Hatch Stuck 1988 924S

[n0va]

The rear hatch of my 1988 924S is stuck closed on one side and the other side doesn’t seem to latch at all. The electric release motor spins and the bars both move and pull the little switches that should in theory release the pin latches. i have tried the key turn and that doesn’t work either. Does anyone know what I can do to get my hatch open?

[djnolan]

The electric hatch release will only work if everything is in near perfect condition.

To open a stuck hatch use the key lock. hold the key open and pound on the hatch with your fist, wiggle it up and down, etc, above the stuck latch. it should open. Then lube the hatch pin receivers, as you wiggle the key.

if this doesn't work, then you will need to crawl inside and loosen the hatch lock bolts to open the hatch, and then lube, and realign and tighten.

[paulzebo]

Like the poster before, you are going to have to crawl in the back and use a 10mm wrench to loosen both hatch locks. When you get the hatch open, have replacement hatch pin repair kit handy. It consists of two new flexible lower guides. Your old ones are dried out, cracked and shifting the guide pins over. The hatch lock has two "claw" pivots and you will have to scrape all the hardened guide material out of the latch. The new guides will fit in a lower groove on the bottom of the latch. I find it was easier to push them in place from the top. Then reinstall and adjust the top. The latches have left and right adjustment and if you eye ball the lock pin with the latch position opening, you should be good to go. i haven't seen them at Pelican but you should check there first since they sponsor this site. Here's a photo of what they look like.