Rear hatch pops open

[Pinseekers]

Does anybody know how to correct the hatch that pops open while driving?
There appears to be some kind of mechanism that "locks" the latch, but my question is why does it releases it?
A little perplexing, actually it caught me alittle off gaurd the first time and scared the crap out of me, I was on the freeway at the time! Might have been little gremlins


[This message has been edited by Pinseekers (edited 08-04-2001).]

[EugeneYu]

Two lock knob on your hatch are adjustable. Maybe you should scrow them out a little bit longer.

[J1NX3D]

My 924 did that when I first got it. I'd be ripping along at 100kph's and it would open itself up on me. I adjusted the 2 prongs- one each side of the hatch- that go into the body of the car when closed. I shortened them until it wouldn't close, then backed them off a few turns. No more problems

[Pinseekers]

I just noticed that the latches that open to release and close to secure are not properly closing. They are staying a bit apart. I pushed a rod that controls them (I guess) and it closed them. Is there somewhere that I could find an exploded view of the parts of the latching mechanism for the rear hatch?
The prongs that you guys are referring to a catching fine; that is when the latches close all the way!

[foonpyk944]

Help...

my latch doesn't seem to be working properly. Instead of releasing it locks the rear hatch and can not be opened (even with the key).

[carolinus]

On the pre-85 944, two control rods run to the locking mechanism. These rods then go to the latches to lock the lid down. I recommend for the latch not staying shut that you work these rods back and forth and put in some grease. Also, I put a little grease on the two prongs as well.

For the person whose lock is not undoing the latch at all, does the key turn? If the key turns, and the latch does not open, then these two rods have probably come off of the key. Take your back carpet out, and re-attach the rods. If the key is not turning, then maybe something is wrong with the lock, or the two latches are siezed. Then you can go in there and unhook/pull on the two control rods yourself to get the latch open. Troubleshoot from there.

Have a nice day.

[SoCal Driver]

If the two pins have been adjusted too short and you have had to slam the hatch to get it to stay shut then there is just too much back pressure on the pins.

You will have to push down on both pins while turning the key.

If the glass has delaminated at the top by the hinges then the back part of the hatch most likely has shifted sideways and/or back wards and is putting pressure on the hatch clasps/locks. You have to crawl into the back and loosen the two bolts on each latch and then re tighten them. Loosen them both first!