Automatic hatch openers
 

Hello all,

My auto openers on both sides engage when I attempt to open the hatch (I can hear them working - groaning really), but the hatch does not open.

Advice on if I can mechanically repair the openers or need to replace them in totum?

any experience on the cost of fixing these / replacing them? Thanks, John

the motors work which is good,
open the hatch and look down, you'll see the 2 10mm bolts which hold the release arm, loosen these and move it up or down to realign it
you may need to do this a couple times to get it just right

I used the same nichols tip that was posted by arclight53 and found that my upper latch was cracked on both sides. I replaced the upper latch with a used one and it now works great.

replace the catch and plunger assy.. did the same on mine and all the adjusting in the world only made it work temporarily.. been replaced for a few months and it's been flawless :)

easy to do too - about a 2 beer project at most :)

if it groans and slows down as it runs - it is probably not adjusted correctly - probably means someone already screwed with it (and really had no clue...)

Both hatch opener pulls operate the single motor the same way - it doesn't mater which you use.

To test properly you must activate the motor with the hatch already open. if is still strains ~the same way - the motor is miss-adjusted. loosen the bolts on the tool area center support and move it (up or down so it cycles smoothly. Observe the cam in the open hatch socket that releases the locking pawl on the upper part. it needs to deploy into the receiver each cycle - does it appear to be working?

Is the hatch lock damaged in any other ways - lower rubber surround, cracks in upper or lower hatch parts, locking pawl has obvious wear from the cam? cam is loose, motor release arm attachments are loose? hatch is still loose when shut? etc?

There are several wear items that can be worked around - cracks in the housings will usually continue to deteriorate. I'd evaluate what you have before deciding to change both out... this is not foolproof either and alignment of the locking parts is awkward... its also hundreds of dollars to replace new and you have to rekey if the upper need to be swapped out... replacing with used is a crapshoot - the replacement may have different wear/failure issues... not wise.

Until you know whats up you might end up replacing the wrong part - it could be the upper or lower part - and you probably only need one of them. In any case some simple adjustments may cure the problem or at least delay when you may need to replace anything.

Alan