hatch lock problem
09-21-2014, 09:46 AM
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hatch lock problem
I'm having a little problem opening the hatch to my 92 rs.. when I push down on the switch the hatch rises just a little but does not open.. it goes back down..I used to be able to open the hatch with the key.. but not anymore.. I don't think it's the motor nor the struts.. I think it has something to do with the lock.. problem is I don't know how to get to the locking mechanism with the hatch not being able to open.. anyone experienced this before?!?
09-21-2014, 01:36 PM
#2
Re: hatch lock problem
I'm having a little problem opening the hatch to my 92 rs.. when I push down on the switch the hatch rises just a little but does not open.. it goes back down..I used to be able to open the hatch with the key.. but not anymore.. I don't think it's the motor nor the struts.. I think it has something to do with the lock.. problem is I don't know how to get to the locking mechanism with the hatch not being able to open.. anyone experienced this before?!?
When you press the hatch release button on your late 91-92 style pull-down it strarts the "UP" cycle. As the latch assembly rises a plastic lever on the back side of the latch assembly makes contact with a plastic ramp that is attached to the frame of the pull-down unit with 2 small screws. As the lever makes contact with the ramp it rotates to release the latch. Usung the key pulls a cable to rotate this same mechanism to release the latch.
Once you have found a way to get your hatch open remove the reversing switch, then the 3 screws holding the latch assembly to the body and investigate if the plastic lever is still there or not. If it is gone or broken you should replace the latch assembly because it is REALLY difficult to replace the plastic lever and get it to work properly. The reason why is it is held in place with a small rectangular sheet metal push nut which often break if removed. Also the lever has a small coil spring behind it that is tough to replace and get to function correctly. If the lever is in place and in good shape, then look to see if that plastic ramp (that I call the latch release block) is still attached to the back side of the frame with 2 screws. You may be in luck and find that this latch release block has broken or fallen off. That would be a MUCH easier repair than trying to repair the broken plastic lever.
I do have one good used latch assembly in stock at this time if you need one. (link to both the latch release block and latch assy are attached). Look at the photo pf the used latch assembly I've attached and you'll see the plastic lever I'm describing.
Good luck with your repairs.
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...latch-assembly
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...r-91-92-f-body
Lon Salgren
09-21-2014, 10:18 PM
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Re: hatch lock problem
Sorry to hear you waited so long to look into ths problem. It would have been a LOT easier to solve this problem when you were still able to open the hatch with your key. You need to get the hatch open to make the repair.
When you press the hatch release button on your late 91-92 style pull-down it strarts the "UP" cycle. As the latch assembly rises a plastic lever on the back side of the latch assembly makes contact with a plastic ramp that is attached to the frame of the pull-down unit with 2 small screws. As the lever makes contact with the ramp it rotates to release the latch. Usung the key pulls a cable to rotate this same mechanism to release the latch.
Once you have found a way to get your hatch open remove the reversing switch, then the 3 screws holding the latch assembly to the body and investigate if the plastic lever is still there or not. If it is gone or broken you should replace the latch assembly because it is REALLY difficult to replace the plastic lever and get it to work properly. The reason why is it is held in place with a small rectangular sheet metal push nut which often break if removed. Also the lever has a small coil spring behind it that is tough to replace and get to function correctly. If the lever is in place and in good shape, then look to see if that plastic ramp (that I call the latch release block) is still attached to the back side of the frame with 2 screws. You may be in luck and find that this latch release block has broken or fallen off. That would be a MUCH easier repair than trying to repair the broken plastic lever.
I do have one good used latch assembly in stock at this time if you need one. (link to both the latch release block and latch assy are attached). Look at the photo pf the used latch assembly I've attached and you'll see the plastic lever I'm describing.
Good luck with your repairs.
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...latch-assembly
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...r-91-92-f-body
Lon Salgren
When you press the hatch release button on your late 91-92 style pull-down it strarts the "UP" cycle. As the latch assembly rises a plastic lever on the back side of the latch assembly makes contact with a plastic ramp that is attached to the frame of the pull-down unit with 2 small screws. As the lever makes contact with the ramp it rotates to release the latch. Usung the key pulls a cable to rotate this same mechanism to release the latch.
Once you have found a way to get your hatch open remove the reversing switch, then the 3 screws holding the latch assembly to the body and investigate if the plastic lever is still there or not. If it is gone or broken you should replace the latch assembly because it is REALLY difficult to replace the plastic lever and get it to work properly. The reason why is it is held in place with a small rectangular sheet metal push nut which often break if removed. Also the lever has a small coil spring behind it that is tough to replace and get to function correctly. If the lever is in place and in good shape, then look to see if that plastic ramp (that I call the latch release block) is still attached to the back side of the frame with 2 screws. You may be in luck and find that this latch release block has broken or fallen off. That would be a MUCH easier repair than trying to repair the broken plastic lever.
I do have one good used latch assembly in stock at this time if you need one. (link to both the latch release block and latch assy are attached). Look at the photo pf the used latch assembly I've attached and you'll see the plastic lever I'm describing.
Good luck with your repairs.
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...latch-assembly
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...r-91-92-f-body
Lon Salgren
It actually happened this past week.. it was working fine, then from one day to the next it didn't want to open.. tried using the key & nothing.. I think I figured out a way.. just need to wait for a clear sunny day.. it's been pouring over here in south texas.. I'll save the link to the parts just in case I end up needing em.. thanks mr. Lon!!
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