just bought another 91 yesterday and the hatch is stuck closed but in the upmost position. is there a relatively decent way i can unlatch the hatch and replace the hatch motor?

the lock in the rear is broke so the obvious is out of the question and the switch for the rear motor doesn't seem to work correctly so i'm assuming the motor is dead.

i'm ok with cutting up the interior pannel as i can't get too the top screws since the hatch is locked but i don't want to have to hack up the rear sheet metal to get to anything else.

any suggestions?

thanks!

 

Assuming the 91 is a late 91 (tan plastic frame) as opposed to the early 91 (metal frame). There is a small black piece on the back of the frame which trips the latch release on the way up. If that's broken or missing it won't unlatch on the up cycle.

Lon

 

interesting to know... i'll have to use a dremel and cut off the rear interior pannel in the morning, we shall see.

 

Sounds like youre gonna need to destory the inner plastic piece and unscrew the 4 bolts holding the motor. Then you can lift the hatch with the engine attached to it.

 

Your gonna have him going crazy trying to find that fourth mounting bolt. Regardless of which of the two 1991 styles of pull-down motor he has, there are only three that mount the frame to the body.

Lon

 

lol... luckily i knew that much. thanks guys i was affraid i'd have to hack the pannel but it's better then nothing!

 

I figured you did, but these posts are read by others that might not. You may be able to pop it by removing the hatch light if yours has one. I know you can on the early 91 style. For that version you remove the 10mm screw that attaches the solenoid release or manual release to the latch assy. Then inside the square hole you can rotate the exposed tang CCW to pop the hatch.

Lon

 

appreciate it!