The motor works as far as push and pull goes, but it won't release the hatch where I can pull it up. It needs new struts, I know that much. Can anyone shed some light on what might be catching and how to fix this damn thing.
Thanks in advance

 

the hood of my mom's car got stuck like that, so i just had her hold the hood release open, and then i just pulled the hood as hard as i could, and it opened. but as far as the hatch goes, i wouldn't suggest doing that, i just thought i would share my experience.

 

Suggest you get a buddy to help then; Push down as hard as you can against the hatch lid plate (not on the spoiler!) and put the key in the rear hatch key hole, turn key and hold key to un-lock, while keeping pressure on the lid until the lock and latch release. This happened to my Maro, and that's how we got it un-stuck.

When you get it open, you might need to adjust the hatch motor plate. Check it and good luck!

 

this might sound crazy but crawl through your trunk and see if you can see wheres its stuck thats what i had to do when mine broke but i dont have a pull down motor so yours might be different

 

as far as the hood thing goes, same thing happened to my hood, i jsut sprayed some wd40 on the locks and it opens perfectly now...
as far as your hatch motor, mine did the same thing because these teeth things in the motor back there got stuck and then broke when they tried to turn and lock, that may be your problem, if it is your motor is broke and you need to get a new one, i jsut pulled the teeth out, and i manually open and close it now, and it closes great

 

Yep I got it unstuck. Thanx for the help. The struts are worn out so there is no pressure to open it.