I just bought an '84 Trans am, so you'll all probably be hearing about my problems in other threads, anyways...
the lock for the rear hatch is busted and you can no longer put a key into it, the hatch release on the instrument panel also isnt working, does anyone have ideas as to how I could open my hatch?
thanks,
Jacob

 

ITS HARD BUT U HAVE TO CLIMB IN THREW THE REAR SEAT POP OUT THE REAR PANEL AND USE NEEDEL NOSE PLYERS TO TURN THE LOCK FROM THE BACK

 

ah... bummer... the interior is dirty still from sitting for 2 years.. and the t-top bag is stuck in there (im not sure how.. last owner glued? taped?)
Thanks a bunch, i'll probably try it this saturday

 

I don't think you can remove the rear panel while the hatch is closed, because the latch for the hatch goes through the rear panel. You could drill out the old lock and get a replacement lock and key from Napa, which is about $5.

 

If its a stick shift you have to pull the parking brake up before the button works. You should be able to hot wire the release at the button or along the driver's door under the edge of the carpet.

Manually I don't see how you can get in there without busting up either the interior trim panel or the center panel between the tail lights.

 

ACCLR8N, that sounds like the best idea.
But, no, you don't have to damage anything to remove lock cylinder from the outside, it can easily be drilled out.

 

the car is an automatic, and right now there is no engine, but i dont see how that would effect the functionality of the hatch release

 

The center piece between the tail lights is held on by the tail lights which are held on by wing nuts...under the rear trim panel. Which the striker passes through.
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How are you supplying power to the interior with the engine out? The feeds are hooked to the starter.

 

i connected the wire that normally connects to the starter striaght to a battery, and everything else works (with the exception of the front right headlight, but i've dealt with this problem on my '95 bird)

 

i had this problem myself, you climb back there, and take off the rear panel, ive done it, and no it dont come out with the hatch closed, but you have to bend the panel out from the passenger side, drivers side does nothing, so dont bother, passenger only, pull it out enough to get your arm in there, and feel for a black cable, not a wire, but a rubber coated cable, and pull on it, its not more than like 4 inches from the middle, just pull it and push up on the hatch with your back, and have someone else hold it while you get out. thats the way i used, no reason y it wont for you