My rear hatch won't open. worked fine a couple days ago. It has a pull down motor but of course it doesn't have the power release on the inside. Also will not open with the key. The only thing I can think of is to crawl into the car, pop the light out to access the cable to try and get it to open so I can pull the panel to see what the hell is going on.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

try to disconnect the car battery. The pulldown motor has a built in circuit breaker that will pop if its overloaded. Once voltage is disconnected it will reset. I closed my hatch with my rifle in the way and it never opened again. I took everything apart and unplugged the motor voltage connection (two wire on motor) and it began to work! I think it would have been easier to disconnect the batt... if thats not it you need a new motor,

 

Try pushing down on the hatch as you turn the key. The electric motor shouldn't keep it from opening. It should open even if the motor is unplugged.

 

yeah the cable is stretched a tiny tiny bit. just enough to not pop it with the key

 

On my 91 RS, I had to cut a big hole in the plastic panel and use a flat blade screwdriver to get it to open. The hole has to be right behind the latch. I also had a key, but it would not work.