What would cause the release to pop it and work 80% of the time, but the other 20%, you hit the switch and nothing at all happens?

(Have to open it with key when it doesnt work)

Is this a common problem?

 

It could be a bad ground at the body ( unbolt the solenoid from the bracket and re-install ) or it could be a bad connection at the button - or a bad button ( Simply replace it. )

My Guess is that the button is probably just wearing out.

 

sounds right thats what i would try too.

 

When it doesn't work, i can pop it open with key and close it, then go hit the button and it pops perfect though?

 

mine does the same thing, i just replaced my pull down motor and it does this, plus after i start the car i have to pop the latch let the pull down come up then close it again or it sounds like my lid didn't close, i have a spare wire on this new unit that my other didn't have, think that could be my problem.

But it is very annoying having my hatch release only work 80% of the time.

 

It could very well be that way because there is a poor ground at the body. The soleniod gets grounded to the body once it's bolted down. If you slam the hatch - it's possible that it moves the soleniod a little causeing a "good" ground again. Hit a few bumps and you might loose the ground. Try unbolting it and then re-installing to see if that helps !

 

Faded ur lucky mine doesn't work 100% of the time, I got to trace connections to fix it. Later.

 

Everone does have the ground wire installed that goes from the 10mm screw attaching the solenoid to the hatch pull-down unit to the ground location on the body? That wire must be there because the solenoid is electrically isolated from ground by the guides in the track.

Lon