my '92 Firebird rear hatch w/ pull-down unit had been working properly until .... it was returned to me w/ key as shown;

the key wont turn and is just short of the release position.Removing the rear panel is impossible with the lid closed.The car has no interior release button etc.
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Cheers.
"Mad" Matt "J"
'92 Firebird

 

wow wtf happened? btw i wouldnt let who ever used your car, use it again lol. hmm did you try to just pull it out? could try to spray some wd40 around the key, maybe the lock got stuck...or use pliyers to turnt he key to release the hatch.

 

DARKmj16;
btw i wouldnt let who ever used your car, use it again lol.
I hear you there!
Since I wasn't there when this happened I'm not sure what all was/ wasn't done and I'm not sure what to think.
Tried the WD40, pliers, "force it" already as well most related recommendations from the forums. Crawled into the trunk area to search for access to the pull-down unit / lock but the panel cannot be removed w/out having the hatch up (there's some for-thought G.M.!). Hoping someone here has been in similar circumstance.Right now I'm learning to live w/out a hatch.
"MM"

 

lol ya the top of the panel has screws in it. hmm. well if you have another key and dont mind repaceing the lock...tie the key to something (like a tree) and drive off... then the inside of th elock will be open and maybe a screw driver can make it work. but i would ask some ppl b4 doing it, as im not to sure what could happen doing that way.

 

DARKmj16;
well if you have another key and dont mind repaceing the lock...tie the key to something (like a tree) and drive off... then the inside of th elock will be open and maybe a screw driver can make it work.

we must have gone to the same school of auto mechanics ...
it may come down to that but if I can avoid it I'd rather save the $$ for the next thing that needs to be fixed on it.One project at a time.
"MM"

 

lol i doubt it, my auto teach was a complete moron, he holds 4 ASE and still dropped a car on himself.

 

You can access the hatch motor if you have a courtesy light in your center hatch panel.Just pry out the light assembly and you can either pop the hatch by turning the mechanism with a flat bladed screwdriver or by tugging on the cable that goes from the motor to the lock cylinder

 

oya i forgot bout that, try this first lol.

 

Done this a few time myself. Really handy to open hatches in the boneyard with no key available.

 

Sure enough ... hatch popped right up. Now to fix the screwed up lock mechanism and get the key out of it. If it would just stop raining ....thanx for the help.

 

No problem...Glad to hear it worked for you

 

Here we go again .... have the lock assembly on my desk w/ key still stuck in it. Just back from the local locksmith who quoted $25.00 to remove it.
Any one have any ideas how to get the key out before I'm forced to pay his extortion or just destroy the thing trying to get it out or just destroy it in a rage?
()
Thanx!
"MM"
bad pics.the key is stuck all the way to the right

 

is there any way to take the lock apart?

 

As far as I can tell the key has to be out in order to disassemble it.Great.
If the key would turn (it wont) it would slide right out then the cover would turn and come off then the rest rotates and comes out. Other than drilling, cutting or .45 caliber shooting the key off I don't know how to remove it.
I've tried to force it, clean it out, listen for some loose parts (nothing) even dragged a magnet hoping to loosen or move whatever is out of alignment inside the barrel. No results.
Hoping to some help before I have to destroy one of the parts in order to get it apart.

 

Is it turned back to the in /out position, they don't often come out if stuck in the turn.

Id ask is it $25 to remove it and have both the key and lock work right once done or just get out the key.

Cause you could destroy the lock n save the key yourself.