Not sure if this is the appropriate board or not. I have an 87 camaro. I have power to the rear hatch release button, I've even "hot wired" the release wire bypassing the switch. Wont open and I don't have the correct key to open it manually. Is there any other way other than electronically or with the key to get that hatch open. (*without calling a locksmith)

 

your switch might be bad... I dont see why it wouldnt work if you have power going to it.

If you can fit in the rear hatch area than there might be a way to pry it open.... but that could lead to breaking more stuff

Just get another switch first. You should be able to find one at your local junkyard, or thirdgenranch.com definitely has one.

 

Switch is GOOD. Put a DMM on it. I bypassed the switch and ran hot directly into the actuator side of the circuit and nothing happened. So either the solenoid back there at the hatch is toast or there is something blocking the voltage to trigger the release. I see on 5 speed trans the parking brake must be set. So I tried that and got nothing.

Any other ideas? I suspect a bad ground at the solenoid but cant get to it without getting the darn hatch open. Is there any way to physically release the hatch?

 

Open the passenger door. Lean the front seat forward. Laydown the rear seat back. Crawl onto the folded-down back seats and get your upper body into the rear hatch area as far as you can(it's a tight squeeze). Remove the rear interior trim screws(the colored large plastic ones) on the passenger side of the trim panels. Pull back the passenger side of the rear trim panel(this will be difficult because the abs plastic is thick and somewhat rigid, and you'll have to curl it towards you a lot, also you can only use one hand to do this because you'll have to use your other hand to reach behind it to grasp the hatch release cable(black and looks similar to a hood release cable); but no worries, the plastic panel won't crease or break, so don't be timid when pulling it back). When you've gotten your hand on the release cable, pull it in the direction of the passenger side until it "pops" the hatch open. Raise your body upwards to push the hatch open, but easier if you have someone outside to grab the hatch and raise it immediately after you've popped it.

Obviously, you won't want to do this more than one time. So be prepared to repair whatever needs fixing right then-and-there, so you don't have to do this again.

 

If you have a rear cargo light you can pry out the light cover and access the pull cable.It will be on the left hand side.Just stick your finger in there and tug.I do this at the junkyard all the time.

 

Or pay a locksmith $25 bucks to make a key!

Whats your time and aggrivation worth???????????

 

smack the solenoid like you would a starter solenoid, when it releases use white lithium grease on the moving parts.

 

I'm a world class dumba$$. I read on some other thread to try pushing the lid down and turning the key. That and some WD40 worked like a charm! Imagine that. It still does not work with the console button release, gotta figure that out later. But at least I got it open.