'94 back hatch

iams1234 · 08-03-2004, 04:35 PM

My dad just bought a '94 xlt and the rear hatch wont open. the handle will turn to release the glass but wont turn the other way to release the hatch. also when you lock the doors the hatch lock wont go down it moves very little then return to original spot. Any ideas on how to release the hatch so I can look at the latch mechinism? Thanks

*Rhett* · 08-03-2004, 05:03 PM

Your best bet is to crawl inside the rear area, remove the watershield (the vinyl plastic on the inside of the rear hatch) and that is the best way to access the lock and handle mechanism. A Haynes manual will help in this removal.

Or, you may be able to open the glass and remove the watershield that way.

The broken rear hatch handle is a fairly common problem once they get some age on them.

liqhx2 · 08-04-2004, 12:09 AM

before you do that try and spray some WD-40 down there and see if it will loosen up first

08-03-2004, 04:35 PM	#1
iams1234 Wannabe Elite Explorer Columbus Grove Ohio '92 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 18 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	'94 back hatch My dad just bought a '94 xlt and the rear hatch wont open. the handle will turn to release the glass but wont turn the other way to release the hatch. also when you lock the doors the hatch lock wont go down it moves very little then return to original spot. Any ideas on how to release the hatch so I can look at the latch mechinism? Thanks

08-04-2004, 12:09 AM	#3
liqhx2 Wannabe Elite Explorer somewhere out there '91 XLT Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 114 Vehicle Specs	before you do that try and spray some WD-40 down there and see if it will loosen up first __________________ 180,000 and still ticking

08-03-2004, 05:03 PM	#2
Rhett Let Them Eat Cake Cape Girardeau, MO 94 Sport 4x4 Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,230 Vehicle Specs	Your best bet is to crawl inside the rear area, remove the watershield (the vinyl plastic on the inside of the rear hatch) and that is the best way to access the lock and handle mechanism. A Haynes manual will help in this removal. Or, you may be able to open the glass and remove the watershield that way. The broken rear hatch handle is a fairly common problem once they get some age on them.