Rear hatch lock jammed.

[AviP]

Yesterday, I tried to to open the rear hatch and it seemed jammed. The key goes inside the lock but I can't get it to turn. Any ideas?

 

[Gerald Levin]

I've never had this happen to me but my door locks for my house stick occasionally and I just spray WD40 into it and they work again. Nothing to lose.

 

[AviP]

I tried WD40, waited an hour and nothing happened. Any ideas?

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Have you tried pushing the hatch down and then try to turn the key at the same time? Just a thought if a latch lever is worn a bit and not releasing smoothly.

 

[Ulysses]

compare your spare key teeth to the teeth on the key you use all the time. Might be the key is worn.

 

[kcobean]

Hey Avi,
Does the hatch open if you pull the lever on the drivers side floor? There are two cables running to the latch that actually holds the glass shut. If they're both stuck it's the latch, if the lever works, I'd say it's the actual lock cylinder that's sticking. You might try having someone hold the lever in the "up" (actuated) position while you turn the key. that should take the pressure off the cable that runs from the lock cylinder to the latch.

 

[Ulysses]

Hey Avi,
Does the hatch open if you pull the lever on the drivers side floor?

He has a '97. No hatch release lever.

 

[kcobean]

Hey Avi,
Does the hatch open if you pull the lever on the drivers side floor?

He has a '97. No hatch release lever.

Ah...my bad. He's probably better off. My cable sticks on mine so if I use it, the hatch won't latch closed anymore. What a PITA.

 

[AviP]

Ok, I took all the suggestions. I used WD40 and the spare key and pressed the hatch down while opening. After about 10 attempts that almost broke the key, the hatch opened. It now seems to work fine. Thanks everybody.

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Good news!

I'd consider a dabbing a small bit of grease (i.e. lithium) on the latch catches / loops if would help release the latches.

 

[AviP]

Good point. I'll do it over the weekend.