Hatch Stopped Popping Open

[RallyEclipse98]

When I open the hatch using the lever inside, the liftgate pops open but when I get out to lift up on it it's not open all the way. I have to use a towel to wedge under the lever inside the car so the hatch releases fully. Once I get the hatch open, the struts work really well so I don't think that's the issue.

It's a 1999 a just started happening about a year ago (so I was told by previous owner). Should I adjust the cable? If so, how?

I searched for an answer and found surprisingly little information. Thanks anyone who can help!

 

[92AWDHX40]

Grab a new cable from dealer or a used one from salvage yard.

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Adjusting won't fix it?

 

[ishnish]

I have the same issue. Wow I can't believe I never posted a question about it either I guess I just got used to living with it. I could use an answer as well.

What I normally do is, if I happen to pop the lever and the hatch doesn't release fully, I go back and pull the lever and release it VERY slowly. This releases the hatch fully. Works every time

 

[Twinturbo120]

Lol I have the same problem. If the hatch doesn't open I just hold the lever open for a couple of seconds and then I just pull the hatch up.

 

[Cooper-97gst]

Same problem here can't get the hatch on my gsx no matter what I do.

 

[Kyle_T]

This is how my rs is. Someone literally has to lift the hatch while you hold the lever up for it otherwise it wont open. Same with the using the key, you have to lift the hatch while turning the key. It wont just pop up by itself. Ive tried adjusting it and nothing really helped.

 

[9D9X]

If you pop off the plastic molding in the trunk to get to the latch, You will see a spring on the latch....That is the problem...The spring gets stretched over time and in tow the latch will not be able to release enough (I'm married I have that problem too..haha..) The Fixes are to get a new spring or to drill a hole below the last hole on the latch to make the spring longer aka tighter and there is a tab on the driver's side that I bent alittle more to the driver's side to get alittle tighter spring pressure......also do not move the whole latch itself. That is for alignment adjusting if your trunk will not shut right. Hope this helps.

O yea I forgot to say that some people have had luck with just bending the tab and did not have to drill a new hole. If the spring is not that far gone yet.

 

[BK85]

Same problem. But my fix was to go to the junk yard and get a newer rubber gasket that runs around the whole hatch. Mine had just worn enough so that when I pulled the lever there wasn't enough pressure to hold the lid open far enough to clear the latch when I released the lever.

BK85

 

[RallyEclipse98]

If you pop off the plastic molding in the trunk to get to the latch, You will see a spring on the latch....That is the problem...The spring gets stretched over time and in tow the latch will not be able to release enough (I’m married I have that problem too..haha..) The Fixes are to get a new spring or to drill a hole below the last hole on the latch to make the spring longer aka tighter and there is a tab on the driver’s side that I bent alittle more to the driver’s side to get alittle tighter spring pressure......also do not move the whole latch itself. That is for alignment adjusting if your trunk will not shut right. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the helpful reply!

Same problem. But my fix was to go to the junk yard and get a newer rubber gasket that runs around the whole hatch. Mine had just worn enough so that when I pulled the lever there wasn't enough pressure to hold the lid open far enough to clear the latch when I released the lever.

BK85

Wow, that would have been my last guess.

 

[ishnish]

Sorry to get off topic but 9D9X, is that seriously your lambo in your avatar? Lol. I noticed what I think is a dsm behind it so I just had to ask

 

[9D9X]

Yeah I know.. But I also have the black 99gsx behind it and the white 91 foxbody beside it.. does that make it better...

 

[daren_p]

It can also be the hatch struts themselves. My hatch hadn't popped properly for years, I'd pull the lever once, go pull up on the hatch (which would still be latched), have to go back & pull the lever for a second time, then was able to lift the hatch. Struts seemed fine for years but they finally got to the point where they wouldn't hold the hatch up in cold weather, so I replaced them.

With the new ones installed, you'll probably notice how weak your origionals are. After the replacement my hatch now opens fine, no other adjustments were made.

 

[white92talontsi]

It can also be the hatch struts themselves. My hatch hadn't popped properly for years, I'd pull the lever once, go pull up on the hatch (which would still be latched), have to go back & pull the lever for a second time, then was able to lift the hatch. Struts seemed fine for years but they finally got to the point where they wouldn't hold the hatch up in cold weather, so I replaced them.

With the new ones installed, you'll probably notice how weak your origionals are. After the replacement my hatch now opens fine, no other adjustments were made.

Ding ding ding. 99% of the time when the hatch won't "pop" open it is because the struts are bad.

 

[ishnish]

I just think it's freaken' awesome that you own a lambo man

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Hmm my struts do have a little surface rust on them so it would be nice to replace anyway. $60 bucks for a pair though.. hmm.

 

[9D9X]

I just think it's freaken' awesome that you own a lambo man

Thanks man.. You will never believe it but that was my wedding present..Crazy wife..Love that woman..

Also yes it could be your stuts too.. I would just check that spring and see if it is still somewhat tight before you buy the stuts..save money for go fast stuff..but if they are rusted or will not hold the hatch up then yes I would buy new ones...

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Thanks man.. You will never believe it but that was my wedding present..Crazy wife..Love that woman..

Your wife have a sister!?!

 

[kleenf4i]

defiantly the struts unless the locking latch is binding up.

 

[ishnish]

^^

Thats awesome man I'm happy for you! And envy you! Lol. Not for the fact that you have a lambo but moreso the fact that you found a woman who loves you so much. Definitely hard to find a good hearted woman these days. I hope my good morals pay off later and find someone that loves me that much .

 

[Arnie]

When I bought my Eclipse the hatch wouldn't open. So I went to the yard got a lever for the gas/hatch. Fixed the problem. Next issue was the wire/cable kept popping off. So I reconnected it to the lever. Kept pulling and making sure it stayed. It worked, then when I opened the hatch, I found out the struts didn't hold/open. So I had my Uncle lift the hatch when I pulled the lever. I ended up buying new hatch lift gates for about 40$ on amazon. Trust me it will save you money and it is also the same part as those from O'reily / Auto zone. Haven't had an issue after changing the lift gates.

Hope this helped out.

If you pop off the plastic molding in the trunk to get to the latch, You will see a spring on the latch....That is the problem...The spring gets stretched over time and in tow the latch will not be able to release enough (I'm married I have that problem too..haha..) The Fixes are to get a new spring or to drill a hole below the last hole on the latch to make the spring longer aka tighter and there is a tab on the driver's side that I bent alittle more to the driver's side to get alittle tighter spring pressure......also do not move the whole latch itself. That is for alignment adjusting if your trunk will not shut right. Hope this helps.

O yea I forgot to say that some people have had luck with just bending the tab and did not have to drill a new hole. If the spring is not that far gone yet.

Very correct. Forgot to state, remove the center panel in the cargo area and then I pulled the lever and had my uncle check the mechanism. If you hear the click open and make noise then yours should be fine. If it doesn't move or gives a tad bit of effort you need to find a donor mechanism. It isn't that hard to change. Also if you want to make sure it works, grab a flat head and move the mechanism back while someone moves the lever to see if any movement.


Hope this helps out!

-Arnie

 

[kleenf4i]

I hope my good morals pay off later and find someone that loves me that much .

Love is not determined by material and money, thats probably the worst statement Ive heard today.

 

[ishnish]

Never said it was. Which is why I stated that I envy the guy for having such a loving wife not for having a wife that can buy him expensive stuff. It was probably just her way of saying you can't put a price on love. I'd easily give up my dsm or any other belonging I have for a significant other that loves me more than anything.

Sorry if you misinterpreted what I said

 

[9D9X]

^^

Thats awesome man I'm happy for you! And envy you! Lol. Not for the fact that you have a lambo but moreso the fact that you found a woman who loves you so much. Definitely hard to find a good hearted woman these days. I hope my good morals pay off later and find someone that loves me that much .

Thanks man...Yes it is hard to find. I got lucking in finding someone with a good heart and loves me as much as I love her. Remember its a give and take and you have to work at it...But having a good heart is the biggest part in trusting someone with your life...aka marriage.. not a sirmen just a thought..

 

[kleenf4i]

Never said it was. Which is why I stated that I envy the guy for having such a loving wife not for having a wife that can buy him expensive stuff. It was probably just her way of saying you can't put a price on love. I'd easily give up my dsm or any other belonging I have for a significant other that loves me more than anything.

Sorry if you misinterpreted what I said

gotcha. good deal!