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Rear hatch not opening correctly

BuickGN

BuickGN

TTA# 130
I'm having problems withthe rear hatch opening correctly. I turn the key and the motor lifts it until it gets to the top and then it sucks the hatchback down. The only way to open it is as the motor is lifting it up you put your fingers in and start lifting. After that you have to push the hatchback up as it is not even close to going up by itself. Someone suggested that the hatch shocks need to be replaced. Should the shocks be strong enough to lift the hatchback up without any help?
 
New hatch shocks may help but not cheap if I remember correctly. If they keep the hatch up they are not completly wore out. If you still have the stock wing they are very heavy and helping it raise is normal. The after market wings from hawks are alot lighter and can raise by themself.
 
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What about the motornot letting go of the hatch when trying to open? Is that a weak shock problem or a motor release problem?
 
I thought when you push the trunk release button or use the key, the latch releases instantly & the struts take over from there. Once released my hatch starts lifting before the latch motor is fully up. But, I also have the lighter spoiler on it too.... DontKnow:
 
My have to cut elec when at top center, then take a look at what isn't re-leasing. I've always been suspicious of that part failing for the last 20 yrs. I'm going to the junkyard to find operational pieces, I don't think you can buy these any longer.
 
Does anyone how it is supposed to open. I just here how everyone's does work and not the correct way it should work with the old spoiler ? I do need the new spoiler anyways so I guess I should just wait till I get that till I go further. Does anyone have the part number for the rear hatch motor? Might try to pick one up anyways in case I can find one and pack it away.
 
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Vik,

One of the first things I replaced on the car was the hood and hatch struts. Of course, I bought the car back around '95 so it's been a while since they've been replaced. FYI, if you're going to change them make sure someone is helping you and holding the hatch with BOTH hands! It's heavier than you think! I also changed the hatch motor at one point. It really didn't need a complete replacement but the plastic guides on the original were in bad shape. At the time there wasn't too many options for rebuilding them, just replacing. I always had the same issue with that car. Open the hatch with the key and lift it up. If you don't do it quickly it will close back down on you.
 
That's how it was after the struts and the motor. I figured it was one of those little TTA quirks. I'm not positive if it did the same thing with the original motor. Maybe there's something different with the replacement motor I put in. This could be a good question for Lonnie who makes replacement parts for the trunk & headlight motors. Anyone got his e-mail or web site?
 
If you have your original spoiler on it chances are it's a combo of the weight of the spoiler and semi-worn out shocks. When you unlock the hatch it should be able to lift itself open using the shocks. What is happening with yours is the shocks aren't strong enough to lift once it reaches the top. With you lifting on it when it gets to the top, the latch releases but you're doing the shocks job at that point. If you don't lift the hatch drops a little and the electrical contacts touch and it closes itself.

You can replace the hatch struts for a temporary fix. However, with the stock spoiled the struts aren't going to last long. If it's cracked already and you planned on replacing it, then this is another reason why you should do it. Otherwise, you're going to be probably replacing your struts once every year or two.
 
I was planning toreplace the spoiler. Guess I'll just wait until I do and not worry about it. Thanks for the help. I'm still interested in getting the e-mail of that guy Lonnie for headlight motor parts. My driver side light comes up intermittently.
 
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