Hatchback wont pop open

Post by **bboybuya** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

I have a 89' 240SX hatchback and the hacth release doesn't pop open. It's a real pain having someone to hold the lever so I can access my trunk. Help!Peace.

Post by **rschwalbe** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

I have the same problem! Let me know if you get an answer to this one! Although, I have been working around the 2nd person by either wedging something under when I lift it or jerk it real hard, let it down easy then go open it!

Let's hope someone has an answer to this cause I sure would like to fix mine too!!

Post by **themadscientist** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

the struts are probably too weak to force the lid open when you pull the lever. If you have help the hatch up that's likely what the problem is and the gas struts need to be replaced.

Post by **khmaikid** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

yes all 240sx's I assume are the same 2 person operated because the latch dosent pop and stay popped.

Post by **rschwalbe** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

Sounds like a plan--thanks--I will go buy some new ones!

Post by **bboybuya** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

It's not just the shocks, when I was cleaning my turnk a lever came off the hatch lock assembly. Wish I knew how to put it back!

Post by **themadscientist** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

My wife's 180 does the same thing. The little plastic nut holding the gas door latch broke too. I was using a spare tire wingnut fed in from the trunk to keep it closed for a month!

Post by **ricebike** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

k there was a thread on this a while back...

either extend the rubber bumpstops w/ some felt pads that u put underneath wooden chair legs so they wont scratch up the floor. but not too many to keep a weather-tite seal around the door of the hatchback...or

there is a stricker adjustment to take up the slack of the slowly streching cable... i don't have a scanner, but request pages BF-8 to BF-11 on my 1989 240sx FSM

Post by **Thee 240sx Owner** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

My 89 240sx has the exact same problem... it must be one of those... Japan ran out of parts for the trunk deal... i'm bout to replace my struts with a motorized one so i won't have to worry bout having to call mommy to help open it

Post by **SquirrelZ** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

Pardon my stupidity please. I searched the forums and this thread is the closest I could find that relates to the issue I am having.

My gas door won't open via my lever anymore. It works fine for the trunk, but I have to pop the trunk open and pull the spring to the gas door every time I refuel.

I assume it is cable linked, but is this something I can fix myself or do I need to take it to the shop for repair?

Post by **NISTECH** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

at the lever next to your seat pull the carpet back along the door sill. loosen the 10mm bolts and slide the assembly back as far as possible and tightne it down and see if it opens the door. if this doesnt help you will need to replace the whole cable.

Post by **SquirrelZ** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

Thanks, that did the trick.

Post by **Dal Locke** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

I had the problem where the hatch release did not pop the hatch back open. The problem started when I forced the hatch closed when a bunch of junk was overloaded in the back. That forced the adjustment on the release in the back to go down. I went to the junk yard unnecessarily and relplaced it only to realize I could have adjusted the old one and everything would have been fine. Oh well hope this helps someone else. Just remove the plastic part covering the access to the adjusting bolt and re-adjust it. It should then pop up a little when the release button is pulled.

Post by **crzycav86** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

Well i fixed my hatch today(it would have taken about 2 minutes).

I pretty much did what ^--he said.(I think)

Baically you remove that plastic cover, then loosen the two top nuts that cover the lock. Then push the whole lock assembly down.(It should go down about 3 mm.) Then retighten the two nuts.. and you're done!

I never would have thought of this if my dad hadn't butted in while I was working on the car, and he solved the problem in a few minutes.

Post by **w1ngzer0** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

lol hmmm sounds very confusing... well my hatch doesn't pop when i put the key in or when i press the leaver. does it have to do with eather one of thoughs? and my hatch doesn't stay open if the car moves a little bit

Post by **Dal Locke** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

The way it works is when you shut (slam) the hatch, the hook reciever mechanism on the car end engages the hook on the hatch under pressure. When you pull the lever or turn the key (same function) the release forces the hatch up because it is under pressure. Then one can lift if by hand all by ones self without momma's assistance. ha ha ha

That should make the cool pop sound you will hear when you pull the lever or insert the key and turn it. Just adjust the mechanism on the car side so that when you close the hatch it is under pressure. You may have to play with it for awhile. If you hydralic lifters are out if may not pop either or stay up. Not staying up would be a good indication they are worn out.

Good luck,

Post by **crzycav86** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

Its really easy... I'll try to elaborate.

Remove that plastic cover. That's easy enough right?

Then locate 2 screws that are on the lock cover. These are the two screws that near the top(there are 2 at the bottom that you don't do anything with)

Loosen these two bolts.

Push down that lock cover(the one that the screws were screwed into). It'll move down a few millimeters.

Then retighten the screws, and put the plastic cover back on. It's the easiest thing in the world.

Post by **w1ngzer0** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

well... i broke one of the bolts on the latch so now i have to replace the whole thing

. Also the when i poped it open and doesn't open all the way does that have to do with the shocks?

Post by **crzycav86** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

It's not supposed to pop open all the way. It just pops up enough so that you can lift it. The shocks don't have anything to do with popping up the trunk(at least that is how i've observed it).

Post by **w1ngzer0** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

it doesn't open at all? Well i turn it makes the poping noise and it doesn't show its open but i can lift it and stuff. Now even if the car moves a little bit should the hatch close automaticly becuase when i have it open and im getting stuff out or in BAM hits me in the head ****ING herts

Post by **NISTECH** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

replace the shock supports

Post by **crzycav86** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

w1ngzer0 wrote:it doesn't open at all? Well i turn it makes the poping noise and it doesn't show its open but i can lift it and stuff. Now even if the car moves a little bit should the hatch close automaticly becuase when i have it open and im getting stuff out or in BAM hits me in the head ****ING herts

I'm pretty sure thats how it's supposed to work. You gotta unlock it, and lift the trunk open. It doesn't lift up automatically.

**EDIT- ..oh I understand... Your hatch is falling and hitting you on the head. Yeah.. thats probably a problem with the shocks. I thought your hatch wasn't opening with the key/trunk release(problem with my hatch)

Post by **S13DatsunRicer** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

This is one of the easyiest things to fix. If the cable is not broken to the hatch release then its takes 5 minutes, if it is you need a new cable You must lossen the rear trunk latch on the car (not hatch)and move it down about a centimeter( 2 bolts and thats it, lossen them then push the latch down a little). This will hold the trunk tighter to the car wich will make it rattle less and it will pop open when you pull the handle. Hope this helps works great for me. You must first take off the long plastic strip infront of the latch (take of the screws and 2 snaps and it comes right off.

Post by **w1ngzer0** » Fri Apr 04, 2003 4:27 pm

ok... well like i said before my bolt broke so now i have to replace the latch. Damn weak metal. Now i need to replace the shocks and latch.

Hatchback wont pop open

Hatchback wont pop open

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