Manual access to rear lift by release lever?
Thread Starter
Joined: 09-19-2017
Posts: 6
From: Sudbury
Manual access to rear lift by release lever?
My rear hatch will not open with the key fob, and GM's so call manual description is very unclear...where to stick the flat tool and how much force is required?
I've contacted GM, they told me to call the nearest dealership and they more than happy to help me! NOT! No has come across this problem, and pay someone $90.00 hour for what I'm quite capable doing my self.
Any one out there had/ have this problem?
Any pictures of where to pry?
I've contacted GM, they told me to call the nearest dealership and they more than happy to help me! NOT! No has come across this problem, and pay someone $90.00 hour for what I'm quite capable doing my self.
Any one out there had/ have this problem?
Any pictures of where to pry?
What or where are you making contact?
Moderator
Joined: 05-01-2014
Posts: 8,512
From: California
Hi Michael, 
to the forums!!
Just to be clear, in case you just bought your HHR, the fob does not "open" the liftgate, the fob only unlocks it. Once unlocked, there is a button above the license plate that electrically operates the latch, allowing the liftgate to be opened.
to the forums!!Just to be clear, in case you just bought your HHR, the fob does not "open" the liftgate, the fob only unlocks it. Once unlocked, there is a button above the license plate that electrically operates the latch, allowing the liftgate to be opened.
Moderator
Joined: 05-01-2014
Posts: 8,512
From: California
OK then, history is good to know. Here is the how-to.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-release-8540/
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-release-8540/
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,539
From: Fredericksburg,VA
I asked a couple of questions that I thought would help. No answer.
Has anyone been playing with the under hood fuse box, doing things like filling empty fuse slots? Have you checked the fuse and the relay?
Fuse #10 & #18, Fuse #11 MUST be empty.
"Really....I've had this since new.
Going on 11 years."
Does that mean you have never opened the lift gate in 11 years? Or it used to pop open when you unlocked it? Maybe an attempt at sarcasm, assuming the internet is aware that you are not new to the car?
Perhaps you could use more words so we can help.
The 2006 Owner Manual is a bit sketchy, here is the picture from 2008,
Has anyone been playing with the under hood fuse box, doing things like filling empty fuse slots? Have you checked the fuse and the relay?
Fuse #10 & #18, Fuse #11 MUST be empty.
"Really....I've had this since new.
Going on 11 years."
Does that mean you have never opened the lift gate in 11 years? Or it used to pop open when you unlocked it? Maybe an attempt at sarcasm, assuming the internet is aware that you are not new to the car?
Perhaps you could use more words so we can help.
The 2006 Owner Manual is a bit sketchy, here is the picture from 2008,
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,091
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Welcome to the site, these latches do corrode and can eventually seize up, perhaps when you pop it open give it a spray of lube .
Here's how another member got the hatch open
Here's how another member got the hatch open
Just FYI, I finally got the hatch open using the hidden latch release. Getting the cover off was easy, but I never noticed that it was there. Finding the latch release with a screw driver was NOT easy! I used a flashlight and a dental mirror and saw a little silver thingymabob. Pushing that did the trick! Once open, I was able to remove the entire panel. I checked the latch mechanism and it was fine, it ended up being the touch pad. Getting it out proved to be a task in itself, but removing the hatch panel wasn't necessary.
Does anyone know the part number for the touch pad? Are there any aftermarket parts for this or do I need to go through my dealer? I tried looking it up on Rockauto and found no listing.
Does anyone know the part number for the touch pad? Are there any aftermarket parts for this or do I need to go through my dealer? I tried looking it up on Rockauto and found no listing.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-13-2017
Posts: 180
From: Fairborn, OH
I am considering installing a button on the inside of the hatch, wired in parallel with the touchpad.
Should be easy. I don't know if the touch pad is normally open or closed (electrically).
I suspect it is a N.O. Either way, it wouldn't be a hard mod to do.
A music wire push rod attached to that little lever and fed out through the panel would be even better. It would be pretty tricky to drill the lever without disassembling the hatch, though.
It might also be doable to make a pushrod and a new cover for that access hole, with a tube that guides the rod to the lever but isn't actually attached to it. (If this makes any sense you're a pretty good reader.)
Should be easy. I don't know if the touch pad is normally open or closed (electrically).
I suspect it is a N.O. Either way, it wouldn't be a hard mod to do.
A music wire push rod attached to that little lever and fed out through the panel would be even better. It would be pretty tricky to drill the lever without disassembling the hatch, though.
It might also be doable to make a pushrod and a new cover for that access hole, with a tube that guides the rod to the lever but isn't actually attached to it. (If this makes any sense you're a pretty good reader.)
