Stuck rear hatch

[astrojohn]

I have a 2000 Astro, with the dutch doors.
I'm having trouble with the rear hatch release.
I had found a bad fuse under the dash (30amp) and replaced it. It worked for 2 days , now I can't get it to open again.
I checked the fuse and it's good.
Is there a manual release lever or cable that I can use to open the darn thing.
Any ideas, beside breaking the glass, will come in handy. Also is there something I need to look at and replace or repair, to get it to work properly again.
I never turn down good advice, so........

[1Gary]

John on my 1994 I had to remove the inside panel the surrounds the window to get to the rods that go across.I don't know if the newer versions are different.Maybe some will chime in that owns something closer to your yr van.

[Wiley]

Do you hear the latch relesing, but nothing happens? Mine sticks intermittently. I find if I push on the lower lefthand corner of the hatch while pressing the button it will release, and I can then open the hatch, though it may take 2 of 3 tries pushing it in while hitting the button and then pulling the door open all at the same time...if that sounds physically possible. If you fix the door, let me know what you did!

[H2OJoe]

I've been having problems with my door locks lately and of course the rear hatch/doors is the worst. I have found that if I use the key and unlock the hatch then immediately push the exterior button, it will open. Sometimes I can then open the lower doors too. Sometimes I have to "unlock" with the key again before the lower door lock will open. I think my problem is one of the relays but have other problems to fix before I can get to it. Good luck.

[CaptSquid]

The latches on either end of the upper hatch might be in need of lubrication (lithium (white) grease.). Try pushing in on the upper hatch while operating the switch/key. It might release.

[astrojohn]

Thank goodness that I had the window moulding off the hatch, as I was diagnosing the rear wiper too.
I got the hatch open.
I know the lock solenoid is working, as I can hear it.
The weird thing now, was when I opened and closed it a few times,(stuck) I all at once got a click when I pushed the hatch button, and it released. I did it a dozen times, and then I pulled the hatch down. It didn't work. I got it open, and then it worked. So I looked at the wiring harness and followed it into the van, and everything looks good.
Does the latch solenoid go bad, or is something going wrong with the push button. I've noticed that when I go to the local salvage yards for parts, all the push buttons for the hatch, have been removed. Is this the culprit, or is it the solenoid?

[Wiley]

Maybe it just needs to be lubed, like I said I get similar clicking, but dont necessarily get the release.

[CaptSquid]

The latches on either end of the upper hatch might be in need of lubrication (lithium (white) grease.). Try pushing in on the upper hatch while operating the switch/key. It might release.

[astrojohn]

Update on what's been going on.
I took the solenoid out (the one that unlatches the window) and tested it by hooking it up to 12 volts. It worked every time.
So I took out the push button assembly, and started to test it by hooking it up to a test light, and doing things like turning the key one way or the other. On 1 set of contacts, when I turned the key to the right, I had continuity. On another set, when I turned the key to the left, I got continuity. On the 3rd set, which I'm assuming is the contacts that are supposed to activate the solenoid, nothing.
I even took out the relay on the right rear side of the van and checked that.
Well I bit the bullet, and ordered the push button assembly. $103.00! What a rip off. Beware if you need one.
One of you guys mentioned taking it apart and cleaning it. I tried that first. All I could do is remove the push button from the electric contacts, and the dust disc. There is nothing else to take apart.
The push button worked fine, and the spring behind the disc worked fine. GM is sure getting a premium for a little switch. There must be a lot of problems with that setup.
Before I put everything back together, I'm going to add a 4 or 6 inch leader to each side on the latches, drill a hole through the moulding, and put a key ring through. That way if the damn thing conks out again, I can pull on the rings, and open the hatch. When I get done, I may post pics.
Now for the rear wiper. The only other thing I can think of wrong, is the switch on the dash. I took the wiper out, and it works.
I bought this van for junk price ($400.00) and it's in darn good shape, just a few things wrong that I need to address.

[astrojohn]

I've found the culprit to the hatch problem. After spending $110.00 on a new push button switch, I installed it, but the wiper still didn't work.
I checked for continuity from the switch to the delay switch in the rear hatch. I had power.
I noticed the wiper was in a different location, so I started checking the wiring. When I moved the hatch up and down, it would work.
I started checking the wiring harness, and when I grabbed it, the solenoid for the hatch started clicking.
I pulled the wrapping off the wiring, and found 3 broken wires, and 3 more that were frayed bad. I repaired them, and now everything in the rear works just fine.
Now if I could just find that post that had the complete wiring schematic for a 2003 or 5 astro.
I have a few issues to trace down.

[trip_south]

Hi I know this is an old topic but I believe I'm having a similar problem. When I turn the rear hatch button with the key the doors unlock no problem but when I push in the button to open the hatch nothing happens - no solenoid clicking or anything. From reading this post it seems like the most likely reason is bad wiring? Has anyone come up with any other tips for this problem?

I wish it was as straightforward as one of the actuator arms coming out of the assembly!

[AstroWill]

First check the fuse.

[johnv]

BUMP.
mine has degraded over 3 years till it takes crazy key-wrangling and pumping of the button to get the solenoid to wake up and throw.
I'm buying into your worn-wires thing... can you say WHERE the wires showed the wear?
what do i need to remove/attack to get in there.
I'm ready...

astrojohn
"I've found the culprit to the hatch problem. After spending $110.00 on a new push button switch, I installed it, but the wiper still didn't work.
I checked for continuity from the switch to the delay switch in the rear hatch. I had power.
I noticed the wiper was in a different location, so I started checking the wiring. When I moved the hatch up and down, it would work.
I started checking the wiring harness, and when I grabbed it, the solenoid for the hatch started clicking.
I pulled the wrapping off the wiring, and found 3 broken wires, and 3 more that were frayed bad. I repaired them, and now everything in the rear works just fine."

[AstroWill]

Most likely where they bend, at the hinge of the door. Have you taken your switch apart and cleaned/lubed it?

[WE7X]

Well, my rear hatch suddenly decided to not want to open. It sounds like maybe the unlatch motor/solenoid is failing. I can hear something trying to actuate, when I press the button, but not enough to release the hatch.
I finally removed the inner hatch handle, and trim piece. I can see the linkage, so I tied a small cord around the linkage rod and pulled it toward the passenger side. The hatch opened. The cord will remain until the weather warms up a bit, amd I get time to dig into the innards of the hatch seriously.
It is a bit of a pain to have to crawl inside to get the hatch open, but at least it can be done.
Rod J