Bought an ''84 GSL-SE a few months back. Overall great condition - just a few pesky problems. One of which is the remote hatch release.

Based on the number of related parts I see on eBay, etc., I'm guessing the remote hatch release is something that commonly quits working on 1st Gen Rx7's.

Can someone give me some tips to isolate the problem? Where do these things typically fail? The release button on the lower dash? Or something to do with the latch itself? I don't want to buy unneeded parts.

I'm not a mechanic, but I'm ok with minor repairs, etc. Any help is appreciated!

 

[QUOTE="Evergreen1965;11931619"]Bought an ''84 GSL-SE a few months back. Overall great condition - just a few pesky problems. One of which is the remote hatch release. Based on the number of related parts I see on eBay, etc., I'm guessing the remote hatch release is something that commonly quits working on 1st Gen Rx7's. Can someone give me some tips to isolate the problem? Where do these things typically fail? The release button on the lower dash? Or something to do with the latch itself? I don't want to buy unneeded parts. I'm not a mechanic, but I'm ok with minor repairs, etc. Any help is appreciated!

 

One additional note: When I open the hatch with the key, it doesn't "pop up" when I turn the key. I have to get my fingers under the bottom of the glass and lift pretty hard. And this is with a new pair if lift cylinders.

 

Sounds like it may be the latch mechanism itself which is too tight to allow the ring on the glass to release smoothly. A few things;

1) when you push the hatch release button - what happens? Do you hear any clicking or buzzing at the rear of the car? If yes, your solenoid release may be fine and the latch mechanism is to blame. If you hear nothing, it might be electrical - so check the fuse, the connectivity to the switch, and then the wiring back to the solenoid.

2) if the solenoid is bad, there are any number of others which can be made to work. Most just use some type of clamping arm to attach to the rod which operates the release mechanism and is rotated by your key, but finding a pick-a-part replacement would be easier in the long run. All SA's and FB's have them.

3) your glass is pretty heavy and it's not going to rise up on it's own - it requires you getting your fingers under the lid to open it, which is normal. Even on my fiberglass Mariah hatch, you have to give it a tug with your fingers to get the gas struts to gently open it the rest of the way, and the fiberglass hatch is only about 25lbs compared to much more for the glass.

Have a look at those things and reply back. Welcome aboard, by the way,

 

I'm surprised to hear you have to lift the Mariah hatch to get it to open correctly, although it's not too amazing considering the geometry of the hatch struts.

LongDuck's list there is pretty comprehensive, just report back to us and we'll get it sorted out!

Also, welcome

 

If your fuse is bad, your gas door release won't work either. Check that first.

fm