Can anyone help advise a way to open the rear hatch.

Issue being the key switch dose not operate and there is no dash switch in the car..

 

Well as far as I know there isn't a switch for the rear hatch but a button. My car has it on the left side of the steering wheel it's just a small nothing special button.
Why doesn't your key switch not work? If it's due to the electric motor I'm not sure what the correct approach should be then.

 

The key switch turns freely to the right and dose nothing in the way of releasing the catch for the hatch..

There is no button ("dash switch") for an electric release. due to a hack job interior from a PO


The car is being parted out and I'll break the thing open if I have too but I rather find a gentler solution if at all possible.. If its has an electric release then I should be able to find some wires to jumper and get it open but need some guidance in the right direction.

 

yes, there is a way. crawl to the rear compartment area, pull the carpet/panel in front of the rear latch. follow the rod from the key cylinder to the latch. I cant describe what it is but you have to pull a pin or slide it to release the hatch

 

Great! so it is possible, thank you!

 

or take the passenger side tail light off reach in and pull the rod to the right

once you have lens off let me know how much you'd like for it if it's in good shape

 

thanks for the tip. both lenses are sold already.

 

bummer ... then just reach in and pull the rod that's how I was hoping the hatch on mine in the paint booth today

 

Not all cars came with the electric hatch release. It was not an option on early "S" cars. You can still find release mechanism's both with and without it. If your key turns freely, it sounds like the rod is disconnected at one end or the other. Pull up the rear verticle carpet and you should be able to actuate it by hand or reinstall the rod so that the key clyinder works again.