Fastback hatch doesnt pop-up FIX - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

*radhaz* · 07-04-2003, 07:41 PM

Hey all,
A while back I posted about my hatchback not "popping" up like it should. In order for me to open the hatch I had to turn the key and lift the lid OR pull the lever next to the driver seat and have a friend lift it.

My initial assumption was that there was a spring inside the locking mechanism that was not functioning. Someone being helpful also suggested that my hatch struts may have been the issue. Unfortunately neither of us were right on this.

While working in my hatchback this weekend I noticed that there were two "bumpers" at the lower ends of the hatch. I knew they were there and never thought they could be part of the problem. It turns out they aren't the problem, the problem was the bumpers on the sill that they were supposed to rest on were missing. I bought the car as is and never realized that was all it took to fix.

I hit the local target and picked up some non skid self adhesive bumper stops for the bottom of furniture and put them in. The bumpers were about 1/8" too high so that when the lid closed it didn't sit all the way flush, but after a little finesse all is well and the hatch now springs up when I pull the lever or turn the key.

Total cost of fix: $1.82 for 4 bumpers

If you're having problems with your hatch or trunk check to make sure you have all four "bumper's"!

s13driver · 07-04-2003, 08:16 PM

4 ? which 4 are you talking about and are you sure about that ? mine hatch and as well as my friend's only has 2 total.

*radhaz* · 07-04-2003, 08:37 PM

/boggle, the four im referring two are the two on the underside of the hatch and the two on the "frame" of the sill, that the two bumper's come into contact with.

If you are having no problems and only have two bumpers/bump-stops. Then my rubber bumpers must be so shot that they didn't have enough spring to push the lid up anymore and that by adding the two to the frame I have "band-aided" the problem.

Silverbullet · 07-05-2003, 12:11 PM

mine has never poped... i just kinda turn the key and lift.

Titan · 07-05-2003, 12:37 PM

I had the same problem, except you can fix it for free.

The problem is that the cable used to pop the locking mechanisim was set a little too long in relation to the latch.

The cable has this little metal ball at the very end. When you pull it, the ball pushes the mechanisim to open.

So what you have to do is, take apart the carpeting in the rear of the hatch. (It's all held in by clips)

You will then see the mechanisim. Loosen the main screw that holds it and turn the bracket more towards the passenger side. This will offer less travel on the cable before the metal ball pops the mechanisim.

Problem solved for $0 dollars.

KiDyNomiTe · 07-05-2003, 03:52 PM

how much is this thing supposed to pop up. Cuz mine pops up just a little, then i have to kinda pry it open.

*radhaz* · 07-05-2003, 05:33 PM

Mine never popped period dot end of story. I would turn the key or pull the lever and then have to simultaneously lift the hatch is was a massive PITA.

The "fix" I've found now has the hatch pop-up about 1/4" now at least so that I can do the process one handed

azn_romeox · 07-06-2003, 04:53 AM

The problem with mine was my spoiler. THe stock spoiler was cracked so it being foam. Soaked up tons of water and just stayed there, even on a hot day. ANyways, I ripped off the spoiler and now I can open the hatch.
I didn't get a key when I bought it so

sked707 · 07-09-2003, 04:22 PM

yea mine does the same damn thing too. it used to be coo in the beginning, popping up and all. some good ideas in here...thanx for the tips

Yoshi · 07-09-2003, 05:00 PM

w00t

My SR240 does that :/
It's really annoying, especially when the wife decided to take my car to the grocery store w/o me... she didn't know about the trick of holding the key turned while lifting at the same time I got this when I got home:

hahaha

Radhaz: after putting the lil bumpers in there, is your hatch seal still good? I'd think that might make some gaps for water/wind noise... god knows I don't need any more damn wind noise in my car

Titan: can u take some pix of the cable and what length it should reach to? it's hard to get a visual w/o tearing the backend apart.

07-04-2003, 07:41 PM	#1
radhaz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: SD SoCal / Jax, Fl Posts: 659 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Fastback hatch doesnt pop-up FIX Hey all, A while back I posted about my hatchback not "popping" up like it should. In order for me to open the hatch I had to turn the key and lift the lid OR pull the lever next to the driver seat and have a friend lift it. My initial assumption was that there was a spring inside the locking mechanism that was not functioning. Someone being helpful also suggested that my hatch struts may have been the issue. Unfortunately neither of us were right on this. While working in my hatchback this weekend I noticed that there were two "bumpers" at the lower ends of the hatch. I knew they were there and never thought they could be part of the problem. It turns out they aren't the problem, the problem was the bumpers on the sill that they were supposed to rest on were missing. I bought the car as is and never realized that was all it took to fix. I hit the local target and picked up some non skid self adhesive bumper stops for the bottom of furniture and put them in. The bumpers were about 1/8" too high so that when the lid closed it didn't sit all the way flush, but after a little finesse all is well and the hatch now springs up when I pull the lever or turn the key. Total cost of fix: $1.82 for 4 bumpers If you're having problems with your hatch or trunk check to make sure you have all four "bumper's"! __________________ Need a 96 driver side window switch. Feel free to pm me with a price

07-05-2003, 12:37 PM	#5
Titan Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 421 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I had the same problem, except you can fix it for free. The problem is that the cable used to pop the locking mechanisim was set a little too long in relation to the latch. The cable has this little metal ball at the very end. When you pull it, the ball pushes the mechanisim to open. So what you have to do is, take apart the carpeting in the rear of the hatch. (It's all held in by clips) You will then see the mechanisim. Loosen the main screw that holds it and turn the bracket more towards the passenger side. This will offer less travel on the cable before the metal ball pops the mechanisim. Problem solved for $0 dollars. __________________ Sleep Doesn't Drink Beer

07-05-2003, 03:52 PM	#6
KiDyNomiTe Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chicago Age: 38 Posts: 6,296 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: KiDyNomiTe Feedback Score: 0 reviews	how much is this thing supposed to pop up. Cuz mine pops up just a little, then i have to kinda pry it open. __________________ PROCEED Grip Gambler

07-09-2003, 05:00 PM	#10
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	w00t My SR240 does that :/ It's really annoying, especially when the wife decided to take my car to the grocery store w/o me... she didn't know about the trick of holding the key turned while lifting at the same time I got this when I got home: hahaha Radhaz: after putting the lil bumpers in there, is your hatch seal still good? I'd think that might make some gaps for water/wind noise... god knows I don't need any more damn wind noise in my car Titan: can u take some pix of the cable and what length it should reach to? it's hard to get a visual w/o tearing the backend apart. __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

07-04-2003, 08:16 PM	#2
s13driver Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: BrokenlanD Posts: 625 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	4 ? which 4 are you talking about and are you sure about that ? mine hatch and as well as my friend's only has 2 total.

07-04-2003, 08:37 PM	#3
radhaz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: SD SoCal / Jax, Fl Posts: 659 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	/boggle, the four im referring two are the two on the underside of the hatch and the two on the "frame" of the sill, that the two bumper's come into contact with. If you are having no problems and only have two bumpers/bump-stops. Then my rubber bumpers must be so shot that they didn't have enough spring to push the lid up anymore and that by adding the two to the frame I have "band-aided" the problem.

07-05-2003, 05:33 PM	#7
radhaz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: SD SoCal / Jax, Fl Posts: 659 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mine never popped period dot end of story. I would turn the key or pull the lever and then have to simultaneously lift the hatch is was a massive PITA. The "fix" I've found now has the hatch pop-up about 1/4" now at least so that I can do the process one handed

07-06-2003, 04:53 AM	#8
azn_romeox Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 288 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The problem with mine was my spoiler. THe stock spoiler was cracked so it being foam. Soaked up tons of water and just stayed there, even on a hot day. ANyways, I ripped off the spoiler and now I can open the hatch. I didn't get a key when I bought it so

07-09-2003, 04:22 PM	#9
sked707 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Cali Posts: 431 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	yea mine does the same damn thing too. it used to be coo in the beginning, popping up and all. some good ideas in here...thanx for the tips