Rear Hatch Release Button Not Working
 

The rear hatch on my '05 coupe will not unlock using the button above the license plate. The button on the dash and the one on the fob both will open it. This started intermittently and I thought it was the fob not being close enough to the car or having a weak battery so I tried the other fob and it wouldn't allow the button to work either. Now the button will not work at all. I have no other fob related issues so I don't suspect weak batteries in either fob. The car is now in storage for the winter so I'm not going to do anything with it until spring. :toetap:

In the meantime, I found that there is a TSB on this problem. It's called REAR HATCH RELEASE BUTTON OPERATION 05-08-66-002 3/21/05 BODY.

Does anyone have a way to give me a hint as to what is contained in this TSB so I may have a chance of fixing it myself? Looks like one other CF poster a while ago indicated the button sticks and he lubricated it but I don't know from reading the post if it did any good or how he did it.

Any thoughts? :bigears

Try visiting here: http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/r...artner=edmunds

I fixed mine myself and then when it was in for an unrelated warranty issue I had them order a new switch and I replaced it. The new switch is supposed to be sealed better but I could not see a difference looking at them. The only reason I had them order one was that it is still under warranty.

The switch is very easy to remove and clean. You simply remove the inside passenger side taillight. Then reach in and unplug the switch. To completely remove it there are clips on the side that when depressed will allow the switch to be removed from the bottom. Once you have it removed simply pry the rubber boot from the bottom of the switch and remove any dirt from the boot and inside the switch. Normally this is all that is required to fix it.

I believe there is a post on here, possibly in the archives that shows pictures of this process.

I found the thread that had the pictures but they are no longer there. At least it has another write up on the removal.

http://http://forums.corvetteforum.c...00&forum_id=74

and another

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=switch

Go in through one of the innermost tail lights. Reach in and disconnect the wiring and then the switch. As I recall it is a squeeze mechanism. I actually bought a replacement first so I could see what the mechanism looked like. I then put the new switch in. After this, I took the old one apart and cleaned it. The problem with the original is that grit gets in the the mechanism allowing the push button to stick in its innermost position. I think Pipedreams also had a thread on this repair, but I cannot find it. This is a simple fix if you are mechanical at all.


Good luck
anothercrisis

Thanks Brett and crisis (and Pipedreams).

I'll do this right away since it's simple enough.

:cheers:

• Service Bulletin #: 05-08-66-002

I'm not sure what is on the TSB. I recently had the same problem and fixed the problem rather quickly. Looking at the back of vehicle I removed the right side (inside) tail light assembly there is a screw just above the tail lamp. Reached into the taillight hole with my arm and disconnected the electrical connector on the back of the switch. Afterwards I pushed the switch keepers (Small tabs on outside switch body towards the front of switch) to allow the switch to push through. Once out I removed the rubber dust cover over the top of the switch and using a piece of tape I pulled the push button itself out of the switch body. I found lots of real fine sand that has jammed up the works in the switch. I cleaned the switch & associated parts. Reassembled and re-installed the switch back in the car. Switch works great. Repair took less then 30 minutes from start to finish.
Good luck!
Bill

Here's an excellent DIY for cleaning this switch.

Try this before spending a bunch of money for new parts/dealer work.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-pictures.html