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Topic: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch (Read 778 times) previous topic - next topic

U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

I went to lift the motor hatch and only one side will unlatch.  Any suggestions on how to get to the handle or latch for a repair would be helpful.  The latch on the passenger side unlatches, its the one on the drivers side that is not unlatching. 

Thanks

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #1 –
Look at each upper corner of the vent grill on the engine hatch and you will see the cables to the latch releases.  You can stick your fingers through there (or a hook) and pull on the cable to get it to release. Over time some adjustment is required.

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #2 –
Also besides adjustment at some point they are affected by road dirt etc and the little cam lock mechanism does not rotate enough to allow the lever holding pin to release it. I got fed up with cleaning ours and decided to make a rubber "box" to cover that whole latch and fastened it too the fibreglass above and behind the torque rod that goes from one side to the other. This has completely stopped the latch from getting dirty for many years. It seals it off as this box mates with the back of door when it is closed.
I will take a couple of pictures later and post them in case anyone is interested in doing it as it is simple to make. I used small pieces of industrial belting to make them
JohnH

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #3 –
I've had that issue as well. The only thing I can say is keep working at it. Pushed in on the hatch while you're opening the catch and you should be okay. Once open lubricate everything and clean well. I'm sure there are other ways to open it and if you look and search on the forums you may find other ideas. You may have to open the bed up and crawl in and open it from the inside but I'm sure there are other ways to do it before you get to that point. Good luck.

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #4 –
Here's what it looks like back there.
jor

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #5 –
Quote from: ldlrunyon –
......  Any suggestions on how to get to the handle or latch for a repair would be helpful.......

I had the same issue when I first bought my FT.  I was able to open by manipulating the latch by reaching thru the slats, and manipulating the latch at the same time trying to open with the cable latch

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #6 –
If your tail lights can be removed..do so, you can now access the locking mechanism.

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #7 –
Thanks for the help.  The photos allowed me to see the cable pulls down on the latches, so I got a heavy metal coat hanger mad a hook and reached up from the bottom hooked the cable and pulled it down to unlatch it.  The cable had slipped in the handle so just had to pull it tight and re-tighten the allen set screw.
Here is the rest of the story.  I bought this off of my father who was very handy and mechanically inclined, but do to health issues decided to sell it.  I didn't want a bunch of tire kickers and people trying to take advantage of the situation so I bought it.  Well when I finally got the hatch open he had installed tie wire on each latch and it goes down to the grill and is secured and hidden there.  So I could have just reached in and pulled down on the wire to open the latches, guess he had this issue once also!

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #8 –
My engine door has become increasingly heavy to lift. After seeing the pictures, I wonder if replacing the piston operated door lifts with new ones could be expected to make it easier to lift that heavy door?
 
What do y'all think?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #9 –
It will help a lot !
 

Re: U320 motor hatch will not unlatch

Reply #10 –
Trent, I noticed that too but I attributed it to age, mine, not the struts.  New struts and Wheaties.  It will help.