Rear Hatch hard to close

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Flip-Side
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Rear Hatch hard to close

Post by Flip-Side »

To get my "open door" light to go off, I literally need to slam my hatch door shut, or it wont close all the way. Is this another vibe annoyance, or is it just MY car?
[Modified by baddkkarma, 2:00 AM 9/20/2002]
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Sputnik
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (baddkkarma)

Post by Sputnik »

I've found I really have to slam mine as well... In fact one day I went out to my car after not having been near it for a day or two and noticed the inside glass in the hatch was covered in condensation... my hatch was actually open! But it had caught enough that it couldn't be opened without the key, but it still wasn't closed all the way.
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NSimkins
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (baddkkarma)

Post by NSimkins »

This just recently happened to me. After unloading the rear hatch area, I *thought* I closed the hatch, but on my way home the door-open light would flash occasionally on bumps, hills, etc.Pulled into a lot and checked and low and behold it was open, inbetween clicks. As Sputnik said, enough not to be opened without the key.I have heard of others with this "annoyance". Seems it just needs to be closed with some force.
NovaResource
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (baddkkarma)

Post by NovaResource »

Strange, because I haven't had this problem. I actually just get the hatch abour 2/3rds closed and let gravity close it the rest of the way. It's closed fully every time so far.
Flip-Side
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (baddkkarma)

Post by Flip-Side »

ARG!!! Now my remote wont open my liftglass! I push the button and nothing happens. Yeah...the remote battery is good and the button works, but the liftglass wont unlock. Urge to kill......rising........errrrr.........
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Sputnik
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (baddkkarma)

Post by Sputnik »

Did you hold it down for a few seconds? It won't just "pop" open. I wonder why they made them that way.
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Flip-Side
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Sputnik)

Post by Flip-Side »

Actually tried my wifes' remote...and it works fine. Must just be my remote.
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csjrishere
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (baddkkarma)

Post by csjrishere »

I havent had this problem with the hatch...but have had a problem shutting the hood...it needed to be slammed to latch...I guess a little out of adjustment!!!
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Frosty
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (NovaResource)

Post by Frosty »

quote:Strange, because I haven't had this problem. I actually just get the hatch abour 2/3rds closed and let gravity close it the rest of the way. It's closed fully every time so far.Nice. Wish mine worked like that. I have to push the hatch closed and slam the glass to get it to close. Not sure if I want them to screw with the adjustments. Maybe will wait to see how it likes having frozen seals and ice in the way. Winter approaching, probably won't close at all one day
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Frosty
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Frosty)

Post by Frosty »

Fixed my trouble. Actually my Father and I did this a few weeks ago but I forgot to post this.I loosend the screw on the catch on the door, pushed the lock so it reaches the car and it worked. There doesn't seem to be any play or movement in the mechanism but it is much better now. The catch at the bottom has trim over it that resisted my advances but no matter my trouble is solved. It doesn't close as easily as Scott describes but at least I don't have to slam the %$#!*& out of it. Anybody had any luck getting at the catch on the car side of the hatchback so it can be adjusted?
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MrRich
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Frosty)

Post by MrRich »

I have same problem.So when i went to the 1st oil change i told for the guy.When my car was ready i just askd them did they fix it?And he told me they put some oil to the lock.What an idiot!!So my hatch closing same way as it did.
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Frosty
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (MrRich)

Post by Frosty »

I am not looking forward to my first Warranty visit (I have no problems yet).It looks somewhat involved to get at the latch on the car side of the hatch, I think that is where most of the adjustment travel is, so they hoped you would go away. I was able to make my adjustment on the hatch side easily. Give that a try.
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Flip-Side
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Frosty)

Post by Flip-Side »

Hate to say it, but I just may bend the latch-loop on the car side to make it close easier. Had to do it on the ol' Saturn, but hopefully a minor latch adjustment will work out. As long as its under warranty...I'll leave it ot the dealer.
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robodog61
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Flip-Side)

Post by robodog61 »

I just got my second new Vibe and the hatch did not close when I took it from the dealer. I noticed it about 2 miles down the road, my dash light was on indicating door was open. Took it back to the dealer and they made some adjustments, just enough to get it to be able to close with lots of force. Why is this happening? My first Vibe has no such problems, the rear hatch shuts with minimal or normal force. How can a car come out of a factory with the rear hatch door not being able to be closed? Was it in transport? I will take it back to dealer to get a more permanent fix. I just find it unusual that such a huge defect can pass by unnoticed. I hope they are able to fix it. I wonder how common this problem is? Thanks.
Vibe Rater
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Flip-Side)

Post by Vibe Rater »

quote:Urge to kill......rising........errrrr......... Ummm, do you own a gun?
nicksta3
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Flip-Side)

Post by nicksta3 »

I am so glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem. The night I bought my car, I spent over a half hour trying to figure out why my open door light wouldn't go out. Then I spent another ten minutes trying to close the hatch. I'm sorry, but I don't enjoy the idea of slamming a heavy piece of glass on my new car. I just don't use the hatch at all!
robodog61
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (nicksta3)

Post by robodog61 »

I am taking it back to the dealer. Please let me know if you do and if they fix it Thanks.
VibeSalsa
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (NovaResource)

Post by VibeSalsa »

quote:Strange, because I haven't had this problem. I actually just get the hatch abour 2/3rds closed and let gravity close it the rest of the way. It's closed fully every time so far.I've received my Vibe on Friday and my hatch works in the same way you describe. No problem with that.
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Mr. Poopypants
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Re: Rear Hatch hard to close (Flip-Side)

Post by Mr. Poopypants »

I feel bad for all of you having these hatch problems. My hatch, hood, doors etc have all been perfectly fine.
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