Opening rear hatch without key

[351 82GT]

Is there anyway to open the hatch from the inside if the key is lost?
I don't want to call a locksmith?

 

[Fett]

If you crawl inside there should be a "saftey release" handle behind the rearmost trim panel....attached to the latch itself.

 

[Flavadave4]

beat me to it.
yeah what he said^

its a saftey thing they install at the factory with most cars

 

[68torinogt]

also is your hatch rubber new or do you have the nylon shim on the striker?

 

[351 82GT]

Is this "safety release" handle on an '82GT mustang?

 

[351 82GT]

I just looked and don't see any handle.
68torinogt, it has the nylon around the striker post.

 

[RsStanG1987]

go to the outside of the car.. Under the lock cylinder on the hatch there is a little plate scrwed on. remove the skrew and plate then pop the lock cylinder out. Stick a long flat skrewdriver in there and bang the hatcjh is open. I 've had 3 mustangs and there wasnt a hatch release cable in any of them there was only a fuel door opener.

 

[351 82GT]

Thanks! I found it but it's not a screw...it's a really small nut that doesn't seem to fit any of my wrenches unless it's metric. I'll get it off one way or the other.

 

[68torinogt]

when mine was doing this it was fixd by some oil and a adjustment for the new hatch rubber and nylon bushing.

 

[RsStanG1987]

he lost the key and you guys are giving him ifo about oiling this and that? If you follow the procedure i gave you you can replace the lock cylinder so you can acess your hatch via key.

 

[RsStanG1987]

Thanks! I found it but it's not a screw...it's a really small nut that doesn't seem to fit any of my wrenches unless it's metric. I'll get it off one way or the other.

Your on the outside of the car right?

 

[68torinogt]

sorry got destracted when i read it this morning
View attachment 440806

 

[351 82GT]

Your on the outside of the car right?

Yeah, right under the lock on the outside. I know exactly what your're talkin about. Mine is not a screw...that's all. It's between a 5/32 and 5/16 and none of them fit so it must be metric...

 

[RsStanG1987]

Yeah, right under the lock on the outside. I know exactly what your're talkin about. Mine is not a screw...that's all. It's between a 5/32 and 5/16 and none of them fit so it must be metric...

Vise grips are your friend

 

[351 82GT]

Too small for vise grips. My new best friend is an angle grinder with a cutting wheel.

 

[PJB]

Mine has a hatch release button in the glove box but it doesnt work.

I dont know if they all have that or if it was optional.

 

[351 82GT]

Mine has a hatch release button in the glove box but it doesnt work.

I dont know if they all have that or if it was optional.

I don't think they started that until the '87 models.

 

[RsStanG1987]

I don't think they started that until the '87 models.

Some older ones had them.. My 84 did. They always stop working anyway.