Back hatch issues

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Dec 18, 2015 | 08:20 AM

RDockery

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Back hatch issues

My back hatch or lift gate door won't open, but the glass window hatch does. Any suggestions on what the problem is and the repair?

Dec 18, 2015 | 10:30 AM

alloro

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There is a release cable inside the door that tends to break. You have to climb inside and remove the plastic panel in order to get into the hatch and access it.

Dec 19, 2015 | 06:07 AM

broncoholic

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From: Melbourne, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDockery

My back hatch or lift gate door won't open, but the glass window hatch does. Any suggestions on what the problem is and the repair?

Wow! Same thing happened to my wife's on Thursday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alloro

There is a release cable inside the door that tends to break. You have to climb inside and remove the plastic panel in order to get into the hatch and access it.

Any suggestions on how to do this on an 03? It looks like the hatch needs to be open to remove the plastic panel.

Dec 19, 2015 | 08:51 AM

alloro

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Quote:

Originally Posted by broncoholic

Any suggestions on how to do this on an 03? It looks like the hatch needs to be open to remove the plastic panel.

It doesn't have to be open.

Dec 19, 2015 | 08:53 AM

alloro

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Here is a video showing you how to get into the rear hatch.

Dec 19, 2015 | 06:33 PM

broncoholic

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Joined: Jan 2003

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From: Melbourne, FL

Well, that's not an 03, but I'll give it a shot. Maybe tomorrow. Thank you for the video.

Dec 20, 2015 | 09:31 PM

broncoholic

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,082

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From: Melbourne, FL

Got the inside panel off and found the broken cable. $35 from my local Ford dealer, just wish they were open on Sundays. Easy fix, it'll take me longer to go pick up the part tomorrow than replace it.

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Dec 21, 2015 | 09:22 PM

broncoholic

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,082

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From: Melbourne, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by alloro

Just for the benefit of others, did the procedure in the video also apply to your 2003?

Ehh, not really. I'll call it similar, but overall many of the details were different. With that said, I had the broken cable out in 5 minutes. In addition to the 2 screws holding on the pull strap, the 2003 also has 2 plastic button screws where the window latch is that have to be removed. I removed the upper trim from around the inside of the window. I think that made it easier to pull the big panel and put it back on. The latch is different. With the panel off, it's easy to see the lever the cable attaches to and you can easily release the latch with your finger. The video shows plastic pieces that break on the cable assembly. The 2003 doesn't have the same plastic pieces. The inner steel cable broke on mine requiring a whole new cable assembly.