rssteiny

how do you get your engine hatch open if the electric lift is bad.
i have a 2000 32 active thunder, i hit the hatch switch it started to go up and quit, fuse is ok switch is ok must be in the engine compartment how do i get to it.

thanks 32 thunder rick

cuda

On my Formula, the hatch will open far enough to unbolt it from the lift. Just lift on it.

BadDog

I replaced the bolt that holds the hatch to the ram with a polished pin and a circlip to hold it. One end of the pin has a cable attached which is routed to the side vents. Four screws and the the side vent comes off, pull the cable and it is free. In your case it is a little late, upholstery surgery?

Active Mike

Hey Rick,
What length is your hatch actuator? The one in my boat is a 18". I just bought two of them and I'm removing the old one which still works.
Did you get to your actuator yet? When you do measure from the center of the shaft hole to the center of the base bolt hole when it is all the way closed, that is your length.
Can you get to it through your vents? Even if you have to use some long ratchet extensions to reach the bolt. You may consider going in through your bench as well.
Needs some help give me a call.
Mike

Krumbsnatcher

Too much damn work, hot wire your hatch switch with a battery jump from a charger on another battery, hence the motor only knows power, the power is missing so supply the power from your switch.

Bada bing your good to go!

MACDAD260

Good idea BadDog,

That is almost exactly what I did to mine. The only difference is I used a rubber grommet to keep the pin from falling out on it's own. With the original 1/2" stainless bolt held in by a nylock nut there is no way in H*ll that the hatch could be opened on my Baja if the ram quit working.

Anyone reading these posts should think about this and do whatever is needed to be able to get the hatch up in the event of a ram failure.

McGary911

Another decent tip is to mount some remote battery terminals somewhere out side of the engine bay. I have a storage under the back bench, and have a red and a black post in there wired to the batteries. Plastic covers on them. If the battery dies, i can still hook up some jumper cables and open up the hatch.

red thunder

No access panel in the storage area under your rear seat? You would think a 2000 model would make provisions for this problem. Way to go Active Thunder. Bad dog has a great solution once you get it open.

Active Mike

The problem is if the motor took a sh@!*t then jumping the power isn't going to help.
I'm installing quick realease pins in place of my top bolts which can be reached by the side vents.

electrical1

Most Of Them Will Lift Off The Actuator When It Is All The Way Down. It Only Locks In When It Starting To Go Up. Try Lifting It, It Takes Alot There Heavy