Ok , no signs of weakness or failure. I went to raise my engine hatch and the damn thing is stuck . The pump is just clicking . Hot batteries and absolutely no access to the engine box. I removed both hinge pins still no help .I am stumped. I removed a louver from both sides trying to use 2 each 5 foot extensions to remove the hinge bolt . No luck .Sounds like worm gear slipping when I hit the button. Any ideas ?
1989 fountain . big blower hatch

Sounds like you need a hatch actuator, probobly a gear striped out as you said(if srcew type, which is what most Fountains have)

I think if you check under the back seat there is a deck plate in the bulkhead that gets you to the bottom bolt on the actuator....it may depend on the model to but seems to me that Fountain did that for a while....Ed

There is no "pump" with your system unless it's the hydraulic system like Cigarette uses.
I have run into this before with the worm-gear electric type you probably have. The gear is binding and the motor is not strong enough to pop it free. The hatch is closing too tight and must be adjusted properly to keep this from happening again.

Can you have some one pull or pry up on the hatch while you hit the switch. If your gear isn't broke, just stuck that may get you going.