Trying to help a buddy out with his engine hatch who lives in another state. It will NOT open from the switch at the dash. He has power on everything at the dash but the switch to operate the engine hatch is not working. He says he has power to the switch but nothing happens hitting the switch up nor down, IMO I told him he might have a bad switch or the hatch actuator ram is dead or a wiring problem on the hatch actuator ram.

He has a 2000 386 so I take it is the same set up that I am familiar with a 2001 386. I mentioned about removing the pins from the hinges on the backside of the engine hatch to see about getting front access to the actuator ram to unbolt. Anyways looking for other ideas as I am just going off the top of my head here without looking at any of it. I am sure others have had this same problem so looking for ideas to pass on.

I also mentioned about trying to apply power to wires on the back coming out of the switch for the engine hatch actuator ram. I don't think he tried that yet. IMO I think the ram is completely dead or the wires to it. If that is the case, it would be real hard to get the hatch up or off, any ideas then.

Thanks for your time.

There should be a cushion in the seat back that is just on with Velcro. Remove it and you have access to pull the pin from the ram.

I did not know that as the seats that you SIT ON are screwed down or least they are installed that way on the 2001 - 386, I know this for fact. I will have to check that out as well for needed access in the future. Thanks

The hatch on my 2001 Sonic had sleeved cylinders. It would lift up if you just pulled on it. I could do it on my 26, but you might need several good size guys to due so on a 38, especially if it is a triple.

Brian no sleeve cylinder if I recall correctly from mine. Twin motor app and I doubt I could lift that hatch by myself as it is bulky that forms in the bottom of the seats as well. You can not get your hands on anything under the engine hatch to pull up on except the seats themselves and if you pull on them - you are going to detach the seats from the screws. I will pass the info on about the upright rear seats and check them out myself for 2001 - 386 when I get a chance. For some reason I do not recall an opening of any sort on the upright inside front of the engine hatch. I thought those upright seats were screwed in from the back side just like the bottom seats.

Yes the center seat back cushion is held on by velcro. Once removed, you have access to the bolts that hold the ram to the hatch.

I did not know this until a friend of mine showed me. The middle cushion on the seat BACK pulls off with Velcro<<<

Thanks for the replies. I passed the info on and will check it out as well when I get a chance.

Its only the small cushion under the one embroidered SONIC

Had a chance to check this out and everyone is correct the upper small cushion located in the center is velcro in. All this time, I never knew that so thanks for the heads up. The thing I do not like is, if you unbolt the ram from its 4 bolts - you have no way of grabbing the ram before it falls on something doing whatever damage. I did not unbolt it because the lift works for my app.

I did pass this info on as well but currently have not heard back on the progress Thanks for all the replies. .