here... the TSB is crap. this fixed the problem for me... no issues now.

Rear Hatch Opening Fix HOW-TO

I've come to the conclusion on this thing that there is no issue. Simply hold the button for more than a split second (1 and a half seconds to be exact) and it opens every time.

RTFM!

Been there, done that, still failed.

Nissan just did not install a heavy duty spring to hold the weight of the spoiler for the U.S. bound cars. Same thing happened with the early Z33's. My new springs have been on for months and never an issue any more and no squeaks.

Kenchan,

Thanks for the "Rear Hatch Opening Fix HOW-TO ". I tried it with Swedish currency (2 coins/spring) on the short replacement springs (US TSB parts number) and so far it works great. Now I just need to check for squeaks/rattling and perhaps also add a coin later, if neccesary.

Stefan

I have to call BS on you here, and take offense to you RTFM'ing me.
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, I went out to my car yesterday morning, pressed and held the button while counting to five. Fail.
Had to press the button a second time to release the hatch completely. This is typically how it works on my 2009.

They replaced the two springs and i got new struts. works good now

LOL. It took me longer to read that than it took me to put in the "penny fix". I added the pennies on 8/31/09 and have not had a single failure since, absolutely NONE.

Hatch open all the way?
 

Is the hatch supposed to open all the way or just pop up a little so you can lift it up?
Thanksn

Just pops, does not raise. The hatch "springs" are designed to push the hatch up just far enough to clear the latch. Your trusty arms are designed to raise it the rest of the way.

Since there is a gazillion pages in this thread, I didn't search every page, but I found something on my car that might be part of the issue on some of your cars. I had my springs replaced which helped drastically, but recently I noticed one of the hatch bumpers (in picture) was missing. I just replaced the missing one tonight and it helps the hatch pop loose even more quickly.

I may be the only one with this issue, but just in case...

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...70210_003a.jpg

I took your advice, and I haven't had this issue return. :tup:

+1
I could hold the button until my finger went numb. It still wouldn't open without hitting the button at least once more. Sometimes three or four times.

:iagree:

Each press of the button cycles the latch in my car. Holding the button does not create a constant open circuit. Maybe they have a different relay in their cars which allows them hold a constant open latch.

mine only gets stuck in the winter time.

the gas in the shock doesn't push the hatch up as much (cold), and the spring isn't strong enough to pop it up by itself without the help of the shock.

( assuming )

I think I know what's squeaking.
I'm gonna try putting felt pads on the bottom of the cone shaped bumpers.

What you really need is to adjust the latch rather than put on a band-aid.....The hatch needs to shut tighter.

New springs from Nissan fixed the problem completely for me.

Aww man! Pulling the plastic out of the hatch again?!?!?

Are newer cars coming with new springs installed?

So, just adjust the latch down towards the bottom of the car so the hatch is more snug?

I've noticed since changing my springs to fix the hatch not opening, I now have some minor rattles coming from the hatch when going over bumps. Any one else noticed this?

My 09 with 4300 miles on it did it almost from day one. does it bother me yes
is it a big deal no. showed dealer a copy of the tsb and they said they would take care of it.if this is the only issue i have with my car i will be a happy camper.

I have this same problem and took it by the dealer Friday. I'm taking it in Monday and they are going to adjust the latch so it pulls the hatch down tighter.

I've got a skweeky hatch now, too.
I tried to adjust the latch, but it was already almost down as far as it could go in its bracket.
I was able to adjust it down maybe .75mm. We'll see if that makes a difference.
I don't feel like modifying the bracket.

I took it in this morning. They lowered the latch mechanism all the way which is pulling the hatch down tighter. They said it should pop open correctly now. We'll have to wait and see. As for the squeak, it's still there and they weren't able to completely eliminate it since the latch is lowered as far as it will go. They seem to be trying to blame my Nismo S-Tune spoiler for the squeak...the service mgr. mentioned downforce but I believe downforce would actually help the problem. He suggested I take it to the other dealer across town where I bought it (same ownership though) to have them look at the spoiler. It's not the spoiler as the squeak didn't start until the springs were replaced, which I told him that on Friday. I think they are just trying to pass the buck on to someone else. Like I said, there's nothing else in the service manuals for them to go by, so they don't have anything else to go by. I asked about putting the stock springs back on and he asked if I still had them, but I told him the shop kept them. So they are discarded and I would have to buy new ones...which isn't going to happen. It would be great to maybe start a new thread on the squeak so we can pinpoint where it's coming from. Perhaps we can find a DIY remedy for it.

rear hatch squeek has been documented and a thread started..... search

my hatch has been not working off and on for the past month. As of 2 days ago it would just release but not open; i try to push it back down and open, but still just releases. I can't get into my trunk still. Called the dealer and they said they never heard of any issue with the Z. Now i gotta take time to go to the dealer and have them look at it and order whatever parts they feel it needs.

Print out the TSB in this thread and just get the replacement springs. I have not had a problem since I had them replaced. They are the same length, just a stronger spring.

mine is acting up even after its been rplaced

Sorry to be blunt but your dealer is a liar. If he told you that. Its all over the web. I took mine in for an oil change and they changed out both springs without asking me about it. And it works perfect now.

Have had mine 3 months and need to double tap the button and pull up on my hatch to get it to open. Hitting it once just allows the hatch to open slightly but is still not "unlocked" so that I can open.

Mine was working fine until now, after 12,000 miles. Damn Nissan

1) Cold weather will cause the hatch to stick more often.
2) Take a copy of the TSB in with you to the dealer so there will not be any "We have never heard of the issue".

Had mine replaced last year right when the TSB was first announced, no problems since. The bro' just started today (cold weather sitting in) so off to the dealer with TSB in hand to get the hatch springs replaced.

I asked a friend of mine yesterday who owns a 350z if his rear hatch ever gets stuck and he said it does. Couple that with my 1985 300z having THE SAME PROBLEM and it's pretty obvious that this is a long-standing problem for Nissan that they have not bothered to fix. Kinda inexcusable.

Yesterday I read a post that indicates how to fix the problem until the car is taken to the dealer. Remove the springs from the hatch door and the plastic cover; insert a penny in each one (2 springs) and put the cover back on. Works like a charm. Temp fix as I want my penny's back but until I get to the dealer, I am happy.
:tup:

the pennies will work great for about the first three weeks, after that the springs seem to compress even more thus back to square one...

I'm at 14k miles and mine is now starting to stick as well. Glad I have a dealership that's within 5 miles of the house.

Just got mine replaced yesterday. Thanks for the heads up!!!

It had been cold here (35 degrees) and the stuck hatch happened to me.