rear hatch won't stay closed

[Good351]

Hello everyone,
I replaced the latch mechanism in the rear door about 7 months ago with the Amazon part someone posted, and I followed the computer reset as outlined in a thread here somewhere.. Everything was good.

Last week I opened the back and when closing it, the mechanism now cycles like it is going to close, but it opens back up. I reset the computer again, tested and all seemed fine, only to have it forget again the next day.

It has now forgot how to operate properly 3 times. Is the latch mechanism bad? or is the little computer/relay on the back hatch going bad?

 

[hankd]

you can do some tests by opening the hatch then using a screwdriver in the latch mechanism to simulate the hatch being closed and see how the motor behaves. i think mine did this once when there was ice stuck in the general area of the latch so make sure that's clear.

not sure if unrelated, but my amazon replacement takes like 5 seconds between the motor operations when i close my rear hatch and i always wait for a few seconds to see if it actually closed. it's like a two part operation when i close the hatch which is really pronounced and lengthy with the replacement part.

 

[Good351]

Thanks hankd,
The latch is just 7 months old and actually very clean. It seems to cycle normally. It just unlatches every time now.

I've ordered another latch assembly, will install on Thursday.

If that doesn't solve the problem, I'll have to hit up the u-pull yard for one of those computer/relay thingies on the back hatch.

 

[MikeinNH67]

My bet is the latch even though it's new it's still not OEM. I have one of these too though and it's been good so far. From what I can tell the motor is supposed to pull the door so something within the latch locks, then the motor releases and it should stay latched. Sounds like that is not happening in yours, maybe crud or a cheap design.

 

[Good351]

Update:
I installed a new latch mechanism and everything is working 100% as it should.

I think the first replacement I got 7 months ago was a dud. While it worked fine for a while, it did forget how to operate a couple times before completely failing. I think the sensors/electronics in these knock-off's are really chincy. The unit itself was very clean, however there was a bit of moisture around the latch mechanism. I'm sure it wicked up into the wire contacts and caused a short.

This new one cycles slower, much like hankd describes.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Longevity is my concern too but mine is still working so time will tell.