HELP!! Hatchback won't open

[finaltable]

I found out when I got my new Supra home that it is actually a targa. I proceeded to take the top off and go for a drive. Woo-hoo! I got back home and put the key in the trunk lock and turned it and it felt like the whole mechanism turned. Now the key won't turn at all and the lever by the driver's seat won't open the back either. I can't get the top out without lifting the back so I have a serious problem tonight. If anyone can tell me how I can get this thing open I would greatly appreciate it.

[dcrusupra]

Well, if you can get someone to hold the lever up while u pull on the hatch that might work. If not, you'll have to crawl into the hatch and take off the plastic piece in the middle on the back. It won't be easy with the top in the hatch but it should work. Its just a couple of phillips head screws and it should come out.

[finaltable]

Nice try but "nope." The plastic piece that is attached to the back wall has a hole in the lip through which the latch part of the hatch passes. Even after I removed the 7 screws I couldn't move the plastic out of the way to gain access to the latch mechanism itself without breaking the plastic. I even removed the two things that are mounted behind the rear seats to give myself enough clearance to pull it out through the inside. Even with those out the top is about 3/4" too wide to pass through.

[dcrusupra]

Hmm, you've got yourself in quite a bind. The only thing I can think of now is to take the end of the cable that was attached to the lever next to the drivers seat in pliers and just pull on it.

[finaltable]

I'm taking it to my mechanic tomorrow. I can still back out of this deal if he says it has major problems. I don't think it will but all I need right now is to get the back open to put the top back on.

[dannydavi]

if you take off the right rear tail light cover on the inside, you may be able to pull that lil lever that the cables goto.

[finaltable]

I tried that one yesterday. The guys at the Toyota dealership told me I am probably going to have to break the plastic plate with the 7 screws to gain access to the lock mechanism.

[dannydavi]

http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...ead.php?t=8434


heres a link of some cell phone pics i took and posted on my topic. i wouldnt break that, there is a way to get to it. maybe from the left tail light hole you can push and use something long and sturdy to do the pushing.

[supramacist]

Wow..., I thought I had something for ya but it seems you are pretty squarely screwed.

I'm not just being an a$$.

You have to ask yourself if you believe in OMENS.
This could be one of those subtle karmatic signs life throws at us.

[finaltable]

Originally Posted by supramacist

I'm not just being an a$$.

I never thought you were and I really appreciate everyone's suggestions. I think I am going to break the part that around the latch bolt since that is the only thing holding it on now. Thanks to the cellphone pictures I see that I WILL be able to open it once I can see it. Now that I know what it looks like underneath there is a chance that I could reach around the plastic and open it without breaking anything.