Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Can't open the tailgate. I thought it was frozen up this morning but its still the same now.

Won't open with the release in the footwell or with the key in the tailgate lock.

Will check manual when I get home but is the release mechanism fused separately?

Is this the 944? If it is then the release is a motor pulling a wire which pulls the 2 latches. It should open with the key, try pressing down on the tailgate whilst turning the key. Squirt some wd40 into the lock as well. It may actually be frozen even now.

if you get in the boot you should be able to pull the wire that the boot release motor uses, release it, then have a look at the catches to see whats going on. it's right near the lock.

Do not try pulling it open with the spoiler, all you'll do is pull the securing nuts out of the fibreglass and then you're in trouble. If you drop the back seats you can crawl in and release the latches by pushing the toggles - you'll work out where they are.

Ok - I've been crawling around in the boot with an assistant turning the key in the tailgate lock.

Electrically everything is working. When the key is turned the lock mechanism and levers all operate

BUT
on the drivers side of the car where the cable pull fits to the electric motor spindle the aluminium lever is broken. Looks like the casting has just given up the ghost after 18 years. The motor is thus spinning like mad but not doing anything.

Had a look at Porsche PET and it looks like part no 944 624 814 00.

Looks like another simple fix if I can get hold of the part

Mine snapped in the same place and I think the price I got from USA was around £40 plus postage so I made one myself from some flatbar section I had lying around not exactly pretty but works just as well.

Cost here in the UK is £37.80+vat Disgraceful really for a small piece of metal but its better than crawling around under the rear hatch pulling the cable by hand

I'd have thought a little engineering shop could have knocked it up for a lot less dosh than that. Have a look to see if you have a model engineering club locally.

I have a complete tailgate motor with the arm attached that i bought for my car but ive decided to fit the manual cable pull from a 968cs instead ,you can have for the £20 that i paid for it if its any good to you.

That's a really kind offer and one I would have taken but I've already ordered the part and as it's a special order there's no "get out clause" so I'll have to stick with it. Thanks anyway