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Rear Hatch Release

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Frontporch, Sep 5, 2019.

  1. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    I am nursing a repaired hatch handle that will probably be ripped off again by someone else at some point. Part of the problem is the actuator that releases the trunk latch is momentary and there is not enough time to get the hatch up. It usually closes on the hatch on the way up and stresses the handle.

    Is the momentary unlatch normal? Is there a way to lengthen the time the actuator is energized?
     
    #1 Frontporch, Sep 5, 2019
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    When were the lift supports (struts) last replaced?

    It is momentary, and there is no way to lengthen it.
     
    #2 SFO, Sep 5, 2019
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  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    As SFO has said no. But ...
    This is not really the problem. The real problem is your technique and you thinking the ...
    ... is a handle. It is not a lift handle, it is just a garnish to make the hatch look pretty and will break (eventually) if you use it as a lift handle. The correct technique is to press up on the pad and continue to press to lift the hatch in one fell swoop. If you use this technique there is more than enough time. What makes this more difficult is if the gas support struts are not functioning (as alluded to by SFO, also) to provide the counter-weight they should. If working properly, the hatch should be able to be lifted easily with one finger pressing up on the unlock pad, as it should be perfectly canter-balance by the struts. If you do need to aid lifting (because the struts are not doing their job) grab the bottom edge of the tailgate and lift it there.

    I might add, if you have SKS and the hatch is locked, there is a two step process the opening the hatch.
    1. Press once and release to unlock;
    2. press a second time and continue to press/push up to open.
    Hope that helps.
     
    #3 dolj, Sep 5, 2019
  4. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    I do have SKS. I think I have been forced into using the two press technique. I have also used a second hand to lift from under the hatch after it rains and the hatch sticks to the rubber seal. I sprayed silicone on the seal, but need to do that again.

    The struts are probably original. they do push the hatch all the way open on their own from a half open position and the hatch does not fall when fully open, but if they were designed to lift the hatch unassisted from unlock, they can't do that.
     
    #4 Frontporch, Sep 6, 2019
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I replaced the hatch struts on my 2004 a few years ago, and the 2007 recently; using aftermarket parts. There is so much difference it really is amazing. Now I have to push down pretty hard to close the hatch.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Sep 6, 2019
  6. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    I tried the hatch again. there is almost no way to open it without using two hands. if you press on the button, it requires almost no pressure to activate the lock but then you need to use more pressure to get it started moving up.. by then the latch has closed. You need to drop the latch to stop pressing on the button to try again. same result. Frustrating.

    If I understand correctly... new struts should act like most spring loaded car hoods, where you pull the lever and the hatch pops open past the latch with very little help.

    Any suggestion on brands that worked well?
     
    #6 Frontporch, Sep 6, 2019
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  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I usually do not recommend the use of aftermarket parts; however in the case of the hatch struts, the correct Toyota parts cost 7x to 8x aftermarket which is really silly. This is what I recently bought:
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Sep 6, 2019
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly, but let me say this, if you are doing a 2 phase process whereby you press the lock pad, then apply upward pressure, then this most likely will not work well. You should do it all in one step (after the unlock step, which is seperate) and apply upward pressure from the get go, and if necessary also grab the bottom of the tailgate as soon as it pops out.
    Yes, you should have a popping out when it unlatches, but I wouldn't say it will lift unaided. If it isn't, then I'd say the gas struts need replacing. The initial lift should be like it is balanced to neither go up or down unaided, and then quickly transition to lifting on its own until fully open.

    If you read Patrick's experience above, you should find the difference between the old and new like night and day.
     
    #8 dolj, Sep 6, 2019
  9. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    Ok thanks everyone.
    Will replace the struts. I typically only do that when the tailgate doesn’t stay at its highest point. No problems with that.
    I don’t have much of any up force on the latch in the closed position to make it possible as a 1 handed lift
     
    #9 Frontporch, Sep 6, 2019
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