but if they do it i'm looking at 150 for labor just to open the hatch, another 250 to get another latch put in which would be my only option because i live 30+ miles from the dealer so driving hatch up is not a good idea, plus they would be destroying the plastic around the rear strut support, haven't priced those yet but i'm sure they are as expensive as a new box.

 

DOOD.......hack up the box........go to junk yard and get another latch assembly......replace and done..

-J

 

thats precisely what i did, except i didnt have to hack the box up. I cut the amp rack in half so it could be removed and tore the brads out of the box and disassembled, total cost....15 minutes in a sweaty awkward *** position and leave with the pride of not having the dealership bone me even more
thanks for all the help guys

 

I can't imagine that it would........but does anyone know if the cable for the emergency release ever runs outside of the car at all? If it does, you can locate it, cut it and pull at that point.

 

Yea, with labor included, latch and all that would not have been the cheaper route (dealer).
Glad you didnt have to tear up your box, good thinking on taking it apart. Probably a little late now, but did you tie and extension onto the emergency release in case this ever happens again? (heaven forbid!)

 

yes, yes i did. I drilled a hole in the handle and ran a length of 10 gauge wire through it and knotted it up.

and also the motor for the z latch and the motor for a whirlpool double of door latch are nearly identical, if you can weld you can make it work for about 12 bucks. Thats if your fails like mine, from what i hear this is one of the few that have failed.