Hey Folks, in the never ending shakedown of this car I continue to work through various issues. One of the latest and greatest is my rear hatch opening while I’m driving. I’m trying to determine if this is an adjustment issue, or my latch is broken. I have attached a picture where the edge appears jagged, which doesn’t seem like it would be correct but hoping someone can share a pic of the hook on their functional latch. Thanks.
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Do you feel like the two are properly lined up?
You can certainly move the catch a bit…
Rocky
...The Latch 'Bar' on the LID 'Looks', Up-Side-Down, too High into the Channel!! Flip it Around and Invert! Perhaps the Spring in the Latch is Weak?
...Here is My Latch for a '74L Pantera. Seems You have the Wrong 'Lid Latch'. The Decklid should close with a Loud, Distinct CLICK!!
Marlinjack, early cars have a different latch than yours
MJ
Shashi, take a Closer Look at the 'Mating', from the Side View, with the Lid Almost shut. You'll need a Flashlight.
Also, Looking Close at the CLAW on Your Latch, a 'Incline' has Been warn on the Underside, that Biases it to Move Reward, causing the Lid to Release, by Its Own Pressure and Vibration/Movement! A few Minutes with a 'Rat-Tail' File would Correct the Problem
MJ
With the deck lid closed you may be able to get a boroscope up there to determine what's going on.
Thanks, everyone. I have a boroscope I purchased, but haven’t had the opportunity to use yet, which will need to be put to use this weekend.
As a side note, have one other major issue (charging issue) I need to figure out with this car before I can confidently take it out without having to call my pit crew (aka pissed off wife) to come and jump me. 😀
FWIW, 15+ years ago my 1st P-car died in a city 1 hour away, a charging issue A shop owner who knows me from my town had gone there and happened by returning from Christmas shopping, recognized the car. He had a battery pack we plugged on, told me to follow him, I kept headlights off. Got back home, barely. Eventually found it to be a loose wire in a crimped terminal @ voltage regulator. Probably today's battery packs are better still. Something to consider. I think we were both amazed.
