The same thing happened on my 87 GL.  I popped
the interior panel covering the lock and found
that the electric actuator was not working, so
I disengaged it and now the rear hatch will
open when I insert the key, turn it to the
right, and push.  The auto feature is disabled,
but at least I can open the hatch.

Hope this helps.

Warren
88 Westy "Billy Bones"
87 GL "Long John"

----- Original Message -----
From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2004 11:00 pm
Subject: vanagon Digest - 20 Mar 2004 (#2004-250)

> There are 2 messages totalling 80 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
>  1. help! vanagon rear hatch wont open...ideas???
>  2. I need intercooler fan ideas!
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> ---
>
> Date:    Sat, 20 Mar 2004 23:05:58 EST
> From:    JordanVw@AOL.COM
> Subject: help! vanagon rear hatch wont open...ideas???
>
> '90 GL..  i closed the rear hatch and now it wont open..   key
> turns in lock
> fine, button  presses in fine.   hatch wont open.   anyone had
> this happen
> before?   any ideas?   van has power locks but i dont think that
> makes a
> difference.    any help appreciated...
>
> chris
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Sat, 20 Mar 2004 20:31:48 -0800
> From:    David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
> Subject: I need intercooler fan ideas!
>
> I spent the entire day getting my AHU TDI motor installed in my
> TriStar -
> still have the electrical and the intake / intercooler system to
> complete.
> The idea for the intercooler system is fairly straight forward.
> On the
> driver side tail light opening, I am going to install a piece of 3mm
> aluminium sheeting so that it seals that chamber off from the engine
> compartment.  Then I will cut a hole in this sheet metal and mount the
> intercooler to it - making sure the intercooler is air tight to the
> aluminium.  The piping from the turbo to the intercooler and to
> the intake
> manifold will be aluminium and I will reuse the rubber bits that
> came with
> the factory tubing - installing a few more rubber piece to act as
> a buffer
> for engine movement.  The intercooler inputs will be pointing up
> with the
> intercooler mounted as low as possible in the opening.  I may have
> to be a
> little creative to keep it all together when the engine is
> starting and
> stopping as Diesels don't tend to stay in one place when doing this!
> Installing the sensor in the pipe before the intercooler will be a
> bit of a
> challenge too!  Plumbing and installing the intercooler should be
> a few
> hours work with a TIG welder.
>
> What I want to do is mount behind the intercooler a high volume
> van that
> won't mind getting wet.  This fan will be wired into the 60C air
> temp sensor
> that is present on the TDI motor - when the engine compartment is
> hotterthan 60C the fan will turn on - keeping the intercooler
> soaked in cool air
> when driving and cooling off the engine compartment when you turn
> the motor
> off after driving.  Perhaps I might put a hose from this
> compartment to the
> turbo to cool it off too.  The trick is for me, finding a small
> enough fan
> that will fit in the tail light compartment that will move a lot
> of air.  I
> am thinking of installing another 3mm aluminium plate horizontally
> at the
> top of this opening / bottom of the 'tunnel' that goes to the
> outside vent.
> This 2nd plate will again be sealed and the fan would be mounted
> to this
> ensuring that air can only move forward and into the intercooler /
> enginecompartment.
>
> Suggestions, comments and ideas please!
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> David Marshall
>
> Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
> 4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
> Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
>
> http://www.fastforward.ca    sales@fastforward.ca
> Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
> - Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
> - Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
> - European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>
>
> Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include
> previousemails when responding.  This will allow us to read the
> complete dialogue
> in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate
> responses.
> ------------------------------
>
> End of vanagon Digest - 20 Mar 2004 (#2004-250)
> ***********************************************
>