I had that smae thing happen to my 89 Westy.  I ended up pulling the trim
panel off the inside of the hatch to expose the latch.  There is a little
hole just big enough to stick your finger into and slide the latch over so
when the lock button is pushed, it will release.  Put a good white lithium
grease on that slider so it does not hang up anymore.  I was thinking of
putting a hole in the trim cover so I wouldn't have to remove it again.
TEMiller
----- Original Message -----
From: <JordanVw@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2004 11:05 PM
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
>