Rep Power: 0

Long story short...I needed a car asap, so I bought this 97 Civic Hatchback CX from a guy that is now on vacation. Most of it is great, but there is one problem for now that I could use a little help with. I cannot open the hatch. The hatch is a different color from the rest of the car, so I'm guessing it was replaced, and my key does not work in that lock.

The release beside the driver's seat doesn't do anything. I put the key in the lock and it does not move at all. I try to pull it up by the handle, but nothing happens. It will not budge.

Is there any way to jimmy this open, from the inside, or outside, without doing any damage to it?

 
Rep Power: 518

You would need to climb back there, access and remove the cover from the latch, then work the mechanism that the cable would attach to. That should get it open.
See where the cable is at, figure out why it isn't connected or working.

Then take it apart, remove the lock cylinder, take it to a lock shop...see if they can make it work with your key.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks, that did the trick. I didn't realize how easy this was. Trim panel popped off and I got to everything right there. Thanks.