Hatch release motor? and sunroof replacement opinions

[vtcgr]

My trunk just started giving me trouble. Using the keyfob, i can hear the acuator(?) moving but don't get the *pop* of the hatch releasing. I have a stock '01 trunk with one spring on the hatch. Using a good bit of persuasion, i can still use my key thru my taillight cover and the trunk does pop open right away. The hatch will then stay open fine, so i don't think it's the struts. In a search for "hatch release" skater said that their is a motor that works with the hatch release. Could someone please give me some key words to search on how to look at this? I'm working in VA Beach right now and searching over dialup. I hope to look at this problem on Friday.

Also, my sunroof finally failed in December. I was wondering your opinions/experiences on trying to replace the parts. I'm not spending $1100+labor to fix it. Can you find the parts at junk yards at reasonable prices? A taxi driver told me of a place where you can pull your own parts in the Occoquan area. Is the replacement hard? I have searched and learned that you have to replace the entire sunroof drive parts. :facepalm:

Here's my sunroof experience: The driver-most motor(slide?) stopped moving when attempting to close it. The inner driverside kept moving (along with the entire passenger side) and sheared through the plastic on the drivermost side. This left the rear driver weight-bearing leg stuck in the up position and my roof open in December. Thanks to all that posted their sunroof experiences, i was able to search and find out how to remove the Torx15 screws from inside the car and take off my roof. Then i was able to use a screwdriver to move the drivermost slide all the way forward and then the leg prop finally dropped down to the closed position. That allowed me to replace the roof so i didn't have to leave my car at Dulles for a month with the roof propped open.

Thanks in advance to anyone that offers suggestions. i may not have internet until thursday night if anyone needs more info to offer help.

[vtcgr]

One other note - the hatch problem seems to be weather related. It usually sticks below about freezing but after being in the sun for a while it operates okay. Then it sometimes gives the *pop* then catches again. Is the catching again a spring problem?

Off to VA beach again for the next 10 days or so.

[skater]

The pop and re-catch is a very common problem with early Cougars (99s at least), especially if you have a spoiler, even stock.

It not working at all though must be a bad connection in the release or something. I think the key works via a cable, not electrically (someone check me on this, I'm really not sure), which would explain why it works reliably that way.

[DanG]

Always had that problem with my Cougar (now Kevin's)... Anytime it was below freezing, almost to the degree, the trunk wouldn't even pop unless I used the key. Got worse when I added the Razzi spoiler, but I knew that going in...

[vtcgr]

Acutally now that you mention it (even though i read about the recatching problem and it didn't register) I have been having the recatch problem in the last month or two. It would pop but then still be locked. It usually opened on the second push of the remote. I may try the spring stretching and/or buying a new spring at the hardware store. I think i read about the proper gauge to use. I'll have to search again once i get home.

But it sounds like i may just have to get used to using the key in the wintertime. It does very much seem like a temperature problem. I park in a garage at home but am having to leave my car outside at the hotel while on travel. In the morning it would only open with the key but after being in the sun and checking at lunchtime, it worked better.

It has crossed my mind to look for a new car, one without some idiosyncracies. But i can't really justify that when the engine is still running like a champ. She does need to have her spark plugs changed but after reading on here, i'm not sure i have the tools to do that. I'm also not comfortable removing the manifold cover to get to the rear plugs so i may just pay a shop to do that. Is changing the timing belt hard? I have 120k miles and should do that.

[skater]

You don't have to remove the UIM to do the plugs. That's an urban legend. You just need a long socket extension.

For the belt, I don't think it's that hard. You obviously have to release the tensioner. The biggest headache is getting it on the pulleys that you can't reach, such as the alternator, but it can be done without too much pain. FYI: It's not actually a timing belt (if you have a V6), just an accessory belt. The V6 has timing chains.

[12three45]

The wires and sparks plugs were easy todo. I did it less than an hour with a socket entender and of course you have to buy the socket that fits the spark plugs. They are only a few dollars.

Andy

[vtcgr]

Should i use a 5/8 or 13/16 socket for our plugs? I got both in a set of socket extensions. Unfortunately my longest extension is 5" so i think i'll need a longer one to replace the plugs. Do you guys recommend the Autolite or Motorcraft spark plugs? Do you guys also recommend doing the wires on a 123k car? I'm a n00b on our engine but have worked on my roommate's jeeps and don't mind getting my hands dirty.

Next question: Do i have to remove the intake filter air box to clean out my throttle body? My car recently would turn over but not stay on without my foot on the throttle. I held the throttle at 1k RPMs for 30 seconds and then miraculously it stayed running at idle. My coworker said i had to knock a piece of carbon loose that kept the (EGR?) butterfly stuck open that wouldn't let my car stay alive at idle. He recommended that i clean out my throttle body with Top End Cleaner from NAPA. Should i wipe out the TB while i'm at it? Or could i risk damaging something inside? I also plan on doing a Seafoam cleanup while i'm at it.

Kelly: Congratulations on your new addition! Sorry i'm late on checking the boards. My friend Luke married Molly so you've probably seen her more often around your building. I'll have them send my congrats if they see you.

[skater]

5/8".

Either plug is okay. Just be sure they are the double platinum version. Yes, the wires are probably shot.