turbo esprit tailgate problem

[jsmi7]

The tailgate cable release on my '84 Turbo Esprit broke.
Any suggestions on opening the tailgate?

[CAM79]

Hi,

Have a look at this...

www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EMaintenance/HatchCable.html

I'd prefer not to do it this way, but...

'I first heard about this fix a few years ago, so while I was at the Lotus Factory I asked if this was the only way to release the hatch after a cable failure. Lotus confirmed this was the way to do it. Not ideal, but then it is an Esprit!'

Hopefully there is another way that someone knows?

Cheers.

[Htown]

I did Travis' alternate method at the bottom of that link. It took some time, but I got in. I bought a set of SPA techiniques captive hood pins to replace the latches and cable.

Craig
90SE

[kylie]

Or what about going through the tail light - with care? A broken tail light must be easier to replace than patching a large hole where you will need to colour match paint and learn to fibreglass. I often thought thats how I may get at mine in the event the cable snaps.

[lotusguy]

Hi,

I know this is a little like fixing a leaky boat once it sank, but for the future there are a couple of safeguards you can use.

First is to go to a bike shop and buy a length of bike SS cable and some connectors. Next you connect the cables to their respective latches and run the other end down the hatch drain tubes. This way, you have an alternate system which is out of the way, accessible from the exterior, and only you know of it (+ anyone reading this post ).

The second is to buy a couple of the auto door-opening solenoid kits HotRodders use to open their doors once the exterior handles have been removed. I know of one owner who did this and even installed a standard 9-volt battery connector and cables to the solenoids as a back-up power supply should the car battery fail. This connector was stashed behind the rear license plate. Of course, once a 9-volt battery was connected, it still took the remote to activate the solenoids and pop the hatch.

I have done the former upgrade, and am looking into the possibility of adding the latter this spring when I also install auto door locks on the car.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[kylie]

lotusguy said:

First is to go to a bike shop and buy a length of bike SS cable and some connectors. Next you connect the cables to their respective latches and run the other end down the hatch drain tubes. This way, you have an alternate system which is out of the way, accessible from the exterior, and only you know of it (+ anyone reading this post ).

Thats a great idea Jim, I will be raiding the other halfs garage for some stainless steel cable wire

[woodytype S]

how to remove boot lock from 85 Esprit Turbo ?