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Melted Latches
A poor ground to the rear window defogger may cause a frozen rear cargo door on Suzuki Sidekicks and Geo Trackers.
When the rear window defogger loses its ground, it uses the striker return spring inside the cargo latch as a ground. This heats the striker spring and melts the internal plastic parts of the latch. The melted parts jam the latch, which keeps the rear cargo door from opening.
The cost of a new replacement rear cargo latch is approximately $220 from the dealer. If your customer chokes when you mention this price to him/her, you may be able to salvage the damaged latch with a little bit of work and a few extra minutes:
- Remove the latch, then disassemble and clean the melted plastic parts with a file.
- Stretch, then shorten the damaged striker spring to restore its tension, then reassemble the latch.
- Lube everything, then reinstall the latch assembly.
- Before returning the car to the customer, be sure to repair the ground circuit for the rear window defogger, or you'll be going through this whole exercise a second time before very long.
Billy Felton
Barber Brothers Mitsubishi
Orem, Utah
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