Glass Hatch - Can't close unless I press hard with both hands

[snipereagle8]

Hi all,

I just got a LC Premium Package couple of days ago. About the rear glass hatch:

• Press the release button, it pops out with a loud sound and protrudes almost 1/2 inch.
• Does not close easily, I have to press hard with both hands on the thumb tab (next to the wiper) to close it.

Is this normal? The weather sealing is what's causing it I think. When I press hard on the glass, it depresses the weather seals and finally latches with an audible click.

 

[boltnut]

You have to close it pretty hard. Luckily, I learned this before I even left the dealership the day I took delivery. I was trying to close it over and over again and the salesman just grabbed it and slammed it closed. I was just being too careful because it’s glass. So don’t try to just push it closed. Lift it up a little bit and close it down pretty firmly.

 

[Mikie]

You're not asking about this, but here is a big thing I found out about the back window yesterday...

If you (unknowingly) don't close the window completely, and then if you try to open or close the auto liftgate, it will just beep twice and do nothing. There is no msg on the dash or anything in the owners manual about this (that I've found)-- you just get two beeps when you try to open or close the liftgate. Once you figure this out and fully close the window, the liftgate starts working again normally.

 

[ct1958]

If the wiper is not at the 3 O'clock it will be hard to close. Something to do with the wiper mech lining up with the motor. For reference, the car care nut went over this in his review of the LC.

 

[MtnLC]

Same - luckily the salesperson showed me ahead of time. Hold onto the thumb tab and close it firmly. Not sure why they made it so you have to close it like you're mad at the back window.

 

[PDPete]

Hi all,

I just got a LC Premium Package couple of days ago. About the rear glass hatch:

• Press the release button, it pops out with a loud sound and protrudes almost 1/2 inch.
• Does not close easily, I have to press hard with both hands on the thumb tab (next to the wiper) to close it.

Is this normal? The weather sealing is what's causing it I think. When I press hard on the glass, it depresses the weather seals and finally latches with an audible click.

This is not normal in my experience. When I press the button to open mine, I hear an audible "click" as the lock disengages, but the window itself definitely doesn't pop open at all until I actually grab the handle to open it.

When closing, I have noticed that it I have to do it with a modest amount of force, as just gently lowering the window into place doesn't usually trigger the lock/latch mechanism...I wouldn't call it a "slam", but definitely need to make sure I put a bit of oomph into it...and then I always double-check it's latched before moving on...but it sounds like you're needing to use a lot more force than I'm describing.

If the wiper is not at the 3 O'clock it will be hard to close. Something to do with the wiper mech lining up with the motor. For reference, the car care nut went over this in his review of the LC.

May want to check this? See if there's something blocking the window from easily sitting flush?

 

[JordanJ]

In my experience it pops open but does not protrude at all… and you do have to use, what I would call, an uncomfortable amount of force but not enough to feel like you’re going to break it.

 

[snipereagle8]

Hi all, thanks for the input.

• I made sure that the wiper key lines up with the slot and verified that after closing, wiper is driven properly. So that wasn't the issue. Also the wiper key is spring loaded with a very light spring. So if you do end up closing the glass hatch with the wiper misaligned, you'd not feel the spring pressure of depressing the key. It's super light.
• Smacking it worked, doesn't seem like it is going to break. Better than having to press with hands and leaving finger prints.
• I have come to the conclusion that it's just the stiff weather seals which will soften up over time.

 

[cmarshall1008]

You're not asking about this, but here is a big thing I found out about the back window yesterday...

If you (unknowingly) don't close the window completely, and then if you try to open or close the auto liftgate, it will just beep twice and do nothing. There is no msg on the dash or anything in the owners manual about this (that I've found)-- you just get two beeps when you try to open or close the liftgate. Once you figure this out and fully close the window, the liftgate starts working again normally.

I found that out a few weeks ago. Exact same situation. I couldn't understand why the tailgate wouldn't work!

 

[snipereagle8]

I want to report back that it's gotten much much easier since a week ago when I bought the car. It's effortless to smack it slightly and it latches just fine!