Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
DECKLID Will Not Stay Open In Full Open Position (96-T-02A)
Reference number: 96-T-02A
DECKLID WILL NOT STAY OPEN IN FULL OPEN POSITION
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Superceded Bulletin(s): 96-T-02
DECKLID DOES NOT STAY OPEN IN FULL OPEN POSITION AND/OR TOO HARD TO OPEN. (REPOSITION OR REPLACE REAR COMPARTMENT LID HINGE TORQUE RODS.)
APPLICATION
Model(s): 1996-99 Saturn Models
Group/Seq. No.: Body - 01
Corporation No.: 681504R
Bulletin No.: 96-T-02A
Date: November, 1998
NOTE: Due to revisions under Models Affected, this bulletin supercedes Bulletin 96-T-02, which should be discarded.
VEHICLES AFFECTED
1996-1999 Saturn Sedans.
CONDITION
When in full open position, decklid may not stay open or may fall down, or has greater than normal opening force.
CAUSE
Decklid torque rods may have been improperly installed during production. Also, if a rear decklid spoiler is installed at the retailer, the new torque rods may not have been installed to accommodate the weight of the decklid spoiler.
CORRECTION
Refer to the Procedure in this bulletin to relocate torque rods to correct location in rear compartment.
For SL, SL1, and SL2 models without rear decklid spoiler option (D80), the correct torque rods are P/N 21098704 and P/N21098705. These torque rods are colored black and have no identifying paint marks on them.
- For SL and SL1 models, the torque rods must be installed in the rear position (position 1) of the rear decklid hinges. See Fig 1 .
- For SL2 models, the torque rods must be installed in the front position (position 2), of the rear decklid hinges. This is due to the increased weight of the center reflex panel installed on the SL2. See Fig 1 .
For SL2 models equipped with the rear decklid spoiler option (D80), the correct torque rods are P/N 21098706 and P/N 21098707. These torque rods are black in color with a gray paint marking on the "U" bend area of the torque rods. See Fig 2 . The torque rods must be installed in the front position (position 2), of the rear decklid hinges.
If a rear decklid spoiler is added to a Saturn Sedan, the rear decklid specific torque rods (P/N 21098706 and P/N 21098707) must be used in the front slots (position 2), of the rear decklid hinges. Failure to use these torque rods with the rear decklid spoiler will result in poor hold open quality of the rear decklid.
If an SL2 rear center reflex panel is installed on an SL or SLl, the torque rods must be moved from the rear slots (position 1), to the front slots (position 2), on the rear decklid hinges. Use tool SA9192B and the following procedure to move torque rods.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.