The RKE on my 94 is acting wonky. Most of the time the hatch release function from the fob doesn't work but occasionally it will work consistently for a week or so. Then it goes bye bye for awhile again.

The other night I tried to unlatch the hatch and, while the hatch didn't pop, the dome light did come on. So the RKE module is definitely receiving the signal; it just isn't able to pop the hatch.

I initially assumed that the RKE module must be bad but looking at a system schematic changed my mind. There's a hatch release relay placed in the circuit between the RKE module and the hatch latch.

Anyone know for sure where that relay is? Likely candidates are under the dash :-( or at the back of the car :-)

 

theres a thread here called "location of everything on the car" you may be able to find your answer there

 

It should be behind the glove box, right side.

 

Yeah, you're right. When I press the button in the glove box I can hear the relay clicking nearby. When I press the key fob button, though, the relay doesn't click but the dome light does come on.

Looking at the RKE module that I pulled from a junkyard car gives me a pretty good idea of where the problem lies. The RKE box is mounted behind the RH kick panel with the connectors facing upward. It's obvious from looking at the junkyard part that water runs down the wiring, puddles in the connector, and then seeps inside the module. The whole circuit board and components are coated with some clear stuff but a few IC pins are corroded.

I wonder how water is getting in that area. Windshield leaking at the corner? I'll have to investigate.