It's been one of those days: Mazda 323 hatch

Since I couldn't do the lapping day today, after finishing the the alternator I was cleaning stuff up (removing old decals, the previous owners name and co-drivers name). The rear hatch had the key in the lock with a cable holding it in place so that you can always get the door open. I was monkeying around with it and removed the key. When I put it back in, I can't get the hatch to un-lock. I tried a second key, sprayed lock eaze in the slot, but it does not open. I think the corrosion or something has frozen the lock.

Thoughts on how to get it open? This has been one hell of a day.

Shotgun?

can you get to the mechanism from inside the hatch?

grapite, air gun and more grapite. I constantly fight the rear in the one BG

I've had better luck with Tri-Flow than graphite.

Thanks for the encouragement. Since it's a race car, I'm thinking a big berkeleying drill bit might be the final solution. Depends on my level of patience.

You can crawl into the back and get the hatch to open with a flathead screwdriver. IIRC, it's a jab-and-lever process once you get the trim cover out of the way.

you're correct Jay, I also also had luck with the interior release maintaining it's function when the rear lock tumblers start hate life. I've debated installing a latch, but like having the ability to release it without a key from the driver's seat.