1996 Chevrolet Astro Owner's Manual - Page 63

Rear Hatch and Dutch Doors Release If you have this option,your vehicle must be in either PARK (P) or and NEUTRAL (N) to release the hatch unlock the Dutch doors. If your battery is dead, the hatch doors will not open, even from the outside and with a key. To release the hatch and unlock the doors from the inside the of vehicle, press the HATCH REL switch on the instrument panel. It is located on the driver's side of the steering column. The hatch will release with or without the key in the ignition. Then, pull up on the hatch handle and open the doors. using the optionalKeyless Entry hand held transmitter, To release the hatch see "Keyless Entry System" in the Index. To release the hatch and unlock the doors from the outside of the vehicle, put the key in the lockand turn clockwise. Then, pull up on the hatchand open the right rear door first. Grasp the handle and pull the door open. The hatch and doors will automatically lock when the hatch is shut. If the hatch is partially closed, the rear doorswill lock and you will need to use the key or HATCH REL switch to unlock them. Also, see the Caution under "Swing Out Windows", located in this section. 2-9