need help on my hatch
 

My closing assist on the hatchback of my 87 300DTD has suddenly and without warning quit working. I have done a search on the archives with not much help available and I have checked the fuse--it is new and good and my central locking systems works so I would think the vacuum part of the assist is good--I can hear and see the hatch lock close by vacuum --so I am not sure where to go from here. Any suggestions? I don't find the electric motor offered by fastlane
TIA
Joel

Your car is certainly old enough for the tailgate wiring harness to have failed.

That is, the wires have broken from 20 years of flexing.

It's ~$110 and not a very difficult DIY should this prove the problem.