My 94 has the mechanical handle latch to release the top and the buttons to engage the solenoids to release the deck lid. I'm not certain I would suspect a ground if you can hear the solenoid when you press the button. That seems to tell me electrically it's working. I haven't had any problem with mine (yet?) so I need to check out the mechanism a bit closer to see what is going on when the solenoid fires. Does it pull a cable ? would need to release both sides so maybe the cable is faulty. Solenoid for each side? Seems unlikely both would be bad so one side should release if that were the case. You mention a leaking rear glass. How hard did you try to lift the deck? Maybe water has the hinges rusted and stuck?How long ago was it opened? I'm getting mine out tomorrow and now I'm curious as to how it actually works.

 

EDALLEN: Welcome to the forum.

 

I have had this problem with my '96. There are mechanical levers on each side which you can mechanically release the deck lid. The top needs to be released first of course with the handle that is located on the underside of the decklid near the yellow button electrical release. It is on the drivers' side behind the seat. Once you have the back of the top/window out of the way, you have to go in under the deck lid and find the lever that is located behind where the seat belt comes up and sits. Get a good flashlight and look back under the decklid and out toward the outside of the car. The picture below is the passenger side. The lever on the drivers' side is in the back and harder to see. I think GM used the same part so it is the opposite.


The lever is the horizontal black piece at the bottom of the picture.

 

This is a picture of the drivers' side.