How do I open the hatch

Unfortunately, the 04 Golf does not have a back-up release lever on the inside of the trunk lid so there are only a few options. You can try and get the trunk motor/latch to work again or remove the plastic trim on the inside of the hatch to gain access to the inner workings.

The trunk latch is released by a electric motor when you press the release button on the drivers door or by holding down the trunk release button on the remote. If you can hear the electric motor in the hatch moving when trying either of these methods, then your problem is most likely a broken plastic lever that connects the motor to the latch.

Some Golf/GTI models had a lock cylinder in the exterior handle on the hatch that can be used to gain access to your interior.

If none of these methods are working for you, then the last resort is to climb into the interior and remove the trim from the back of the hatch. There are screws tucked into the grab handle pockets on the trim that need to be removed before pulling the plastic off (the trim panel is held on with metal spring-like clips that sometimes come off the plastic and stay on the hatch and can easily be removed from the hatch and re-installed onto the plastic trim.

Hope this gives you a good place to start.