3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

HI all, I am looking to install an electric hatch relese in my 92 RS. I have been looking all over the place for the pull down motor with the relese. Am I missing somthing? I see all kinds of the older model with a release. Is there a seperate solonoid for this?

B'tx

Go to TopDown Solutions. That's where I bought mine from a year ago and still working great!

Hope this helps:
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/index.php?cPath=22

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

I was actualy looking for the Automatic unlock selonoid to add to mine. I did not see it there.


Thanks Though.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

The late 91-92 hatch pull-down units don't have a electric solenoid hatch release. They can have an optional hatch release button, but it functions to start the up cycle of the hatch pull-down unit. As the unit powers up and reaches near the end of the up cycle there is a lever on the back of the unit that contacts a ramp causing it to rotate and release the hatch hook. At that point there is a spring that pops the hatch hook free of the hatch pull-down unit.

Lon

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

That explains a lot. So All I need to do is install the switch? I did notice there were a couple of wires laying inside the center console that went to nothing.

Thanks for the info.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Install a switch , yes. I can't answer if the wiring is already there or not. If you don't have one already I really advise that you purchase a 1992 Camaro Service manual. It will answer all your questions regarding what the color coding of the wires you'll need to find to plug that switch into. The manual is about 3 " thick and very heavy. You used to be able to buy them from the dealer. They are now available from Helm Inc at www.helminc.com.

Lon

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

Thanks again Lon, I will check on the FSM.

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

Well, I found the wiring, it was already there. It is not hot though. Is there a relay or somthing that is used for the hatch relese?

cliff1970

check your fuse box to make sure theres a fuse in it. someone may have pulled it out for some reason or it could be blowed

Blind Driver

Maybe this will help

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ch-issues.html

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

He has a 92 hatch pull,-down. Linking to a post that discussed a 1986-earlky 91 pull down won't help his late 91-92 pull-down motor. The two are entirely different. The only common part is the gearnut.

Lon

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

So anyway, back to the question. Is there a relay involved in this hatch relese switch?

Blind Driver

Yes.

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

Any thoughts on where it's at?

welchk85

i have one of these pulldown assemblies in my camaro but it was damaged by the stupid person that i bought it from is there anyway of rigging something so that i wouldnt have to have the pulldown motor but the hatch will stay down tight?

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

If you owned a late 91-92 Camaro or Firebird you could just get the slam latch from a late 91-92 F-body convertbile. However, you indicated you have a 90 Camaro, which has the older style pull-down. Yes you can continue to take the patch the previous owner started and choose not to properly repair the pull-down unit.

I don't make such a "conversion kit". However if I did it would contain chewing gum, baling wire, drywall screws, duct tape, bungee cords, pop-rivets, fishing line, screws & bolts, epoxy, wood stick, welding wire and speaker wire. Yes I'm making fun of the subject of converting it to a slam latch, but to be serious for a moment I've seen all these items used with the possible exception of chewing gum to kludge a motorized pull-down motor into a slam latch. There are many people on this forum that think this is a great idea and can help you acheive your goal. I'm not one of them.

Lon

welchk85

its just that i have a money problem and some of the sites that i have looked at for the entire assembly it would cost somewere around 300 bucks and that is not acceptable right now its a project car anyways it sits in my yard so im not too concerned about it but there must be something i can do to make it a cheap fix

rjdavis2001

iTrader: (1)

if you need a hatch pulldown motor, I will sell you and extra one I have, it fits 91.5 to 92 for 30.00, motor/Assembly only or complete assem with reverse switch. for 100.00, it only sounds like you need the motor though, if you just want a slam hatch, no motor for the 91.5 to 92 I have that also for 30.00, there hard to find now, PM me if interested. Thanks

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Since you haven't described what is wrong with your (again I'm assuming based on your profile 1988 to early 91 style) pull-down unit, I can't tell you if it is a cheap repair or not. Here's where to start. Read the tech article I wrote on repairing the 86-87 & 88-91 style pull-down units: https://www.thirdgen.org/tech/hatchpulldown.pdf

Now you'll have some knowledge of what parts you'll need to replace. I have all the parts available on my web site.

My apologies that this topic has strayed from the original questions regarding a late 91-92 pull-down unit. They are compeltely different animals, sharing just one part, the gear nut.

Lon

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

Try your local wrecking yard. The one I go to has 4 of them with pull downs.

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

Found my missing relese block on your site.

Thanks

3wheelnuts

iTrader: (3)

The solution was, there is a relay under the center console(mine was not installed). It's hooked to the switch wiring.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

You got the button to work, but you might want to see if you can find the ramp that goes in the back of the unit. Otherwise, you will push the button, and the hatch will go up then back down. I just made my own.

bdawg23

I'm in the same hole. I have a 92 Firebird that has the wiring for the hatch release behind the bezel just above the radio. I purchased a bezel that includes the hatch release and it plugs right in. However, no go with simple plug and play.

3wheelnuts speaks of a relay under the center console, can anybody elaborate?

Very Very Very much appreciated!!

Brian

bdawg23

No help out there?

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

I can tell you where to find the answer, but it will require a worthwhile investment. Purchase a 1992 Camaro Service Manual on eBay or from www.helminc.com.

All the wiring schematics, diagnostic information and component location drawings are within this roughly 3" thick nearly 6 lb book. I own one for my 88 Firebird, 88 Camaro and 90 Camaro. I also bought one for the 91 Firebird only because I sell parts for it too and there were changes between the 88 and 91 headlight wiring.

Unfortunately I don't own a 1992 Camaro and can't afford to buy a service manul for every conceivable make and model vehicle I sell parts for. Sorry.

If someone wants to donate one to me I'll share the answer. OK someone out there with a 1992 Camaro Service Manual chime in here with the answer. If it were me, and I planned to keep the car, I'd make the investment.

Lon

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

I don'thave a service manual, but in my car, I found the socket for the relay in the center console. I put the relay in, and it worked. I just needed the ramp for it to unlatch.

bdawg23

chevydrvr, I assume your car is a Camaro? I'm finding that they're a little different. I just can't find where the relay goes in a 92 Firebird. I found other threads here that showed it being just under the passenger side dash, and I DID find a connector not connected to anything, but the relay I was told to buy does not fit, and here I am once again, at a dead end.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, my car is a camaro. SOrry I wasn't sure if there was any difference.

bdawg23

It's not a problem. I appreciate your input regardless.

Just hoping someone else on here knows the answer.

bdawg23

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just in case anyone ever stumbles on the same issue I did: here ya go.


1992 Firebird
The relay harness is basically behind the map pocket on the passenger side. You have to remove the lower part of the dash with 3 or 4 7mm screws, the middle part of the dash (just below the map pocket) with 3 or 4 7mm screws, then a computer module with 2 7mm screws. Then you'll see the harness. If you reach up behind it and pull it down just enough, you can easily get that relay in there. It is known as a Trunk Release Relay AND also a Horn Relay, same thing. I paid 8 bucks for it at Autozone.

Right now, when the button is pressed, the hatch cycles up and then immediately right down. But I'm SO happy that the button does something now!!!!!

Lon, I ordered the latch release block and can't wait to get it!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope this will eventually help somebody out

Akovach

You can manually set the assembly to the bottom of the track and disconnect the motor. Leave your hatch release connected, and the hatch will function as a normal trunk would.

The reversing swittch in my car is bad, and has been discontinued; so I had to do this myself. I had an excellent technician go through and test all of the electrical components to make sure this was the problem. If your hatch was messed up by someone slamming it, then it was probably just the plastic housing, and that is CHEAP to replace. You can even get re-enforced ones.

cdoyle

I have a question about these pull down hatches, I'm hoping someone can help me with.

I have a 92, and this is what is happening.

When I close the hatch, it sucks it down and I hear the click and the motor shuts off. I can then go and push the button and the motor comes back and pushes the hatch up just like it's supposed too.

But........

If I close the hatch, take the car for a drive some. Then try and push the button when I get home, nothing happens. So I use the key and get the hatch to open, then if I feel the hatch motor it will feel warm.

I found the only way to get the motor to go back up, is unplug the wire going to the motor. Let it cool down for about 15 minutes, plug it back in and it will go back up. It will then work fine until I go for a drive.

Also If I close the hatch, and don't try and reopen it. If I don't drive the car for a week or so, I'll have a dead battery. I think this is related to the above, I think the hatch motor is drawing power the whole time.

Anyone have any ideas what is going on? Is the motor just wearing out?

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

I suspect that the reversing switch is not being flipped at the end of the down cycle to turn off the motor and reverse the polarity to it. You MUST hear a CLICK at the end of the down cycle. Your track that the guides slide may also be dry and needs to be cleaned of old dry grease and dirt, then re-lubed and reassembled. As a temporary fix you can remove the rear hatch trim panel and spray the track & guides with WD40 or silicone. If that gets it to work, then disassemble and clean the track and re-lube. If it is properly lubed then the unit may be adjusted too low on the body. Was it removed at all? If so, loosen the three 13mm screws, move the hatch pull-down assy up, then tighten the screws again and test the function. The holes that the screws use to mount the pull-down are large square holes allowing for adjustment up/down or sideways. Make certain the latch is lined up to the hatch hook.

Lon

cdoyle

When the motor goes down, I do hear the click from the switch and the motor 'appears' to shut off. (I don't hear anything from it anymore.)

I did also spray some lithium grease into the tracks thinking that maybe it was dry too.

and I also tried moving the assy up some, just to see if it was the switch. Same thing happens, it pulls it down, I hear the click, but after i drive it won't release anymore and the motor is stuck in the down position.

any other ideas?

The only thing I noticed with the motor is that when it's pulling the hatch down. When it gets close to be fully closed it seems like the motor is struggling? Not sure how to explain that, just seems like it's working harder right before the 'click' of the reverse switch. but that could be normal, I have no idea?

NxtLevl

I guess I need to take the time and check out what is going on with the one in my '92 Z/28....When I first bought the car, you could hit the switch and nothing would happen...I took the panels out in the hatch area one day, and saw that the hatch motor wasn't plugged in...I thought.."Hey, there's the problem.." I plugged it in, and it made a continuous noise as though it were trying to pull the hatch down...I unplugged it and never messed with it any further..I very rarely drive the car or open the hatch, but now am wanting to get it working properly....Might have to dig up some illustrations on the different parts, and see exactly what is causing my issue....

Akovach

Lon may be right. However, if the reversing switch was bad, it'd probably just not retract at all. If your track / motor are out of adjustment, it could just not be disengaging like you were saying.

For now, try disconnecting the motor when it's in the full down position, but be sure to keep your hatch release switch connected, as well as the harness that leads to your high brake light, or it won't function. Your hatch will function loke a slam-trunk until you can get a proper diagnostic.

If it is the reversing switch, it has been discontinued, so you'd need donor parts.

GMan 3MT

iTrader: (4)

What does this ramp look like and why wouldn't it be already on the unit?

I just bought a '92 RS and the hatch motor works. Turn the key, it comes up. Shut it, it pulls down. It doesn't have power windows or the release switch on the center console tho. I'm looking to put in my own little yellow button in the glovebox from another car on ebay. I'm assuming any momentary switch will do. Eventually, I'd like to have the ability to pop the trunk with a key FOB. I think that will just involve splicing the remote module to the switch.

I have a '92 service manual that shows the wiring. Interesting to note that the parking brake must be on in order for the switch to work.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

It was. If either the ramp is missing or the spring-loaded plastic on the back side of the latch release is broken, then the latch will not release the hatch hook when it reaches the top of the up-cycle.



Lon

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

You have a broken gearnut. TDS 109111, $7.95.

Lon

Truman Sink

i have a ‘92 camaro and i noticed the trunk unlatch switch in the center console didn’t work. i checked the power back at the rear hatch and i have power back there but the pull down unit will not work. does that mean i have a bad switch?

Truman Sink

i have a 1992 camaro and my rear hatch pull down unit is not working but there is power to it. can anybody give me some tips or ideas what is wrong?

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

You can mark the location of the hatch pull-down unit frame to the car body,, then remove it and disassemble. Use a battery and jumper wires to put power and ground to the two terminals of the motor to see if it runs or not. Switch the wires and test the motor in both directions. If it is dead or has a bearing squawl, then you'll need to find a good used 91.5-92 motor from another Camaro or Firebird. The motor was unique to those years and models. Unaware of anyone making new motors for this 91.5-92 pull-down unit.

The reversing switch or striker-sensing switch can also be your problem. Again these are used only on these 91.5-92 hatch pull-down unit. Sorry I don't have any spare motors available.

sonjaab

LON; COULD YOU POST YOUR pulldown unit crossover list?
The list with other GM cars/years that could be used as replacements.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Applications: This gear nut, wave washer, bearing and motor also fits the following hatch pull-down model years:

Buick: 1980-93 Electra, 1985-93 Park Avenue, 1980-93 Riviera, 1992-96 Roadmaster

Cadillac: 1987-93 Allante, 1980-96 Brougham, 1980-93 Eldorado, 1980-96 Fleetwood Sedan, 1985-93 Fleetwood, 1980-83 Fleetwood, 1980-93 Seville

Chevrolet (Chevy): 1986-92 Camaro, Z28, RS, Berlinetta

Oldsmobile: 1988-93 98 Regency, 1986-89 Toronado

Pontiac: 1986-92 Firebird, Trans Am, GTA, TTA
The frame these parts mount to along with the reversing switch and striker-sensing switch are unique to the 1986-early 91 Camaro and Firebird. The late 91.5-92 Canaro and Firebird have a different motor, striker-sensing switch and reversing switch but can use the same gear nut, wave washer and bearing as these other GM models listed above

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions
626-369-0040