86 firebird rear hatch lock
#2
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Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
The power trunk release was optional. You can look for A90 on the SPID. If it's just a gray block off plate the same color as the rest of the dash it's safe to assume it didn't come with the power release.
For some reason a messed up trunk lock is really common on the Pontiacs. It's not all that difficult to drill out the lock, chisel off the rivets, and replace the lock.
For some reason a messed up trunk lock is really common on the Pontiacs. It's not all that difficult to drill out the lock, chisel off the rivets, and replace the lock.
#3
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Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt posi disc 3:27's
Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
Mine was pretty bad, still worked, but barely. So I removed my tail light center section, drilled the 2 rivets and replaced the assembly with a new one. Only thing is now I have 2 "lock" keys, which isn't a big deal since I plan to keep the hatch key in the car. I tend to like to start the car and let it warm up while I take off the Ttops. You can't do that when the keys are in the ignition!
#4
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Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
That's where a locksmith comes in... Take the locks to your smith and have him change the guts so they all work with matching keys. Maybe it's just because I've bought a lot of tow yard auction cars, or old junk, but it always seems like 2/3rds of the locks are always screwed. It costs under $50 to completely re-key a car with all new locks and keys.
#5
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Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt posi disc 3:27's
Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
A good idea, but for me this will work great... I am basically using a second "door" key that wouldnt be on my key ring, so it doesnt matter what the cut of the key is...
#7
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Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
Once you drill about 1/2 way through the lock cylinder, you can usually pry the tumblers out and turn the lock with a screw driver to get the hatch open. Then you can remove the tail lights and the center panel so you can cut off the rivets and replace the lock.
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#10
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Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 305
Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
i bought a 1984 trans am recently, and my hatch lock was also messed up. As I never worked on a lock before, I tried to open the lock from inside the car:
Crawling into the trunk, I was able to lift off the plastic housing from the bottom and get my arms underneath, by carefully probing for the hatch lock I found the connecting rod from the lock to the mechanism holding down the hatch. Then I used a screwdriver at some angle to apply pressure to the rod and thereby turning it, releasing the hatch.
As I want to switch to an electric lock assembly, I simply left the lock in place, removed the plastic cover for now and the little spring connecting the rod to the lock, so now I can turn the lock from inside the trunk (which is not very comfortable, but it works for now, and I didn't have to damage anything).
Crawling into the trunk, I was able to lift off the plastic housing from the bottom and get my arms underneath, by carefully probing for the hatch lock I found the connecting rod from the lock to the mechanism holding down the hatch. Then I used a screwdriver at some angle to apply pressure to the rod and thereby turning it, releasing the hatch.
As I want to switch to an electric lock assembly, I simply left the lock in place, removed the plastic cover for now and the little spring connecting the rod to the lock, so now I can turn the lock from inside the trunk (which is not very comfortable, but it works for now, and I didn't have to damage anything).
#11
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Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
I think I have a spare lock mechanism with the cable attached,I'll check.
#12
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Join Date: Apr 2014
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Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 305
Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
Well, I revived a 4 year old thread. If he doesn't need it anymore, I would probably take it, as I'm just starting the process of fixing up the car.
#14
Re: 86 firebird rear hatch lock
That's where a locksmith comes in... Take the locks to your smith and have him change the guts so they all work with matching keys. Maybe it's just because I've bought a lot of tow yard auction cars, or old junk, but it always seems like 2/3rds of the locks are always screwed. It costs under $50 to completely re-key a car with all new locks and keys.
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