my hatch pull down unit was broken so i took the thing off and ordered a new piece from TDS, i don't remember what the part is called, it was the clear plastic blot looking thing. Anyway, it was working fine, i tested it and everything but when i put it back on the car it pulled the hatch down, and now it won't let it back up!!! and the key doesn't do it in addition to the button on the dash! WHAT DO I DO! i need to open my trunk but how!?
please someone give me some ideas, this truley sucks.

 

The motor pulls the hatch down, but the latch opens regardless of motor operation, the pull down comes back up after the hatch is already open. Try pushing down on the hatch while you turn the key to release it, might be too tightly shut?

 

Pop it open with your key and try pushing on the black lever above the motor a few times. (not with your finger) If that don't work I'de start checking the fuse and grounds. When its open, make sure none of the wires are loose around it. Might be getting bad contact.

oops , didnt realize you said key didnt work. Climb back there and and check the wires.

 

iv'e already tried tugging up and down on it while turning the key, i don't know wtf i can do to get at it with the interior panel still on, iv'e tried sqeezing half my body in the back from the front but i can't think of how i can get that trunk open.

 

You can pop the hatch light out. That will allow you to remove the 10mm screw holding the hatch release to the hatch pull-down unit. Once the hatch release is removed you'll see a square hole. Inside that hole is a tab that you'll need to move to the left using a standard flat-tip screwdriver. Once you have the hatch popped open remove the hatch surround trim. Check that the hatch release cable is properly attached to the end of the lock cylinder. If that was not connected you won't be able to pop the hatch with a key. I suspect the problem is with the other end of the cable though. You have to make sure that the tang of the hatch release cable is properly engaged with that lever I told you to press with a screwdriver. It is also inportant to test that the hatch will release with the key or solenoid BEFORE you close the hatch. That way you'll avoid this problem.

Good luck, Lon

 

did you reconnect the black cable for the key release when you reinstalled it? sounds to me like you didnt. im not sure how big you are, or how much room there really is (i havent had to try) but i would crawl in the hatch and try to take off the plastc panel (assuming you put it back on) and just unbolt the entire hatch mechanism. good luck


ahhhh lon just beat me to post....listen to him...he the man, and i like his response much better than my own!

 

having exact opposite problems....
my hatch was working perfectly, i pushed the interior hatch release button and i did not make it in time to my trunk so it began pulling it down and i tugged up on it a little but then it finally locked. then i pushed the button again and now all it did was unlock the hatch but the motor did not move up and im stuck with my hatch open not being able to get completely shut because the pull down is all the way down like it should be only when the hatch is closed and engaged. what the hell is up with this? unlocks but motor does not move up like it should therefore trunk hatch=open unlocked.

 

It actually re-latched while the motor was still on the "up" cycle. Your pulling on it would accomplish nothing. It will continue up until it reaches the end of the cycle and trips the reversing switch. At that point it will start down. Try playing with the small black switch that is just next to the latch. That is called the striker-sensing switch. It SHOULD sense that the hood striker isn't present and start the up cycle.

Lon

 

thank you very mutch...that striker switch was the problem...just pushed on it then everything went back to normal....its 2:46 AM and i need to get that done thanks again

 

im still havin trouble, is this the srew i need to take out? it really doesn't wanna come, any ideas?

 

where more specifically is that striker switch?...i'm having almost the same problem....here's the deal...the motor will go up, no problem. It'll latch, no problem. But the thing wont go down. It works when it feels like it. I swapped out the unit from my other camaro, and it worked fine, so i assume it's not the wiring...i stripped it apart and replaced the motor, so it's not that either..as of today i have 8 hrs into trying to fix it, and i'm to the point of fixing it with a baseball bat, so any help would be appreciated...i think when i get the stupid thing shut, the motor power is getting disconnected and it's gonan be a manual latch.

 

Here is a picture of the switch removed from the hatch pull-down unit (I've assumed yours is the 1986-91 style). The striker-sensing switch is attached with a small heax-head screw just in front of the latch (as you are facing the hatch pull-down unit from the rear of the car). To the right of it is a black plastic piece that is spring-loaded. Pressing down on the switch lever will lower the hatch pull-down unit only while you are making contact with the switch. If you press it down, then release it before the unit has reached the bottom of the cycle and tripped the reversing switch you'll need to press it again to continue the down cycle. Either the striker-sensing switch or the reversing switch can cause the symptoms you've described. I've attached a link to the switch. GM discontinued it last year, but I still have a few left. The only difference between this 1988-91 switch and the 1986-87 switch is the plug on the blue wire that connects to the red with white stripe wire. Just cut off yours and splice it to this one if you have a 86-87.

Lon

1988-91 striker-sensing switch