I have a power hatch release in my 1992 Firebird. When I push the button inside the car, it pushes the hatch up but never releases it. It just pulls it back down again. Should I just replace the entire assembly or is there some way of fixing it? Thanks

Oh, by the way. This is not caused by the hatch struts. They are brand new and work fine.

 

Did you replace the motor recently or has it always done this since you've had the car?

 

It has done this since I first got the car

 

Sounds like your reverse switch is getting constant power. that would be caused from a bed limiter switch. Normally when you press the release button the motor will raise the hatch until it trips the reverse switch, and with the limit switch not depressed the motor will shut off at this point. then when the limit switch is pressed by shutting the hatch the reverse switch is supplied power again and it completes its cycle. With a bad limit switch the reverse switch is always supplied power so when it comes up the reverse switch is triped and automatically completes the cycle. Simple solution, go to the junk yard and get a new limit switch...can't be more than a few bucks. and if turns out to be another problem then your not out much cash. About the latch not releaseing the hatch, I'm not sure about that one...most likely a bad connection...make sure all the wires are good and secured. If you think it might be the limit switch too, and your local junkyard doesn't have any let me know and I can send one out to you. keep us posted

 

There is a small black plastic piece attached to the tan plastic frame with two small hex-head screws. The purpose of that piece is to release the latch when the pull-down motor reaches the top of the cycle. Yours is either broken or missing. If you're lucky you'll find that plastic piece loose inside the hatch pull-down unit or inside the hatch surround trim. Otherwise you're looking at buying another pull-down unit to get that piece. There is no aftermarket replacement that I'm aware of.

Lon

 

That's what happened on mine. Make sure it's there and it's on there right. If you put it in upside down, it won't release the hatch. And you could always check the junkyard for motors. Only 92s and some 91s will work though.

 

mine stopped working also, i got the original motor and one out of another car, you should also dissamble the 2 motors and see if one of the gears are stripped, and then switch them out. also check to make sure the electric works at each step.