Hi,

I've gone throught the forum but found no related posts; hope you guys can help:

I recently got myself a rebuilt hatch pulldown unit and new struts. Installed it all to reasonable satisfaction. When I push the hatch release, the hatch is pushed up by the unit, but apparently the hatch isn't far enough up, because as soon as the unit reaches the top most position, it clicks, then pulls the hatch right back down again.

What could be wrong here? And more importantly, how do I fix it?
'cause I hate having to hurry to my hatch to lift it every time!

All help appreciated, thanks.

 

Sounds like you installed the pull-down wrong. Seems like it could be miss aligned. If the hatch is having trouble being pushed up by the struts, there must be some friction someplace. Double check that it is all straight lubed. If that is OK, then check wiring. After that make sure your struts are installed correctly(kinda hard to screw that up). If the striker on the hatch doesn't get out of the motor soon enough, it thinks you are trying to close it. There must be an obviouse reason why it isn't disengaging the motor when it should. If you can try and be IN the trunk area and have someone else push the button and watch it all happen. Later

-Dennis

 

Mine did that until I bought new struts for the hatch. Now it will pop it all the way open.

EDIT: Just noticed you replaced the struts already. Sorry

 

What type of spoiler do you have on your car? People on here say the wrap around spoiler is too heavy and will force it to pull itself back down. I have this problem, but I haven't looked at and adjusted it myself. My father did it for me, so there's like a 99.9% chance it's done the best it can be.

 

Nothing is wrong with the pull-down unit. Dennis describes the problem, but I have a few more solutions for you to try. First, let me describe what is happening. The latch is re-acquiring the hatch hook on the up cycle. As soon as the hatch hook comes off of the striker-sensing switch the "up" cycle is started. Once started nothing will stop it (short of someone heavy sitting on the hatch and literally stalling out the motor before the pull-down motor can complete the up cycle.

There are just a few ways I know to stop this from happening and solve the problem.

First off, I've got to say I'm surprised you're having this problem with a Camaro. This is generally an exclusively Firebird problem, or more specifically a problem with Firebirds that have the HEAVY solid aero-wing spoiler. In the case of Firebirds, junking this heavy spoiler in favor of the hollow aftermarket fiberglass spoiler will solve the problem. By comparison the all Camaro spoilers are way lighter, so less of a chance of havng this problem. An expensive slution, but it is a solution to this problem.

Something else to look at. I'd replace the hatch hook if it shows excessive signs of wear from the latch grabbing it.

You indicate you've alread replaced the hatch struts. This too will help to solve the problem IF the hatch struts are strong enough to lift the hatch hook completely free of the latch. However, since you've already replaced them, this isn't a potential solution for you. This leaves just one more way I'm aware to solve the problem. The good news is that this solution involved no cost. You'll need to adjust the hatch pull-down unit either up or down until it gets to the point that once you pop the hatch release solenoid the hatch hook remains in contact with the striker-sensing switch. Then the pull-down motor will just sit there without starting it's up cycle. The hatch is un-latched, all you have to do is walk around to the back and lift the hatch off of the pull-down motor which will immediately start the up cycle.

Of course you'll also want to make sure that the hatch hook is centered on the latch. If it isn't centered, don't adjust the location of the hatch hook to center it. Instead loosen the three 13 mm bolts attaching the pull-down unit's frame to the body and move the it right or left as necessary to center ito the hatch hook.

I've got both my Camaro and Firebird adjusted as I've described. Good luck with the adjustments.

Lon

 

It's not a Camaro, it's a Trans Am with the original heavy Aero-wing spoiler.

I'll have a look at the latch hook to see if it is worn - haven't noticed it, but haven't specifically looked for it either.

Furthermore, I've spent a day adjusting and aligning the pull-down, and right now it neatly aligns both horizontally and vertically. So I'm a bit hesitant to do it that all over again, but it may prove a good temporary solution.

But the first thing I'm going to do is remove the spoiler and see if that solves the problem. If so, I guess I'll probably get myself a fiberglass replacement. This one needs a repaint and has become bent over time - and less weight on the car isn't a bad thing, right?

After I remove the spoiler I'll post back here with the results.

Thanks all!

 

They make a heavier duty strut if you have the heavy spoiler. Maybe you just bought the standard struts.

 

I specifically ordered the rear struts w/ spoiler and rear defrost.
But I may have received the standard struts, is there any way to tell the difference?
Except from the fact that they apparently don't push up the hatch enough...

On the same note, when the hatch is released, should the hatch struts actually pop the hatch all the way open?

 

Well I just redid mine and they lift the hatch completely open before the motor stops Its a two hand operation to get that sucker closed again too. Where did you get the replacements from? Mine were from Napa and I couldnt be happier.

 

I got mine from EZParts on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camar...0349QQtcZphoto

 

Removed the spoiler today, and the struts indeed push up the hatch!

So... how do I get a fiberglass replacement? None of the sellers I've found so far will ship to outside their continent. And I haven't found any in Europe... yet...

 

Your option there is to contract with freight forwarder that will ship it to you. The US supplier will then be able to ship it to the freight forwarder you've selected.

Lon