I'm about to troubleshoot mine so I thought I'd figure out how it works first.

Here's the two system states and the initiating action with the 12V power flow.

Not sure if they are entirely correct yet. I will post updates as I find info.

The first is the hatch starting in the closed and latched position. The latch is pulled down. Release is initiated with the release switch.

The second is the hatch starting from the open and unlatched state. Lowering the hatch and latching it initiates the closing circuit. Once latched, the latch pulls down until it reaches the down state (closed)

 

Is the release and pull-down circuit exclusive to convertibles?

The release and pull-down circuits for my coupe are completely different that the one shown.

 

I suppose it could be but I watched a video on changing out the motor and it sure looks a lot like the same hardware as in the convertible. Let me do a little more investigating.

 

I opened mine up. It's the same.

 

Just to clarify, I'm taking about the electrical circuits, not the hatch/latch itself.

'87 Coupe hatch release and pull down circuits attached.

 

Looks like they later added the latch up/down position sensing switches.

 

The only difference between the coupe and convertible pull-down units (1986-early 91) is the addition of a third switch on the convertible which senses if the pull-down motor is completely closed. It is a simple white plunger switch in an angle bracket that is held in place by two of the screws which attach the clear plastic hatch motor housing to the frame. The purpose of this switch on a convertible is to tell the tonneau release switch that the trunk is closed and allow the tonneau solenoids to fire.

Here is a picture of the switch:

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...product_id=216

Lon Salgren

 

Very helpful. So that tonneau release switch is the one between the two window switches in the center console?

 

Yes the tonneau release sqitch is between the window lift switches on 87-90 convertibles. In 91 they moved it to the tonneau adjacent to the tonneau release lever.

Lon Salgren