Vinscully50

Today, I was playing around with my system in the rear hatch. When I went to shut my hatch, it latches fine but the motor isn't ingaging and it won't pull down. I've owned the car for about 10 years now. I have never slammed the rear hatch shut. Is it safe to say that this is just the pull down motor has finally died?
Is the ACDelco Tailgate Pulldown motor the correct part?

Komet

I would have a gander at it with a multimeter first. Hard to truly diagnose an issue without... diagnostics.

Vinscully50

Any specific readings I should look for? Also what other common problems could it be?

Komet

I'd be looking for power to the motor when it's triggered. Get your face in there and see if you can hear the motor struggling, maybe there's a bad ground or broken plastic piece of track. The panel is easy to pull off so you might as well take a look anyway.

Vinscully50

I already got the panel off. When I looked before, I didn't notice anything broken and nothing that stood out. It makes no noise. No whine nothing. It's completely quiet. I tried hitting the button and holding it down. Nothing happens.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

There's multiple reasons for the hatch pull down to stop working and when troubleshooting the hatch pull down motor assembly it's a good idea to check the wiring in it's entirety to rule out it's not the electrical system that's failed, something simple as a loose or broken ground wire will keep the system from working.
Is the hatch motor assembly in the up/hatch open postion or the down/closed postion?
When closing the hatch and the hatch motor is up/hatch open postion there's a three wire switch that the hatch striker bar pushes, red arrow. Without closing the hatch, using a screw driver or a pen/pencil, push down on the striker switch, called the latch switch on the drawing below. If the motor does not start to cycle the hatch motor assembly down then there's a chance the striker switch/latch switch is bad.

Vinscully50

Mine is stuck in the up/open position. I pushed on that switch earlier with a screw driver. Nothing happens. I don't see any loose wires though. I already ordered a motor. I can order that switch too. Is there a part number for it?

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

There are no available new replacements for that switch, your options are to fix what you have or find a good used switch. To replace the motor the entire assembly needs to be disassembled which will give you an opportunity to have easier access to the latch switch and the “T” switch these need to be checked or putting in a new motor isn’t going to get you anywhere. Also check the relay, does your cargo light come on with the hatch open?

Vinscully50

The cargo light works fine. If that switch is bad and I can't find a replacement, is there a way to shut my hatch then?

1989karr

The only place I know of that fixes / sells anything for these is Lon at top down solutions.


If not, then Ive seen it where people would fix the motor into a solid position and just lightly close the hatch... I saw one in the junkyard years ago that worked PERFECTLY... i wish I grabbed it.

Vinscully50

I didn't have time to check it out yesterday. Later tonight, I'm going to throw the multimeter on the prongs and see if I have voltage. If the switch is bad I'll contact Top Down Solutions.

1989karr

As I recall, the reversing switch has a tendency to go bad on 91-92 models

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I did have to fix my T switch/reversing switch.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...motor-not.html

Vinscully50

Finally got back to working on this. I checked that 4 pronged connector that plugs into (I believe the reversing switch) by the motor. It has 12.5 volts just like the battery, so I assume that's fine. Anything else I should throw the multimeter on? Or just replace the motor at this point?

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

Ideally the whole electrical system needs to be checked not just a circuit or two, the reversing switch has two sets of movable and stationary contacts, one set could have continuity and the other not. Could be the set of contacts that supply power to the circuit that supplys power so the motor works in the other direction, You already bought the replacement motor and the whole assembly needs to come apart to replace that, then would be a good time to further inspect the reversing switch.
I don't remember have you checked the ACC fuse? The LID fuse must be good because you said the cargo light worked.
Stereo system I'm assuming? Is any part of this tied into the stereo system?

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

What’s the latest on this?

Vinscully50

Life kept getting away outside of my car. I tested that pigtail it has voltage for both up down and continuity. I tried replacing the motor and it goes up but not down. I'm assuming that switch is bad. Problem is, I can't find one anywhere. It seems no one makes one anymore. What are my options? Is it easy to convert the car to a traditional latching?

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

Do a search for "Hatch pull down delete" and you'll find some results with options