Does anyone know where i can buy a new tonneu cover release swith for my 92T/A convertable? I look all over the web for this, and no luck. Mine works, but looks like dog crap!

 

Classic industries maybe. Not sure though. Try Camaro Heaven. They have a huge stock of used parts.

 

check ebay, they are usually on there from time to time, i got mine on there brand new

 

You could try . . . http://www.top-downsolutions.com/index.php

 

Switches are available (check Camaro adds as well as Pontiac). One thought though. When I thought my switch was going bad, it turned out to be a lubrication problem on the solenoid shafts that pull the hold downs out when you hit the switch. There is one on either side behind the rear speaker panels. A little WD-40 on the solenoid shafts and I was back in business.

If you have not tested the switch yet, it might be worth a try to insure the problem is the switch and not the solenoids.
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Sorry, I just re-read your note and noticed that yours is operational - just not looking good. My bad.

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thanks guys, i will check those out and see if i can find one, preferably new.

 

Convertible tonneau release switches have been discontinued for more years than I can recall. The coupe hatch release switch is functionally equivalent, but with different graphics on the switch (shows a hatch opening instead of a picture of a tonneau). Those too have recently been discontinued. I still have a few of the 82-89 Camaro hatch release switches and 90-92 Camaro hatch release switches in stock. When they are gone, they are gone.

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/pro...roducts_id=157

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/pro...roducts_id=156

Lon

 

My switch was working, than it stop. I think the switch is still good, because i hear a clicking sound in the center consol. Is there a way to test the switch or the wiring? I will wd-40 the cylinoids, any other possible fixes?

 

I grabbed a used hatch switch out of a camaro at a u-pick-it yard. probably cost me .99. works perfect, just looks a little different.

 

If you hear a "click" when you hit the switch, the switch is good. Listen closely and I expect you can hear each solenoid (right and left) energize. The problem is that they are not pulling the solenoid shafts far enough due to 15 years of crud on the shafts. The WD-40 will take care of that. Unfortunately, you have to take off the side panels with the speakers to get at them. If one clicks but the other does not - work the dead one first. You may only have a problem on one side.

Is your top up or down? If you need an emergency fix, there is a pull cable on each side that comes out behind the rear seatback. You can pull these cables to release the latches manually.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks, will do. The click is in the center consol, very faint, that doesn't matter does it?

 

Click in the console? Anything coming from behind the speaker panels? I don't know of anything in the console that would be related. You can test the switch with an ohm meter (open at rest - closed when you hit the switch, measured across the switch terminals) If the needle swings, the switch is good.

 

A faint click from the center console would be the hatch (or tonneau) release relay, not the hatch (or tonneau) release solenoid. Is your car an automatic or manual? Is the trunk pull-down unit working properly?

Lon

 

Where is this relay located? When my solenoid shafts froze up, the solenoids would still make their normal, loud "click" but they would not have the strength to pull the shafts and release the cover.

I never had to look farther. If there is a defective relay, that would probably explain why there is no juice to energize the solenoids (and therefore no solenoid noise from behind the panels).

 

On Camaro the relay is in the center console mounted next to the emergency brake. On Firebird it is behind the RH side of the dash. Since you have a 5 speed, try pulling up on the parking brake. The relay is grounded through the the parking brake. Automatics are grounded through the neutral safety switch of the gear selector.

Lon

 

Yea, I forgot about that relay. Also the fact that it interlocks to the ignition so you can't apply power to the switch when the car is running. Hopefully, DUCK2292 reads this and is not trying to energize the release solenoids with the car running. He may not have a problem at all.

 

nah, my switch works fine, just a little ganked from previous owner.

 

Guys, i did as you said, found the relay and replaced it, the relay is working when i hit the switch, it buzzes, but still no power out to the solenoids. Any suggestions? Is there a specific fuse somewhere for them? The relay is a 3 prong, i don't see any ground wire on it, just the 3 wires on the clip that gets snapped to the relay.

 

I would put a volt meter to the solenoid lead wires and see if it gets 12V when you hit the tonneau switch. If not, then go for the wiring up to it. If you get voltage, then its probably the solenoid. (I would still try to lubricate the solenoids before replacing them. They are pretty durable but get dirty and sticky preventing them from actuating.)