I found an 88 at my local pick n pull.
Is there a way to release the latched from the tonneau with out power?

 

yes, just look for the cables behind the seat back. One on each side.

-jason

 

Yep, there are emergency cable releases on each side just next to the latch bolt for the rear seat back. It is a black cable with a loop in the end. Tthe opposite end is attached directly to the tonneau latch. Remember these are supposed to be for emergency or limited use only. Some people use them regulary because their tonneau release button won't work. If you use them too much they'll eventually break and you'll be S.O.L.

Lon

 

I found them. And got the tonneau off.
Thanks

I noticed that the end caps on the Camaro 89 are smaller then my Firebird 92. Is that normal?

 

Yes. The Camaro is narrower than a Firebird. The trunk and tonneau are identicle on the convertibles, so the end caps need to be molded wider for a Firebird to cover the wider body.

Lon

 

The Firebird flared outward IIRC to give it a wider appearance I believe to match the Aero Spoiler of the Formula/Trans Am/GTA in 1991 & 1992...

John

 

I have a question...I can't find the tonneau release button on my car (88 GTA), where should it be? I have only put the top down once so far and I used the emergency cables because I didn't see a release button! The only switch I found is the one that operates the motor to secure the 5th bow to the tonneau.

 

It Should be the Trunk (Hatch) release button on the dash...

John

 

Ohhh. I would have never thought of that. I know my car has the power trunk/hatch motor and I thought that button would just pop the trunk. I'll give that button a try this weekend!

 

Been using the cables for a year now on my 89 rs vert. Where is this button and what does it activate to open the tonneau. The only button is on the console to open the trunk which does not work anymore. The motor and all the junk has been removed. So what opens the tonneau?

 

On the convertibles the switch that releases the hatch was re-wired to release the tonneau.

Lon

 

The switch was also unique with regards to the graphics, which on the verts resembled the tonneau cover.

 

That is the first time I have seen a switch like that one. I always thought the tonneau switches were the standard Hatch release/Trunk release switch.

John

 

thts the first time ive seen the tonneau switch right on the center console, mines right next to the top release on the tonneau

 

87,88,89 camaro's had them between the window switches with that tonneau picture on them. I don't know about the 90 and up?

 

90-92 had them right by the tonneau cover. some 87 's used the standard hatch switch 88 and 89 used the white print switch above. I think the later 87's may have used that switch also.

 

That switch looks good. On my switch the the white print of the tonneau cover has worn off. Does anyone make a new one?

 

Wait...say wha...?
My '91 RS has that switch (complete with cooler looking Tonneau graphic) between my two power-window switches, not up on the tonneau itself.

 

Now ya got me going.... I have three switches on my 89 rs but they are not in line. If you move your tonneau switch back about the length of the window switches it will look like mine. Also no graphics left, course they are gone off the window switches as well. Are there any wiring diagrams for the tonneau and what do they activate to open the latches?

 

This topic has got'n interesting. I don't have any wiring diagrams, but I have a few pics of the tonneau cover latches that open to release it. You can also see the manual pull wire that can be used should the electrical solenoid activated release fail.


When the tonneau cover is in the down position, it locks-in with some tension. That tension allows it to pop up about an inch when the latches release. Otherwise, it would still just sit in the latches and you'd have to lift the tonneau cover while pressing the release button at the same time. That's kind'a awkward.

 

My 91 z28 has the switch between the window switches on the console. I don't have a hatch release button. I didn't think most verts had one. The biggest problem I've seen is that the switch won't work if the trunk is not functioning correctly. Make sure the hatch pull down motor is all the way down. If not, it will not allow power to the tonneau release switch. In other words, if the connection is not made at the trunk (insuring the hatch is down) it will not allow the tonneau release button to work.

 

Right on. The when in the up (open) position, the tonneau cover and the trunk lid can not occupy the same space at the same time. It must be one or the other. Trying to do so would not be a good thing and could cause some nasty damage.

 

OK!! Now if I understand this right, power goes from the switch to the trunk lock down. If the trunk is down then power is applied to the tonneau . My trunk has no power lock down. (read delete) where is the wire that goes to the tonneau solonoids? Or does the switch provide a ground and the power is already at the solonoids? Is there a fuse that controls all this?

I have already rewired the 3rd brake light since it also goes thru the lock down system. Hence the brake light does not work with the trunk open...

 

Wish this tread had continued as I am trying to get my release to work. need to know how this system is wired and where my problem could be.