got an electric hatch motor in my 86 t/a but the motor won't release the hatch and pulls it back down as if I closed it. not sure if it's an adjustment thing or what. the only way I can open it is to lift up the hatch while I unlock it with the key. remote button can't be used either. hatch stays hooked and goes back down. any help is greatly appreciated. haven't been on this site for a while. Thanks again.

 

Are the support struts shot? When they get weak the weight of the hatch will just cause it to latch again. When they're in good shape, the hatch will open all the way when you press the button or turn the key.

 

Might have weak struts but the hatch does stay open when I lift it by hand. I have the black wrap around spoiler and don't ever remember it opening up by itself even with new struts. That spoiler does make it pretty heavy.

 

The struts can get pretty weak before they won't hold the hatch up, and still be too weak to keep the pulldown from latching immediately. As much as I hate to suggest throwing parts at the problem, that's what I'd suggest. Rock Auto has the struts for $17 each.

 

Thanks for the help. I'll probably give it a try this weekend. But doesn't it pay to go with a delco or other brand name for them? won't they last longer?

 

My hatch was doing the same thing. And my struts would also hold up my hatch when I lifted it. I replaced them with struts I found in a junkyard for 4.99 each and the problem was solved just like that. If that's not it, you can also loosen up the three main bolts that hold the hatch motor and try raising or lowering it to make a minor adjustment of how the motor sits.

 

I wouldn't spring for AC Delco unless you're a stickler for original parts. There's a pretty good change GM didn't manufacture the originals, and replacements will probably be cosmetically different anyway. It might even be a better idea to buy them at your local auto parts store, since most of them are lifetime warranty. There's no way to know how long a new pair will last.

 

Well,I put on some new struts and they are no better than the ones I took off. Still only hold the hatch up after I lift it up. Have to lift hatch up to get it to stay in any position. Doesn't fall but does not raise on it's own at all. Going to talk to my parts man Monday but wondering still if the struts should raise the hatch after you push the release button or not. The hood struts do that just fine. Lift the hood 6" and goes up the rest by itself. Bugging me cause it worked fine last year and didn't relatch itself but don't remember if it raised in it's own. Thanks for any help or insight.

 

FWIW, my hatch motor doesnt work either but its one of those things that I am not inconvenienced by yet enough to throw money at it.

I will say this though, I bought some lifts from the local auto parts store to replace the spent factory ones and I merely turn the key to open the lock and the hatch opens without any input from me. Turn the key, and up she goes - I dont have to lift it or anything. They are pretty beefy lifts.

 

Just to let everyone know that the problem was not the struts but the adjustment of the unit. I messed with it several times adjusting it up and down until I got it to work right. I have the HEAVYYYYYY black wrap around spoiler and the struts can not raise the hatch - only assist. Talked to the manufacturer and said that's all they are designed to do. Open the hatch and the motor raises the hatch and it stops at the top of the unit then you have to raise it. Struts are made to hold hatch in position you put it in. I made the adjustment with the struts off and that thing has got to weight 50lbs. or more. Hope this helps someone else.

 

That doesn't change the fact that if the hatch support struts are worn out, the weight of the hatch will just cause the lock to latch and the hatch will go back down again.

Good to hear you got it figured out!

 

That is true. All I'm saying is that if the struts hold open your hatch then take a look at your pull-down adjustment.

 

What hatch shocks did you go with? The shocks are supposed to be able to open all the way, but with the addition of the heavy wrap around spoiler and louvers, it made it difficult. GM actually had different part numbers for cars with certain spoilers, certain options like rear wiper and louvers. I'm going to be getting new shocks for my bird soon and would like to restore the original convenience as mine will latch if I don't raise it up by the time the latch is moved all the way to the top.

 

Got the ones for the wrap around rubber spoiler with the wiper. Supposed to be the strongest ones. Yours is the same problem I had. With mine adjusted it will raise and release the hatch and then stop. I have to lift it the rest of the way. Might not be the same for others but I know I have the heaviest hatch. Good luck

 

I'm sorry, I meant what company's shock did you go with? Just want to know because besides my firebird, my '92 maro is getting louvers on the back, and the shocks are good for now, but in the future want to know what's a good company. I had a chance to get shocks for free off of my buddys car, but they were for non-defrost, but the first 6" would actually nearly throw the hatch up and the rest of the shock would guide it slowly up, so it was fully automatic as it should be. Even as you closed it, you'd get it nearly shut, and feel a stronger resistance at the very bottom as you pushed it closed. If they were for a defrost window, I would have swiped them already. Gave em to a buddy of mine with a Z20 firebird spoiler, and it works beautifully.