i have an 88 formula. the entire cars harness is basically butchered and the trunk wont open because the hatch isnt getting power. now with the gigantic piece of plastic in the way how do i open the trunk? oh yeah not to mention i do not have a key to open the trunk. how in the world do i open my trunk so i can install a new harness?

Does the hatch pull-down unit have the optional solenoid release? If so you could find the black wire that provides power to release the solenoid and pop it with a battery. To access the pull-down motor on junkyard cars I have to wreck the plastic trim panel covering the hatch by cutting a hole to get to the 10mm screw that attaches either the manual or the solenoid hatch release from the latch assy. Once youget that off it is a simple matter to reach into the square hole to rotate and release the latch release tab. It is pretty easy to find a good surround trim panel from another doner car at a pick-a-part yard to replace the one you wrecked.

You might be able to get a hack-saw blade holder and slip the blade into the gap between the hatch and body to cut off the hatch hook.

Lon

its got the button to push to make it pop open. so could i just put the wire straight to a battery to make it pop?

Yes, you just need to put power to the black wire that plugs into the end of the solenoid to energize the solenoid. The solenoid is isolated from ground by the guides in the track, so make sure that ground wire from the 10mm screw to the body ground location below the hatch pull-down unit is there.

If your plan was to put power to the hatch release switch, be aware that there are several other circuits that must be closed to ground the hatch release relay or the solenoid will not pop. These are safety measures GM put in place to make sure you don't pop the hatch while driving.

If you're just trying to pop the hatch, then just power the solenoid hot wire directly.

Lon

Another related hatch question!
My original 86 T AM is now on the road and hatch will not close as of today. Worked yesterday. How can I diagnose the problem? Is it a solenoid or motor issue, please advise.

I'll need a bit more info than that. Check your contract, maybe it has Friday's off by contractual agreement? lol

It is stuck in the up or down position?

First thing to check is that you have power at the red/white stripe wire that plugs into the blue wire.

Yours could be stuck midway down on the down-cycle. It will not come back up until it has completed the down-cycle. You MUST hear a CLICK sound of the reversing swich being tripped every time the unit cycles up or down. Press on the small paddle of the striker-sensing switch. If it was stuck midway on the down cycle and everything is working properly, pressing the switch will energize the motor to complete the down cycle. When you hear the CLICK release the switch and the unit should power all the way back up.


Lon

Take the VIN and proof of ownership/car to dealer and have a key made.
IF its the orginal lock you'll be set.

Hatch lock just does not close automatically. I can close the latch while hatch is open with my fingers and the key will then open the lock. I am guessing a relay is shot

Just a bump. I need help on 86 hatch lock!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think so. To confirm if the problem is the relay you can unplug it and try to cycle the hatch pull-down unit.

Lon

That would be the striker-sensing switch.

There are indeed two switches on the hatch pull-down unit, but that thing you describe is not the second switch. From your description it sounds as if you are describing the spring-loaded nylon block that slides up and down and helps center the hatch hook. The second switch on the pull-down unit is attached to the motor with a single phillips-head screw.

Lon

Thanks guys
I had a problem with switch nomenclature, but I tripped the little black lever as someone had posted its picture and all works now. Who would know that the switch was a tiny inconspicuous rod that makes the hatch lock work!
Thanks for help all.

My next topic requirement I will need help with will be a cut wire I found (actually chewed in two by a nesting field mouse) under the hood. Egads!