I have a 1986 Camaro Z-28.When I unlock the hatch,it goes up and the hatch motor stays running.Is the motor suppose to stay running?When closing the hatch it latches and motor stops running but does not seem to close tight.

 

When you open the hatch, the motor is supposed to lift the striker plate to the up position, than stop. If it continues to run, whatever is inside it that is supposed to turn off the motor is not turning the motor off. I have never taken one apart, so I don't know if it has a limit switch, or if a circuit controller senses high amperage from the locked rotor and cuts the power. If it is allowed to continue like it is it will shorten the life of the motor. When you close the hatch the motor is supposed to reverse directions and pull the hatch down tight against the stops and the seal, than stop. If it were my car, I would purchase a new motor from someone like Hawk's Thirdgen and swap it out. Swapping out the assembly should be straight forward. Maybe someone who knows more about it will chime in and give you a more definitive answer.

 

If it continues to run after reaching the top of it's cycle, then the gear nut is bad. It is a cheap fix cost-wise, but you'll need to dissassemble the pull-down unit to get it out. I sell the gear nut on my web site.

Take a look at the Tech Article I wrote that is posted under the General Repair section of Thirdgen.org.

Lon Salgren