tazz3871

Hey guys I owned an 87 GTA and I have the following issue when I press the hatch release button the hatch doesn't release it will open with the key is there a relay or fuse for this hatch release button thanks any help is appreciated

DJP87Z28

One question. When you close the hatch, dose the hatch motor pull it down???

tazz3871

recently happened where it didn't and now it does

DJP87Z28

Well what is it??? Your reply is sort of vague....

SweetRevelation

what he means is that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, this goes for both the hatch release button and the motor-pull-down itself.

I've had the same issues and even still with a different rear hatch pull-down-motor installed... although it actually functions more frequently now...

tazz3871

no the hatch release does not work but the hatch pull does

DJP87Z28

Since the pull down has power, I would just replace the switch. I also hope you did not do any work on the center console by chance??

tazz3871

No work has been done on the centre console what would that have to do with the hatch switch anyways the switch is on the dash

TreeFiddy

Ok, so hatch pull-down works but hatch release doesn't. Got shifter in P/N if auto or park brake on if manual? Acc fuse intact?

tazz3871

yes to all of the above

BADASS91B4C

my car is doing the same thing. hatch motor pulls down but the switch on the center console wont open it only the key

TreeFiddy

Does the release solenoid on the hatch motor click when you push the button?

NINÅ

tazz3871

no i don't hear a sound when I press on the button

BADASS91B4C

mine doesn't make a sound either

TreeFiddy

Find and check the relay, like Nina said.

Power flow goes from batt, to Acc fuse, to release switch, to hatch relay coil, and then back to ground thru either the p/n switch (auto) or park brake switch (manual).

Hatch relay then switches power to the release solenoid coil in the hatch motor.

Might have to break out the voltmeter and track it, power is getting interrupted somewhere.

tazz3871

No there's no sound coming from the rear at all

tazz3871

great thanks I looked it up on the weekend and keep you posted

tazz3871

Thanks Nina will get on it this weekend will keep you posted

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Your statement implies that the if the hatch pull-down has power, then the hatch release should also have power. They are on separate fused circuits.

Lon

STREETDEMON

So if I did an LSX/T56 swap in my L98/Auto car, then I have killed the necessary connection from the p/n switch? That would explain why it doesn't work now...I'll have to try it with the clutch pushed in and that switch engaged.

TreeFiddy

Sounds possible, but if you've re-wired there no guarantee it's ended up connected to the clutch switch either. You might have to get in there, find the original wire to the p/n switch, and connect it to the park brake switch.

Don't just ground it, this creates the possibility of being able to accidentally hit the button and pop the hatch while moving.

onthedownlow

iTrader: (4)

My hatch release wont work unless I have the e brake on. Thanks to this thread I now know that this is normal for a third gen with a standard transmission.

tazz3871

Finally completed my search and thanks Nina and Treefiddy for all of your inputs I discovered that the relay is the culprit. Thanks a bunch

STREETDEMON

well, mine works with the clutch pushed in....thats good to know! even a blind hog gets an acorn once in a while.

jdhh74

iTrader: (2)

Hi - mine works with the clutch pushed in too (1984, manual).

It will does this with the e-brake on or OFF.

I'm assuming that's not right. Why would the clutch switch be acting like the parking brake switch in this case? Are they part of the same circuit?

rkg8554

iTrader: (10)

sorry to hijack but I have a question, my hatch release switch works and my hatch opens with switch, but the latch does not move up when the release switch unlocks the hatch. I installed a used but very good condition latch assembly. When installed the latch was in the up position. I closed the hatch and everything worked as it should. But know the the latch stays in the lower position. Elec release works and I close like a manual latch. I know with the old latch that you do not slam the hatch but lightly let it make contact with the latch and it pulls the hatch closed. When releasing the hatch the latch would travel up and then release the hatch.Any ideas ?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Push the tab in the latch down with your finger, to see if it's all the way down. If the pulldown doesnt get all the way down, it wont reset for the reverse, and it wont come back up.

rkg8554

iTrader: (10)

Yes it is all the way down, so I am guessing the reversing switch is bad.
Thanks

Lively

Maybe someone can help with my issue...

Same problem, hatch wont open with switch. Pull down motor is working, relay clicks when parking brake is engaged not when disengaged (so thats working i assume), Does not do anything different when i push in clutch like others have said.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

OK, so the hatch release circuit has power. Check that there is a ground wire running from the 10mm screw attaching the hatch release solenoid to the body ground location below the pull-down unit. If it is missing that's your problem. The solenoid needs that ground wire in place to function since it is electrically isolated from ground by the plastic guides in the track.

Lon