On my 88 GTA anytime the car has a battery in it the hatch motor keeps running. My door key doesn't work on the rear lock either. What would cause it to keep running?

 

That SUCKS !!!

The problem is most likely a stripped gear. It's also possible that the plastic gear case is cracked or broken causing the gear to "skip" teeth rather than engage them. The other possibility is that the sensing switch is not working and not stopping the gear from turning when it should ( this usually leads to a stripped gear ! )

 

Agreed, motor keeps running = broken gear nut.

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...ull-down-units

Lon

 

Thats what I figured but I have no way to open the darn thing cause I dont have the key lol. I did open one once with a screw driver by breaking the lock but wouldn't that wreck the motor?

 

You can crawl inside and use a dremel tool to cut apart your rear hatch trim panel to access the hatch release cable. a hatch trim panel is a LOT more easily replaced than punching out the rear lock. You just need to cut a hole big enough to remove the 10mm screw holding on the hatch release cable. Then use a flat-blase screwdriver to rotate the latch release.

Lon

 

I'd hate to hack it up though since it is mint. What would I lose if I break the lock?

 

Good News: You CAN get the hatch open without destroying your plastic panel.

If your car has the optional hatch area Courtesy Light then it can be removed allowing access to the 10mm screw Lon Described. I've done this in the past myself to avoid ruining the rear hatch panel. It is NOT quick, you will need to be able to work in a very small area and will need a LOT of patience !

Once the light is removed I was able to remove the 10mm with a small wrench. Be advised; This is NOT easy !! Once the 10mm Screw is free,.... push the solenoid - or cable release - out of the way and use a screwdriver to move the hatch latch lock manually. ( as seen in this pic )



Good Luck !!

 

Be sure to check your guides while you have it tore apart.

 

You just loose the lock mechanism (and possibly bending the metal around it). It's not easy and takes a bit of force. The white piece in John's pic sits on the back of the lock and activates the latch. Otherwise if you can afford it take it to a locksmith.

 

Should have a light (I hope) and I hope I can fit back there and get out, otherwise they'll be cutting the roof off and the fat man is gonna have a custom GTA convertible lol

 

I have used John's method many times to get into the hatches of cars at wrecking yards. It does take patience, and a willingness to work in uncomfortable conditions, but it does work.

 

Whats a locksmith usually cost to do something like this? I need a re-key for my door lock on my 87 Trans Am since a different door was put on it so I guess I could kill two birds with one stone on this deal. When I talked to the guys at the dealer they said the last time someone did something like that it cost them around $30

 

Locksmiths can be expensive but I don't know the condition of your car etc., and if it's worth it to you. I used the screwdriver method on mine since the prev. owner swapped the door locks and lost the key for the rear. Mine had the cargo lid too so it wasn't accessible. I've also done a few at the junkyard and the results have varied and sometimes was more of a can of worms than I expected.

If you need new door locks you could just as well pick up a complete set and replace all of them at once. I'd try to get the best quality you can so you're no fiddling with crappy locks all of the time.