Hello, I am new to the forum and have a question on adding factory hatch release. From what I have found through search, it should pretty much just be plug and play. I have purchased the switch, relay, and solenoid, but I can't find any of the wiring. I have an 86 Trans Am any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also just want to say "Thanks" to everyone on the forum. I've already tightened my steering column and fixed my 3rd brake light by searching threads here.

 

Alright, when I take the dash panel off, there is a connector that looks like it needs a wire harness that would go to the accessory switches. Is this correct? That connector sits on what would be directly behind the switch panel closer to the steering column. I pulled the rear panel in the trunk and the only loose wire that I see is a white wire with a capped off end. I thought the wire I'm looking for was supposed to be black. Is that white wire the right one? And lastly, I can't find where the relay plugs into. I looked around underneath the passenger side dash with no luck.
Still stumped.

 

I ended up running a new wire and added a relay in the trunk to pulse the solenoid that I added. I found an oem solenoid with cable and thingy that attaches to the oem latch assembly since mine wasn't power release.

 

Thanks for the reply. What did you do about the release switch? Was your connector in the car?

 

I did this and all of the wiring should be there. You just need to find it. The switch should be easy it's behind the center switch panel. Just find the correct connector and plug it in. The single loose wire in the trunk should be the switch wire for the solenoid. The biggest pain was finding the harness under the passenger side dash to plug in the relay. I was on my back and digging in there for ages and then there wasn't much give in the loom or space to get the relay plugged in. But it can be done. It should be plug'n'play but there are struggles. I also swapped the trunk key barrel to retain the original key.

 

i added a remote door unlock kit to my car.i use that to unlock the trunk.i don't have a hatch,but same difference.

 

Thanks for the replies. I've been busy and haven't had time to work on my car. But I will continue my wire hunt and let you know how it goes.

 

Well I managed to get some time to look for the wiring again. No luck. I seem to be having the same issue that this thread is talking about. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...wer-hatch.html However, I can't even find the connector for the relay. I have found three connectors. One behind the panel where the switches go (same one mentioned in the other thread). Two behind the dash pocket, neither one will work with a relay.
So is the 86s wiring that much different? I'm completely stumped.

 

I pulled the switch, relay and solenoid from an '86 and put them straight into my '91. can figure out which relay connector the switch connects to. Measure the resistance to figure it out if needed. Also which relay connects to the free wire in the trunk? There are different relays with different pin layouts.

 

I took the dash apart to get some pics of what I'm talking about. First is the connector behind the panel that would hold the switch. Second is a connector on the passenger side. Third is what I believe to be where the relay plugs into, perhaps?

 

looks familiar.

 

So am I right that I need a harness from the connector in the first pic to the switch? Also am I correct that the third pic is where the relay goes?

 

Not sure what the first picture is. The second is where the switch goes and the third is where the relay goes. Connect the free wire in the trunk to the solenoid, make sure it's grounded and it should work.

 

I finally had time to check on the wiring again. The switch I bought will not plug into either of the connectors that I have found under the dash. Here is what the back of the switch looks like, compared to the previous pictures.

 

I'm looking at doing this to my 89. My shop manual shows the relay located in the console. Earlier cars may be different. I haven't looked yet to see if the connector is there, so can't verify.

 

the pictures you posted are not for the hatch release. The last pic is for the rear defroster.

The hatch release on a stock 3rd gen gets a red 14 gauge feed wire - hot at all times from a splice under the dash. That splice is what provides power to the headlight switch and the headlights aswell. Then this red wire goes to a loose fuse holder next to the IP fuse block. Then a red/white wire goes from there to the connector towards the back of the car, under the rear left quarter next to the back seat. There is a white connector there which also supplies power to the rear lights. I believe stock, it is Pin A. Then it goes to the hatch motor at the back of the car.

Release is more intricate. If you are adding this, you will want to stay away from the stock relay for our cars. Simply because you need two or three pushes of the button before anything happens. The first time it clicks then tow or more tries and it finaly opens. The relay you want is found on 4th gen cars. It is used for trunk and to flash the parking lights with their alarm. Search that and you will get what you need or pull it in eh junk yard. For this relay, like most GM relays you will need the base where the wires plug into (plastic- black- relay snaps into it.)

On a stock third gen the relay sits behind the pass side of the dash.

What you will need to do is what is pictured in this schematic

Stock is wired through the switch. mine is wired differently because I have a Body Control Module in my car.

With yours you will take the wire that goes to the BCM and from the BCM and they will be connected together. Essentially that pin of the switch goes to that pin on the relay.

 

If you have to press the hatch switch more than once something is wrong with it. I plugged in the switch, relay and solenoid to the existing wiring and it worked with one press ever since. Probably 80% of the time was finding the relay connector under the passenger side lower dash.

 

You would think, but its not the switch. As soon as I reworked my harness to accept the other newer style relay, it has worked flawlessly. Besides, the relays that GM equipped our cars with are notorious for being either crap, or time wearing them out. (The door lock relay is crap, the others just wear out)

 

So will I need the whole wire harness for the trunk release then? Or is part/some of it in the car?

 

I think it should all be there. You just have to find it. Switch connector, relay connector and white switch wire in the trunk.