Hello All,

I just picked up a 92 Camaro RS and the first thing I notice about it is that it doesn't seem to have a hatch release switch like my older 86 Iroc did. The previous owner said he had disconnected the pull down motor because it was running the battery dead. So I have a couple questions if any one can point me in the right direction to others who have had this problem, links where I can find other info, or a good description of what I'm looking at, I would appreciate it. Here are the things I am curious about.

What about the hatch pull down could be making it run the battery dead? The lock cylinder is damaged because they lost the original key and tried to use a screwdriver or something like that. Could that be an issue or is it wiring?

If I wanted to set this up with a switch inside for a release like my old car had, can that be done with the original setup I have or if I was to get one out of an older car could that easily be wired in to work with my car.

I plan to replace the lock cylinder on the hatch as soon as I'm able to either way, I'm just curious of what my options are here and I don't want to start hooking wires back up until I have an idea what I should expect or be looking for, I've don't a of of different wiring in cars before so I'm not afraid to do some custom work if needed if I can get ahold of a diagram so I can figure out what's what easier.

Thank you for any help,
Jim

 

If it has no switch, it probably doesn't have the remote release and the PO lied to you. I mean who would go through the trouble of "disconnecting it" AND replace the panel with one without the hatch button? Just disconnect it and be done with it. You'll have to pull the rear panel out and look at the release mechanism

 

I believe I had stated that it doesn't have the switch, I would like to wire one in with an older style pull down motor that does have a switch. It does have a pull down motor without a switch and the pull down motor is disconnected. He said the motor was running the battery dead. I was wondering what about the motor could be running the battery dead before I hook anything back up, and what the wiring would be like if I was to wire in an older style that does.

 

If it's a 92, you need a 91.5-92 pulldown setup, or you have to change the striker on the decklid, AND the large steel bracket that is spot welded to the body where the pulldown bolts in. The early style won't even bolt in place of the later without cutting.

You might not need the pulldown from a car with the release, may be able to rebuild the one you have. You will need the switch, and relay. Find the plug for the switch behind the panel, find the plug for the relay and plug it in, pull the E-brake and press the button, should pop the hatch.

 

 

So I finally tore into the trunk and started poking around. Turns out the motor for the pull down was removed completely not just unplugged. So for now I just manually turned the gear to get the trunk to be lower when I close it and got a new lock cylinder installed so I can open it easier. In the process I learned that there were a lot of other things on this car that need to be fixed and/or replaced so I think they are going to be the next main concern before I worry about this issue for a while, so one I have them figured out I will be back to this one. For now though on to engine and other modification questions... lol

thank you for all the advice and help.