Hey guys,
So i have an all original 88 IROC. The pull down hatch stopped pulling down. I got an original unit from an 87 i believe from a long time forum member that was in working order. I saw videos. It was legit. I installed it with a reworked power wire. It pulled down (too far by about `1/4 of an inch, BUT the issue is that the hatch won't open with either the center console button OR the key in the rear. Frustrating. Any help would be appreciated. I have owned the car since 1989 and am getting it back on the road for me to take my kids out in, but not being able to pop the hatch stinks. When i engage the center console switch it clicks loudly, but does not release the hatch. Any help is SUPER appreciated. Thanks guys. ARA

 

My guess is that its too far down, and tension on the latch is keeping it from releasing.

You might have to have someone push down on the deck lid, while you try and release it.

 

Thanks. I marked with a sharpie the exact location of the original unit was and mounted the "new" unit in the same location. ? I will try your suggestions. Any other suggestions are certainly welcome. Thanks guys...>ARA

 

When you mounted up the cable, did you actuate it by hand to make sure it throws the lever and releases the latch? I never close my hatch until I see the cable pull work multiple times. Nothing will happen if the latch doesn't release, I think it's part of the electrical switch work.

If the cable pull is working, then maybe there's a clock spring that's broken that's supposed to rotate the latch free. Maybe pulling up on the hatch at the same time you're turning the key will overcome that. I'm just guessing, I have no idea if that's true.

 

If all else fails you could take the cable off the pull down assembly and throw the lever by hand to open the latch. But I'm guessing you installed the interior plastics (as anybody would) and there's no getting to it with the hatch closed.

 

Thanks. I did NOT put the interior plastics back on yet as i wanted to make sure it worked. Should i unbolt the cable assembly IF i can reach it? It's a tight fit. How do i throw the latch manually? Thanks for the insight fellas.

 

It works kind of like a rifle trigger. Remove the cable and push on the tab that's at the tip of my screwdriver. If I just push the screwdriver tip forward it unlatches. Very easy, can do it with your finger too.

This is all the cable does, it pulls the trigger to unlatch the pawl so the hatch can lift away.

** picture removed **

 

The fact you didn't install the rear plastic panel yet is HUGE !!!

Since you can access the hatch motor you're in good shape.

It sounds like when you removed the original key/cable and installed the Electric Solenoid /Cable you didn't set the electric solenoid "lever" in the proper place. You'll have to crawl in the hatch area, but you need to follow Quicks' advise and remove the electric solenoid by removing the 10mm bolt. Once you do you will be able to access the locking lever inside the hatch motor and the hatch will unlock.

* is IS possible to do this if the panel is installed,............ but the only time I've been successful is when the rear hatch panel has a rear mounted courtesy light. Once the light is removed that mounting hole allows JUST enough space to get in the to remove the 10mm bolt holding the solenoid ( or cable) in place. I've had to do this several times over the years when dealing with junkyard cars.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...losed-key.html

 

Guys,
Thanks. I was able to remove the solenoid and it's 10mm bolt. I flipped the latch. Hatch opened. Awesome, HOWEVER when i lowered the hatch it closed and pulled tight, BUT neither the center console switch NOT the key will open the hatch. I am in the same same spot i was. What am i missing???? All the help is SUPER appreciated. Thanks fellas.

 

Also, i didnt swap the cable from my original unit to the used unit. Is that a problem?

 

the original cable unit looked different from the cable unit that was on the used unit. I don't know if that's a problem. THanks

 

You can test things without closing the hatch. Just push the pawl down until it clicks into the latched position. Then you can test the poppers all you want.

Good news is you know the hatch can pop open, so the problem is just that something isn't moving the way it should to pull the trigger. I'd turn the key and watch if the cable moves, mock it up in place and see if it's throwing right. I'd push the hatch release button and watch if the solenoid rod moves. Start checking the basics of anything that's involved with pulling the trigger to release the hatch.

 

Thanks, i will try that tonight. The solenoid moves when i engage the console release switch. The motor moves the hatch release up and down. It's just that key does not open the hatch, it feels like it's doing nothing when i turn the key. Also the console switch will not pop open the hatch. I will mock up tonight as you suggested and see if i can get it to work. THANKS TO ALL, this forum is GREAT>

 

Ok fellas, i figured it out. I did NOT clock and position the cable solenoid properly. I did not know it had a lower tab/tongue that wrapped on the side of the motor to position itself, as well as not clocking the tooth gear on the release hatch (same tooth you manually operate to open the hatch. My bad. I stepped back, with minimal beer intake, and re-assessed the situation and it all made sense. Now my baby, that i've owned since 1989 works as it used to. Thanks to all that have chimed in here, and to the forum. Great bunch of enthusiasts. Regards......