ive looked at every possible forum on this site, other sites, and asked around many places. but i am still having trouble with this. i Have a 1986 firebird, it doesnt really have anything, it has defrost and a pull down hatch motor. a couple months ago i wanted to see if i can install a trunk release button on my dash board. this is where i have questions.

1.) ive seen photos of this harness that plugs behind the dash cluster. right next to the steering column, what is it called or does anyone have a wiring diagram so i can connect the pigtail for the trunk release.

2.) there is a wire that connects from the trunk release solenoid on the hatch motor, where does that wire connect? ive heard there is maybe something behind the speaker panel, but i couldnt find anything. other people have said its by the kick panel. i was able to find the inline fuse, but nothing else in regards to connect said wire. there is one loose connector, but from the photos ive seen online, i dont believe it would connect.

3.) there is a loose 4 wire connector (PAD 29 ?) next to the hidden relay, by the passenger dash. does that relate to any of this.

4.) Has anyone else done a clean install of a trunk release in a stock firebird before. if so, any advice on how to get it working

 

I did it a long time ago and don't remember all the details. I bought a used dash panel with the switch and the relay that goes under the dash on the passenger side and the servo for the release. If I remember it was all plug and play. The hardest part was getting the relay connected under the dash. All the wiring was in place already just not used.

 

Your car has a working hatch motor but there's no release button on the dash?

The bottom ledge of the 85-88 Firebird dash bezel has spaces for three switches: 1) GAIN switch for the subwoofer system, 2) rear defogger switch, and 3) hatch release switch.



When such an option was not installed on a car, then a blank filler piece filled the space for the switch. But it's possible, even likely, that the harness and connector were installed anyway. Does your dash have a blank filler piece where the button should be, or is there just a hole, maybe where a button used to be?

Here are pictures I saved of a button listed on ebay right now. It takes four wires, so the four-wire connector you found in your car is probably it. And since you have the motor and it works, then you probably don't have to do anything except plug a button into that connector.


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In my case, I just need to know where the 12v+ wire from the hatch release solenoid routes to the switch on the dash...

 

It should be already wired to the connector under the dash. Just plug it onto the switch.