I have an 85 ta without a hatch release on the dash. If I bouht a switch on eBay or somthing is all the other wiring and equipment in the car already or should I just leave it alone?

 

You would need the switch, a relay, a hatch release solenoid, and wiring going to the back. If you can make your way into a junk yard, you can get the relay, release solenoid, and wiring from any camaro or firebird in the yard (obviously if firebird grab the switch). It's very easy to wire in, and i've done it myself. Only reason i say wiring is i like having factory plugs so that they don't get pulled easily, but you can just use a female spade connector and your own wire. Only half of the harness is there in a firebird.

 

When you buy the Release Solenoid be sure it's from an 82-85. The 86-91 style release Solenoid will not work on a non-PPD car.

You should not need to replace the locking latch for the hatchback,..... but you might need to remove a "block-off" plate that was left in place on some non optioned cars. ( see the area circled. )



See your PM's for more info,.............

 

Now that you mention that, if John can't take car of you, I can get you the relay, wiring, and release solenoid from my '84 berlinetta parts car. I may even have a Firebird release switch too if you want the entire package. Let me know, i would have to find my extra switch.

 

Do 85s really not have the wiring? On the later cars, all the plugs and wires are there, they're just wrapped in sticky backed foam. Add the relay, switch, and solenoid and you're done. Keep in mind if the car is a 5spd, the ebrake needs to be engaged to pop the hatch. In most cases the hatch release relay is the same part number as the horn relay, so they're easy to find and cheap.

 

I'm pretty sure it's just lacking the button harness & black wire running from the solenoid to the Black wire/connector on the dash harness. (in the area of the kick panel.) The Relay Plug & Button Plug should already be waiting on the dash harness.

Here's the 85 Specific FireBird system ( 86 up used a different solenoid.)

 

Yea it was my understanding you had everything ready except the wire that ran back to the solenoid. While i had my interior stripped, i found no trace of a wire back there for the solenoid, so i had to get one from a car that had it. Other than that, relay plug is behind knee panel on passenger side, and switch plug is behind the guages bezel, and then you just wire it and mount the solenoid.

 

Interesting... I wonder when they started putting the hatch release wiring in everything? I want to say all my 86 Firebirds had it, but I can't remember which ones had the A90 option.

 

As far as the Hatch it started in 90' for the Camaro's with the re-designed dash housing....... Probably true for the FireBirds too.

 

I'm looking to install a rear hatch release button, and from what you're saying the wiring is already there? All I need to buy then would be the button itself, the relay and the hatch release solenoid?