Hey guys,

im searching now for more then 5 hours
and i found a lot of hatch motor problems,
but nothing similar to mine.


Everything works except if i push the button on the Inside
the hatch open cycle will start but at the top of its way
it wont release and it closes the hatch after.

There is no problem if i use the key to open it, the motor travels up, i open the hatch to get inside the trunk,
when i close the hatch it travels down.

It's only the, why doesn't the hatch pull down motor release the hatch when its on the top end of its operating range.

Please can anyone help me

i think this is a minor problem so i dont want to buy a hole new unit

 

what condition are your hatch struts in? mine would do this because the stuts were gone and the it was the weight of the hatch keeping the latch "latched" and it would let the hatch ride out the full cycle. i put new stuts on and the hatch raises about 2-4 in above the motor assy on its own and sometimes it will raise all the way by itself.

 

I have the same exact problem, Its the struts, I just havent gotten around to getting new ones.

 

have an assistant pull the hatch the moment you open it or on it's way up. If it opens it's indeed the struts. If not, it's the unlock solnoid, it's bolted to the pull down motor. If there is none, try pulling a seperate ground wire to the solenoid retaining bolt, usually that'll fix a non functional one. I think there is a ground wire in the factory harness but these cars sometimes have been butchered and the wiring can be a mess. I have seen more than 1 without the separate ground

 

Thanks Guys,

it is denfinitely not the Struts, i checked that already, (you can pull so hard until your D80 Spoiler comes off and it still wont release )
its something with this mysterious solenoid that doesn`t release anymore.

there is no broken cable ore any visible damage,
so i have to check where this solenoid exactly is,

it would be very helpful if anybody have a picture of that solenoid removed.

@Twin-Turbo: thanks i think you have nailed it, but i dont understand exactly what do
you mean with
"try pulling a seperate ground wire to the solenoid retaining bolt"

Here are 3 different pictures of the whole unit:
(red arrow points at where "I" think the solenoid is)

1. this is mine 91-92
2. i think the pre version 82-90
3. some in between 90-91?? no clue!! maybe without electrical support (only with key)

(Important: i have a 92 Firebird, so i know that they have changed the pulldown unit in the last years of production)

 

I didn't realize you had a 92, in that case my post doesn't apply, sorry

 

Markus, leave the hatch open and trip the latch like it was closed and examine the parts to see whats going on. you'll need a helper to pop the latch.

 

Since you have a late 91-92 here is the prohblem. Either the latch release block is missing or the lever on the back side of the latch is broken. The latch release block is attached to the back side of the frame with two small screws. It is black plastic and has two ramps molded into it.
[IMG]downsolutions.com/image/cache/data/Products/706250-500x500.jpg[/IMG]

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...r-91-92-f-body

If that latch release block is still attached to the frame, then check that there is still a plastic lever on the back side of the latch assembly (see the picture).



http://www.top-downsolutions.com/hat...latch-assembly

How this works is the as the latch assembly rises the lever on the back side of the latch makes contact with the ramp on the latch release block. The lever rotates 90 degrees which opens the latch to release the hatch hook. If either item is broken or missing no latch release. Both items are available from my web site from the links I attached.

Lon Salgren

 

Lonsal yes, yes thank you so much you are right,

and thank you other Guys for your help too.


@Lonsal
it is exactly that lever that is broken, red arrow------>

so it can't make contact with the latch release block, in that case it doesn't turn and
of course doesn't release

thank you so much i have searched endless

 

The info they provided is correct for the 86-91 style pull-down motor and I would have given the same info. That is why it is important to let us know what year of car you have.

Back to your situation. That lever is important and difficult to repair. It is easier to replace the entire latch assembly from another 91.5-92 from a pick-a-part yard. I also have the part available if you can't find it.

Lon