Despite all the wiring diagrams, and all the parts I grab from the junkyard, I can't get this dang thing to work. Any help??

 

I don't know what's wrong with your current unit,.... I'd start by checking the PPD Fuse in the fuse-box and the Ground wire first.

If all else fails for you; I've got a fully functional Pull down unit available. Just send me a PM if you need the details.

 

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/

 

Here is a link to the Tech Article I wrote over a decade ago on repairing these pull-down units. First two pages cover the 86-87, next wto pages covers the 88-91.

https://www.thirdgen.org/tech/hatchpulldown.pdf

Yes I still make and stock the parts to repair these pull-down units. Good luck with the repairs.

Lon

 

Thanks, however I feel mine is more electrical than parts.

 

Hey Lon,
I just read your complete tech article on hatch pull down mechanism. I replaced some worn out shocks and coincidentally the hatch will not latch now and the motor stuck on. I disconnected the battery to get it to stop. When rear cover was removed, I had white plastic pieces laying in the trunk, noticed the plastic housing was cracked also. Thanks for the article and I'll check out your link and order a kit.

 

It sounds as if you need the TDS 204040 hatch repair kit. It includes a new reinforced housing, guides, gear nut, grease and instructions.

The "continues to run" issue is a bad gear nut.

Lon

 

Is that 204040 kit the correct one for an 89 Iroc Camaro? I trust you would know, it just looks a little different than the one in the car now. Just checking before I spend $100. Thanks

 

If your motor is OK, then TDS 204040 is the kit you need. If the motor is bad, then get kit TDS 300310.

Lon

 

Motor is fine, I'll order it right now. Looks like you're in LA, I'm in Temecula area, shouldn't take long to get it.

 

Thanks Lon, received my kit today, thanks for the quick shipping, gonna get at it.

 

Hey Lon, That's a nice kit for the rear pull down unit. Followed the tech sheet, and everything went perfectly, works like a champ! Can I align the rear hatch by positioning the whole assembly? The right side of the rear spoiler is sticking out about 1/4 inch. May have been that way, wondering if there's a remedy, Thanks.

 

step 1: hit motor with hammer.
step 2: lithium grease anything that moves
step 3: try to see if it works now

 

Hit the motor with a hammer huh? Prolly a bad plan. The housing is a brittle plastic, which is the biggest issue. People slam the hatch and crack the housings.

 

you hit it the same way you hit the starter, it jumps everything into place. I obviously don't mean wail on the thing lol

 

Well, you never know how someone may take your advice on here. Dude may break out a 5 lb sledge and go to town. Pecking on the motor with the handle of a large screwdriver may be better.

 

and i said hit the motor, as in the part where the magnets are. not the housing.

 

I totally understood where you were going. But that doesn't mean someone reading this next month,year,decade will. I was just clearing it up a little.
The motor is mounted by that housing, so any force applied to it will be put on the housing, even amplified by the leverage of the distance of the motor from the mount.

 

I don't see how that's possible. you shouldn't own a car if you lack common sense.

 

Talk with Lon@ Top Down Solutions. I just rebuilt my unit, works perfectly, without a hammer involved

 

why spend $100+ if tapping it with a hammer and lithium grease works 90% of the time.

 

Because, like I said earlier, The problem that happens more often than not is the housing breaks. Sometimes the plastic track guides split and drop out, sometimes the gear strips. If you fixed yours by tapping it and shooting some grease in it, you were one of the lucky ones. This is just the result of a bad design, not contacts getting corroded or arcing and galling like happens in a starter.


"You shouldn't own a car if you lack common sense."

Have you read some of the posts and questions by people on here? There is no entrance exam to buying a car. People do stupid things, not everyone is mechanically inclined. They may have worn out gears, bad track guides,and hit it with a hammer as you suggested. It doesn't work so they hit it harder. Now a simple fix turns into a complete replacement.

 

cool ****. I'm done with this thread.

 

Geez man, just tellin you what I had to do, relax

 

I'm just posting to say "hit it with a hammer" worked for me. I installed new guides for my hatch today, and when I tested it, the hatch lowered, and went up, but got stuck once up. I read this thread, and tapped the motor with the handle of a screwdriver. Now it works great!
Thanks!