I'm trying to lose weight where I can and also the hatch pull down motor isn't working. So I thought I'd take it all out together. Right now the hatch won't latch while the motor isn't working.

If I take the whole assembly out will it latch?

 

As long as you have the latch on the bottom of the hatch and the hook on the body that it latches to it should close and latch. I would recommend scavenging for a non-pulldown set up though just to make sure you have all that you need.

 

The later model non pull down receivers like yours use a lower profile bracket that won't work with your current interior trunk center piece. I've heard of people swapping out an earlier bracket (iirc 82-83) so they can keep their interior piece, but that requires welding once you locate the bracket.

You should be able to cycle you current pull down unit so that it will close. Make sure it's down far enough to close the hatch completely. You might have to remove it to do so.

 

Here is a thread on the topic:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...atch-pull.html

 

I think I'm gonna have to just try and fix it.

So I'll try and run power to it. Does anybody know what color the hot wire running to it is?

 

This might help.

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

 

Oh, thank you. I was playing around with it and found that there was play to adjust the latch up or down. So I shoved it up as high as it would go, tightened the bolts and tried it and it latched! So I'm gonna leave it for now.

 

Yep, that's what a lot of us do. I have to mess with one of mine too but I just haven't had the time. Glad you got it to where it's manageable.

 

I took the hatch motor out. Marked where the hatch sits flush and welded it in place. Shuts like a truck. No pain of the hatch motor.

 

Thanks for your help guys