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Hey guys, I have surfed through this site for a while looking for a solution to what I believe should be a simple fix. My hatch opened with the interior button release perfectly until last fall, when my father grabbed the hatch while it was opening and tried to open it. Now the mechanism raises the hatch, doesn't release and then brings it back down again. I've been looking into it and there doesn't seem to be any faulty wiring, however there is a L-Jointed latch that appears bent. So basically I have to release the trunk hatch with the key, the actual switch doesn't work properly.
It might help to know if you have the early or late hatch pulldown. The assembly changed in the middle of the 1991 model year, so if you have an early car it's the same basic setup as previous years, if it's a later car it has the 92 style. It matters since they function differently as well as having different parts.
similar issue, but my trunk doesn't even attempt to open at all, via switch or key.
I'm pretty sure all the plastic parts mentioned in the post above were all there and intact. Before I actually put the trunk down, I manually pressed in the switch to make the motor go down, it went all the way down until I heard a click and then it came back up...I did that twice before I actually tried to close the trunk. when I closed the trunk it pulled the trunk down nice and tight, but I don't believe I ever heard a click...and now I can't get my trunk to open. Does it think it's still trying to close?
Ok, so I tried to fix my trunk motor assembly today, replaced the motor 1992 camaro for the trunk motor assembly, also replaced the plastic gear on the inside. I lightly shut the trunk, and it pulled it down nice and tight...I went to pop it open with my trunk open button on the center console and nothing happened...so I went to open the trunk with my key behind the license plate, and nothing happened it's SHUT even my key doesn't release it now?
what's the deal, it seems like I fixed 1 problem and now introduced another, now I can't open my trunk at all?
Also my trunk/cargo interior light is on, and all the doors are shut...it thinks the trunk is open or something? why would it stay on.
Ok, my initial problem was my entire trunk motor assembly/backing plate was mounted too LOW...There is about 1'' of play that you can mount the backing plate up-down-left-right...mine required the backing plate to be almost all the way up and all the way to the right to line up with the latch. My trunk closes Beautifully now, and motor pulls it down flush and clicks the switch to let it know it's all the way down (AWESOME).
Now... new problem. when I use the trunk release switch in the center console, the trunk raises up, never unlatches, and then pulls the trunk back down. I've check for that both plastic pieces on the back of the backing plate and they are both there and not damaged visibly, can they be damaged electronically? I'm basically having the same problem the guy who wrote the first post on here. When I release my trunk via trunk switch from center console, it lifts the trunk all the way up, doesn't unlatch and pulls the trunk all the way back down again.
If indeed the lever is on the back side of the latch as shown in the photo I posted earlier and the latch release block. Your latch may messed up and not releasing. You haven't mentioned if you can release the latch with the key.
I think that is a question you'll have to answer for yourself, since you are the only one that physically can examine it. It is a very simple system. One end is attached to the backside of the key lock cylinder. It is held in place by two molded fingers that has an internal protrusion that slips into a groove on the OD of the lock cylinder. The other end of the cable consists of a molded plactic box that mounts to the latch assy with a single screw. The Cable is pulled by the rotational motion of the lock cylinder. The pull of the cable rotates a spool on the box end. There is a small rectangular hole in the center of the spool that slips over a rectangular shaft that goes through the latch. On the opposite r doing of the shaft is the lever that makes contact with the ramp. Just remove the box end of the manual release cable and take a look to see if the spool inside rotates when you turn the lock cylinder.
I got everything working now. Not sure what the problem was, but I took the spring out of the key latch assembly and sort of re-bent it or tried to put some life back into it, I think I might have over stressed it when trying to open the trunk via key too hard. I also raised the entire motor hatch assembly about 1/2'' and everything is working now.
Now time to replace the struts and the rear trunk/hatch is good to go! Other than the cloth shade cover I'm looking to buy somewhere. I know this isn't classifieds or anything, but through this ordeal of trouble shooting my hatch I'm left with a working 92 camaro trunk pull down motor, 92 latch assembly (missing plastic gear that goes on the work gear of the motor and the little lever piece on the back that tells the assembly to unlatch the trunk at the top position). I also have a brand new 89-91 camaro motor and housing...I miss ordered this part and ended up not being able to use it. I figured I would just let people know, otherwise I'm going to try and sell them on ebay, but I would like to contribute to people on here first if at all possible.
I am glad to have helped towards your solution. I only wish you had contacted me earlier. I could have saved you some time, money and frustration. I would have steered you away from purchasing those wrong parts you ordered.
Lon,
I have a similar situation here too.
I can use the switch or the key to open the hatch. It will unlatch and motor up but then immediately latch and then pull down the hatch. If I use the key, I can catch the hatch on its way up and get the hatch open. I'm just not quick enough to hit the switch and run back to grab the hatch.
So is this a sensor or switch failed or just the lift struts not strong enough to get the hatch up?
Maybe someone on here can help me the other day I was showing a friend my 92 firebird because he hasn't seen it sound system and everything so I had my trunk hatch open and everything then the sub started having smoke come out basically it is ruined not sure why still (I think water got it in when I opened the hatch) and now my car seems to think my hatch is closed when it's open. I've changed all the 20amp fuses doesn't fix it I've pressed the button doesn't help nothing I try will allow it to lock my trunk help please (I should add my button never fully worked it would just bring up turn on the light and drop and reseal it.
Your 91.5-92 pull-down unit has either a broken latch release plastic arm or the latch release block is missing. How it is supposed to function: Press the latch release switch, the motor is started for the up-cycle. As it travels up the plastic arm that is attached on the back side of the latch assembly makes contact with the ramp of the latch release block (attached to the back side of the tan colored plastic frame of the unit with 2 small screws). As the latch continues to travel up that arm is rotated and releases the latch. Then a tab on the latch assy makes contact with the reversing switch to turn off the motor. In your case that arm is broken and not making contact with the latch release block to release the hatch hook. Instead your hatch hook remains latched while the latch assy continues to travel up. When the reversing switch is tripped to shut off the up cycle immediately the striker sensing switch senses that the latch is engaged (as if you had closed the hatch) and it turns on the motor to travel down again. I've attached a picture of the latch assembly and the plastic lever that should be present. If it is indeed still there, then it is the latch release block that is broken or missing.
@lonsal, i know this is an old thread but would you happen to have a pic of how the spring under the lever sits? because mine broke and i need to make a new spring. thanks
@lonsal, i know this is an old thread but would you happen to have a pic of how the spring under the lever sits? because mine broke and i need to make a new spring. thanks
No photo of the small coil spring, But you're in luck. I checked my inventory and found a good used latch assy and have activated it on my web site.
Unfortunately unlike the reversing switch used on the earlier style (1986-early 91) that part of the reversing switch isn't removable. On the earlier switch it could easily be pried off using a small flat blade screwdriver so it could be replaced if broken. On the late 91-92 reverse switch it is not removable. It is molded as part of the body of the switch. I'm in a ZOOM Meeting currently and will find the switch and email it to you later.
