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Hatch problem

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Old Dec 19, 2019 | 07:48 PM
  #1  
1988PontiacT/A's Avatar
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 78
Likes: 21
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: THM 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Hatch problem

Hi guys, something happened this week to the hatch and I don't know what. I popped the trunk and was loading stuff in it then when I tried to close it, it closed shut but for some reason the motor keeps running. I tried to check if there's anything obstructing it but it's clear of any blockages. It closed properly again but the motor seems to keep cycling between running and not and I've been lucky it hasn't killed the battery yet even after overnight of doing that. Has anybody here encountered the same thing? any tips/tricks that you can give me would be surely appreciated, thanks in advance guys!
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Old Dec 25, 2019 | 03:13 PM
  #2  
ploegi's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 28
From: Adrian, Mi, USA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Hatch problem

Does it actually pull the hatch down? The internal gears may have stripped...... I don't remember how it decides to turn off. Haven't had to deal with it for a while.
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Old Dec 26, 2019 | 06:08 PM
  #3  
1988PontiacT/A's Avatar
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Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 78
Likes: 21
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: THM 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Hatch problem

Originally Posted by ploegi
Does it actually pull the hatch down? The internal gears may have stripped...... I don't remember how it decides to turn off. Haven't had to deal with it for a while.
Yes it does and it fully closes it but for some reason the hatch mechanism turns on as if it's unlatched. It usually starts even after acting like that overnight but I've been off since friday and and I haven't started it since then and when I started it today the battery was completely DEAD. I tried to boost it but the battery was still not strong enough to start it even after letting it be hooked up to my truck for almost 45 minutes. Might need to get a new battery but I wish there was a way to just turn off that hatch mechanism and just close it manually. Do you guys know a way of turning off the hatch mechanism? I'd really appreciate it! This is the only big problem that has come up so far after daily driving it since I got it last August.
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Old Dec 27, 2019 | 02:29 PM
  #4  
ASE doc's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 29
From: Aurora, OR
Car: 87 IROC Z28
Engine: 355 cid TPI
Transmission: Custom Built 700R4 w/3,500 stall
Axle/Gears: QP fab 9" 3.70 Truetrac
Re: Hatch problem

There are switches that control the pull down motor relay. The closed position switch is probably not operating properly. Another possible cause is the plastic rack, that attaches to the latch, and the drive gear of the motor runs on to raise and lower the latch. If it breaks, the motor will run on trying to close the hatch fully, but it can't pull the hatch down tight. I bought an upgraded unit from Hawks, IIRC, that has been reinforced to prevent breaking.

Do you have the factory service manual? The electrical diag suppliment has a good diagram of the hatch control circuit. You would need a test light to check the switches and relay.
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Old Dec 28, 2019 | 03:47 PM
  #5  
1988PontiacT/A's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 78
Likes: 21
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: THM 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Hatch problem

Originally Posted by ASE doc
There are switches that control the pull down motor relay. The closed position switch is probably not operating properly. Another possible cause is the plastic rack, that attaches to the latch, and the drive gear of the motor runs on to raise and lower the latch. If it breaks, the motor will run on trying to close the hatch fully, but it can't pull the hatch down tight. I bought an upgraded unit from Hawks, IIRC, that has been reinforced to prevent breaking.

Do you have the factory service manual? The electrical diag suppliment has a good diagram of the hatch control circuit. You would need a test light to check the switches and relay.
Thank you for the tips!, I will try those out. I ordered a service manual of it from amazon and I'm just waiting for it to come then I'll work on it.
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