NCC-2569

iTrader: (1)

Hi guys. When I go over a bump or pothole my hatch lid will pop open at times.
My hatch struts aren't strong enough to push the hatch open, so the latch will remain in position and the pull down motor closes the hatch after going up. All of this while driving.
I'm assuming the cause to be of a mechanical nature, not electronical.
This is a remote unlock hatch, so there is the solenoid on the motor and I suspect it has something to do with the parts connecting in that area. I just don't see a road bump rattling any of those into a different position.
I can't remote unlock the hatch while driving, by the way, so the failsafes are in place and working.
There is also the usual popping sound like when the hatch is unlocked by key, again pointing me toward that area.

Any ideas about this?

topduarte

iTrader: (8)

It seems the locking mechanism is not properly closing all the way so a bump just gives it enough to loosen it.

NCC-2569

iTrader: (1)

I think I know what you mean. The only way I see it doing that is by binding somewhere. Maybe some grease would help. I'll have to check that.

topduarte

iTrader: (8)

Take off the rear plastic cover and have a friend close it while you are in back seat to see how it latches.

Your situation kind of reminds of how Texas DPS (Department of Public Safety) 91-92 5 speed B4C camaros had the rear hatches opening during high speed chases here in Texas.

This had to do with state troopers touching the power hatch switch when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (or down shifting from 5th to 4th gear). 91-92 B4C camaros came only with power hatch release and and radio. No pwer options or upgraded seats. All 5-speed 305's.

They solved the problem but adding a clear hard plastic cover (the size of matchbox or hot wheels plastic bubble) over the switch. The plastic cover would rotate on a hinge when the troopers needed to open the rear hatch.

I remember seeing these as I lived across the street from Texas DPS in Austin from mid 1992 till mid 1996 and would go over to see which cars were going to auction the next month. I asked a mechanic about that cover and that is the story he told me.

WildCard600

I thought the hatch switch only worked if the e-brake was on? Also the Firebird has the hatch switch on the dash and not on the console so even if pressing the button could potentially work while the car is running, I don't think it would be possible to hit it accidentally.

StevenK

iTrader: (1)

As I understand it, the ground goes through the park / clutch switch before running to the relay in the center console.

NCC-2569

iTrader: (1)

If it runs through the clutch switch, then I can see how manually shifting would bring a knuckle close to that switch, even in a Firebird, and then releasing the hatch.
In auto trans models e-brake isn't required for hatch release, at least not in my case. Park position switch is the word on that.

I guess I'll have to take off the remote relase assembly for a while and see if that changes anything. Would have to do that anyway to see any details of what's going on when I'm climbing in there as per topduarte's suggestion.
When I'm in there I always get that Terminator-feeling like in the end of Terminator 1, when the hydraulic press comes down on it.