HELP!!! Trunk latch problem!!

[anthonydpaige]

Hello there. This is my first post, so here goes!

I ran across this forum looking for help in fixing a problem with my car. I'm aiming to include all pertinent information..ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

First off, the car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird 2.8 6cylinder

The problem: Having purchased a new Volvo, my 'bird sat in the back yard for over a month, and stupid me didn't go out and crank it up even once. Accordingly, the battery, already several years old, died. I disconnected the battery and took it to Advance Auto Parts, hoping they could charge it up for me. They couldnt, and had to order a new battery for me. In the meantime, before I could pick up the new battery, I needed to get something out of the trunk. Now, my Bird has the motorized trunk latch mechanism, such that it pulls the hatch down tight, when activated. By unlocking the mechanism with my key - even though there was no power - I was able to get into the trunk to get my things...however, there was no power to close the thing, as I had removed the battery. Crap.
The next day, I installed the new battery, and the car cranked up.. but...as soon as I put the battery in, there was a loud whirring/humming sound coming from the trunk latch mechanism. I tried closing the thing, but it wouldn't. I tried manually resetting it by clicking the inside latches down with my car key...nope.. It seems to be stuck in the down position. Now, I paid over $500 to replace this thing not even 2 years ago, so it shouldnt be defective...I need to figure out how to "reset" the motor, as its current state prevents me from closing my trunk, or turning off the trunk light. I had to pull the fuse to get the sound to stop and the light to go off. (After pulling the fuse, I put it back in to see if that would reset it. Nope. ) I do not have a covered garage at my apt....so this is kind of a big deal...
If anyone could help me, PLEASE, I would greatly appreciate it.

My Email is [email protected]

Please guys (and gals, presumably) - I really need help.. I don't know a lot about car mechanics.

[ikeyballz]

youre gonna need someone to help you, hook the little hook that pulls the trunk down with a clip or screwdriver or something, and then pull the trunk lever. that should make the trunk latch open back up. when it does, push the trunk back into it. that should be all you need to do..

or, you could use your key again..

[anthonydpaige]

What do you mean by "lever"? Do you mean the key insert, that opens it?

I appreciate this, but I'm a little confused...

[ikeyballz]

lol sorry i wasnt clear.. yeah, i mean the thing that unlocks the trunk in the first place.. like the key, or the pull string thing on the car itself..

im a little confused by the problem also, im guessing that it doesnt 'unlock' because theres nothing pulling up on the latch..

the one that pulls down on the hook on your hatch.

whoa. lots of weird words..

i might have confused you more

[wrightz28]

3rd gens are power release, no barbarrick pull chords.

So the pull down mechanism won't reset?

[Morley]

Using a screwdriver, push it down into the latch to get it to lock, then with a battery hooked up, release the trunk latch with either the key or the button. This should reset the trunk latch system and let it operate correctly.

[anthonydpaige]

It is a power mechanism. That is the part that will not pull the door down. It seems to be stuck in the down position, such that I cannot get it to latch by merely pressing the door down as far as it will go.

[Morley]

Originally Posted by anthonydpaige

It is a power mechanism. That is the part that will not pull the door down. It seems to be stuck in the down position, such that I cannot get it to latch by merely pressing the door down as far as it will go.

Yes, I know. That is why I say to use a screw driver to trip the latch to closed then push the release button with power on the car. This resets the latch mech.

[sdsniper]

so the motor thinks that the trunk is closed but its not. Wouldn't putting the key in and turning it just unlock it and release the motor to come up?

[Morley]

Originally Posted by sdsniper

Wouldn't putting the key in and turning it just unlock it and release the motor to come up?

No, it won't. I own a 91 'Bird with the hatch pull down and have been down this road before, tripping the latch and relasing it is the only way to do it.

[Blue Bowtie]

I'll second what Morley stated. The key cylinder release and power release are two different animals. The key cylinder will likely only release the latch pawl, or it would already be working properly. The motor needs to raise via power to once again catch the strike on the hatch lid. You have to "fool" and exercise the switch in the catch.

[malletslinger]

sounds like the plastic gear thing in there is toast...you can install it yourself... the part is about 5 bucks at a chevy dearler.

[rfsmith90]

if yours has a button inside that releases the trunk like mine, i would think if you hit the button the motor would "think" the hatch is up.. which is where it is... so then you should be able to close it