Manual release of Tonneau cover
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Manual release of Tonneau cover
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#2
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
My switch never worked. Fold the rear seat down, and look just behind the panels that have the speakers in them, there will be a metal cable on each side, pull each cable to manually release the tonneau.
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z convertible
Engine: 5.0
Transmission: Borg Warner T5
Axle/Gears: Yet to be determined
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
On my '89 the releases are more like heavy duty fishing line, not metal. The have a finger loop to pull for the release.
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Car: 1988 IROC Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
These cars won't let you open the tonneau cover while the trunk is open (bad things will happen!) Therefore, they come equiped with a safety switch at the trunk lock mechanism. It looks like a white plunger style switch. If this is missing, misaligned, otherwise malfunctioning, your tonneau release swith will not activate the solenoids to release it. There is also a parking safety switch that, if I remember correctly, will also prevent the release of the cover. Try to check the trunk one first. Even if these don't work, you can do this manually. Look carefully behind the back seat right where the rear seat panels end. They might be hidden by the carpet, but you will see a thin, plastic covered loop wire, one on each side of the car. Pull the wire to release the solenoid. You may have to push down on the cover slightly while pulling on the wire. Once this releases, walk around to the other side of the car and repeat. That should do it. Good luck!
That being said, please use the search. This issue has been covered many times before.
That being said, please use the search. This issue has been covered many times before.
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#8
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
These cars won't let you open the tonneau cover while the trunk is open (bad things will happen!) Therefore, they come equiped with a safety switch at the trunk lock mechanism. It looks like a white plunger style switch. If this is missing, misaligned, otherwise malfunctioning, your tonneau release swith will not activate the solenoids to release it. There is also a parking safety switch that, if I remember correctly, will also prevent the release of the cover. Try to check the trunk one first. Even if these don't work, you can do this manually. Look carefully behind the back seat right where the rear seat panels end. They might be hidden by the carpet, but you will see a thin, plastic covered loop wire, one on each side of the car. Pull the wire to release the solenoid. You may have to push down on the cover slightly while pulling on the wire. Once this releases, walk around to the other side of the car and repeat. That should do it. Good luck!
That being said, please use the search. This issue has been covered many times before.
That being said, please use the search. This issue has been covered many times before.
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Engine: 355 Super Charged
Transmission: B&M Streetfighter
Axle/Gears: 4th gen 342
#10
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Car: Red 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 HO L69
Transmission: 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
Couple questions:
1) would these release hooks and selaniods be the same setup on ASC GTA??
2) would anyone happen to post a picture of the plunger piece in the trunk??
I Had the trunk worked on now my power release button will not work..
thanks!
1) would these release hooks and selaniods be the same setup on ASC GTA??
2) would anyone happen to post a picture of the plunger piece in the trunk??
I Had the trunk worked on now my power release button will not work..
thanks!
#11
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
help!! i have read and tried all the possible fixes here and elsewhere. i don't have a white plunger for the trunk lock out (just 4 metal contacts beside latch that are clean). i have located the solenoids and there aren't any metal release loops. the control cables are black coated and have an inner steel cable (like a bike brake etc). on one solenoid, i can push it with my fingers to release the j-lock, the other is enclosed with plastic and have no access. both solenoids stopped at the same time and i have verified the switch continuity. any idea of which fuse to check or anything else? i have also tried this with the shifter in neutral (auto trans). i was thinking that in a worst case situation, i may run 12v from another source to the switch. right now i am screwed! any help would be appreciated!
Lon
#12
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
Yes the J-hooks and latch are the same on a ASC GTA as on the Camaro.
Only someof the early ASC convertible conversions got the bracket with the white solenoid switch that attached to the same 3 screws that mount to the clear plastic motor housing.
Later they just used the existing reversing switch to signal that the trunk was open or closed.
If someone worked on your trunk and now the tonneau won't release, someone messed up your trunk pull-down unit. Be certain that you hear the distinctive CLICK when the trunk motor ends it's down cycle. If instead the motor just stops without that CLICK, then the trunk motor was installed too low on the body and is stalling out before the reversing switch trips (that CLICK I keep mentioning). Mark the current location of the trunk pull-down frame to the car body using a permanent marker or scratah awl. Then loosen the three 13mm screws and raise the trunk pull-down unit and tighten the screws again. This can also happen if someone replaced the trunk/hatch seal with new ones which are thicker.
Lon
Only someof the early ASC convertible conversions got the bracket with the white solenoid switch that attached to the same 3 screws that mount to the clear plastic motor housing.
Later they just used the existing reversing switch to signal that the trunk was open or closed.
If someone worked on your trunk and now the tonneau won't release, someone messed up your trunk pull-down unit. Be certain that you hear the distinctive CLICK when the trunk motor ends it's down cycle. If instead the motor just stops without that CLICK, then the trunk motor was installed too low on the body and is stalling out before the reversing switch trips (that CLICK I keep mentioning). Mark the current location of the trunk pull-down frame to the car body using a permanent marker or scratah awl. Then loosen the three 13mm screws and raise the trunk pull-down unit and tighten the screws again. This can also happen if someone replaced the trunk/hatch seal with new ones which are thicker.
Lon
#13
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Car: Red 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 HO L69
Transmission: 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
Thank you for help. Trunk is clicking but still not working. And there seems to be no hook to manually release Tonua. I am still trouble shouting issue.
Yes the J-hooks and latch are the same on a ASC GTA as on the Camaro.
Only someof the early ASC convertible conversions got the bracket with the white solenoid switch that attached to the same 3 screws that mount to the clear plastic motor housing.
Later they just used the existing reversing switch to signal that the trunk was open or closed.
If someone worked on your trunk and now the tonneau won't release, someone messed up your trunk pull-down unit. Be certain that you hear the distinctive CLICK when the trunk motor ends it's down cycle. If instead the motor just stops without that CLICK, then the trunk motor was installed too low on the body and is stalling out before the reversing switch trips (that CLICK I keep mentioning). Mark the current location of the trunk pull-down frame to the car body using a permanent marker or scratah awl. Then loosen the three 13mm screws and raise the trunk pull-down unit and tighten the screws again. This can also happen if someone replaced the trunk/hatch seal with new ones which are thicker.
Lon
Only someof the early ASC convertible conversions got the bracket with the white solenoid switch that attached to the same 3 screws that mount to the clear plastic motor housing.
Later they just used the existing reversing switch to signal that the trunk was open or closed.
If someone worked on your trunk and now the tonneau won't release, someone messed up your trunk pull-down unit. Be certain that you hear the distinctive CLICK when the trunk motor ends it's down cycle. If instead the motor just stops without that CLICK, then the trunk motor was installed too low on the body and is stalling out before the reversing switch trips (that CLICK I keep mentioning). Mark the current location of the trunk pull-down frame to the car body using a permanent marker or scratah awl. Then loosen the three 13mm screws and raise the trunk pull-down unit and tighten the screws again. This can also happen if someone replaced the trunk/hatch seal with new ones which are thicker.
Lon
#14
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Car: Red 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 HO L69
Transmission: 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
Found the manual hooks. They were both buried behind the speak panels.
Previous owners mUst have worked on the speaker panels and left the strings behind.
#15
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Car: 91 Firebird Convertible
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
I have developed a short somewhere that has blown the # 11 fuse which controls/powers the tonneau release switch along with the power antena, cigarette lighter, remote mirrors ect. This fuse has blown before and I replaced it and its been fine for over a year. Now it blows instantly upon contact. Of couse the car is garaged with top down so I will try this posts suggestions on mannual release. Is a base Firebird convert supposed to have a trunk closer ? Need to find an electrical trouble shooter in my area, but won't leave with top down because of rain/weather issues.
#16
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Car: 91 Firebird Convertible
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Manual release of Tonneau cover
That was quick! I guess I've been blessed by former owners who kept everything pretty much intact. Black wire cables right where they should be once seat folded down. Thanks for the reminder/confirmation of what they did. The origninal owners manual was not with car or convert supplement. Was able to get manual thru dealer but not convert supplement.
Thanks 3 G network. Now find out whats up with the shorting issue.
Thanks 3 G network. Now find out whats up with the shorting issue.
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