Automatic Trunk Closer
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 35
From: SHIRLEY IN
I am not EE but from the schematics, that retrofit seems beyond my skill level. The info I found from the service manuals are posted here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-retrofit.html
I'd be happy to email you the schematics for the 15 and 16 which I have. Read that thread and perhaps there is a way to make it work with some relays. But on the 14 & 15's GM changed the role of how the latch interfaces to the BCM. I am sure it can be done with the right EE know how, but it seemed beyond my skill level once I looked into it. So the main difference is that on the early years it was just a striaght signal that the trunk was ajar but on the 16 the BCM is involved. Thus there is a control module, which also controls the motor to pull the hatch down. I would have ordered the latch part but my fabrication skills are poor and it seemed from the pictures that the mount was different between the 15 and 16 too.
It can be done if you got the skill, so if you can figure it out, us armatures would sure like to follow in your foot steps.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-retrofit.html
I'd be happy to email you the schematics for the 15 and 16 which I have. Read that thread and perhaps there is a way to make it work with some relays. But on the 14 & 15's GM changed the role of how the latch interfaces to the BCM. I am sure it can be done with the right EE know how, but it seemed beyond my skill level once I looked into it. So the main difference is that on the early years it was just a striaght signal that the trunk was ajar but on the 16 the BCM is involved. Thus there is a control module, which also controls the motor to pull the hatch down. I would have ordered the latch part but my fabrication skills are poor and it seemed from the pictures that the mount was different between the 15 and 16 too.
It can be done if you got the skill, so if you can figure it out, us armatures would sure like to follow in your foot steps.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 35
From: SHIRLEY IN
I know this is an older thread but thought I would finish what I started...
I build a module that plugged into the existing harness. Not something everyone would want to do but it worked well. Pretty simple circuit I used timers instead of limit switches.
Not long after my findings my wife and I rolled the car and it was a total loss. That's why I kinda forgot about this thread. I recently ordered a Z06 and we are waiting for it to be built (TPW 11/12/18). That's what reminded me of this thread.
I build a module that plugged into the existing harness. Not something everyone would want to do but it worked well. Pretty simple circuit I used timers instead of limit switches.
Not long after my findings my wife and I rolled the car and it was a total loss. That's why I kinda forgot about this thread. I recently ordered a Z06 and we are waiting for it to be built (TPW 11/12/18). That's what reminded me of this thread.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,077
Likes: 12,435
From: NE South Carolina
^^^
Sounds scary! Hope you both are OK.
FWIW, I sold my 2014 and bought a 2017 Grand Sport. Have had it 18 months and must say the motorized pull down is "better" but not a perfect solution! Neither was it on my C6! However, no need to worry about cracking the paint or worse the lower hatch frame as some did by pushing to latch! But is doesn't latch by itself with the doors and windows close. Sound familiar!
With my 2014 coupe I got in October 2013 in 3 1/2 years I used a method developed in 2013, which was to close the hatch only when a door was open. Not really as bad as it first sounds as I am seldom going into the hatch when not entering or leaving the Vette. So just had to remember to close the hatch last! In fact, I find myself doing with the Grand Sport as I did with my 2014, I stand behind my open door and with one finger can push down on a fully open hatch and it closes and latches. Did that 100% of the time with my 2014 as it does now!
Admittedly, when not leaving or entering the car and I need to get into the hatch it closes but does not latch unless I push with very little force. Still a two step process!
As I said for 3 1/2 years with the 2014, happiness is an "air tight Vette!"
Sounds scary! Hope you both are OK.
FWIW, I sold my 2014 and bought a 2017 Grand Sport. Have had it 18 months and must say the motorized pull down is "better" but not a perfect solution! Neither was it on my C6! However, no need to worry about cracking the paint or worse the lower hatch frame as some did by pushing to latch! But is doesn't latch by itself with the doors and windows close. Sound familiar!
With my 2014 coupe I got in October 2013 in 3 1/2 years I used a method developed in 2013, which was to close the hatch only when a door was open. Not really as bad as it first sounds as I am seldom going into the hatch when not entering or leaving the Vette. So just had to remember to close the hatch last! In fact, I find myself doing with the Grand Sport as I did with my 2014, I stand behind my open door and with one finger can push down on a fully open hatch and it closes and latches. Did that 100% of the time with my 2014 as it does now!
Admittedly, when not leaving or entering the car and I need to get into the hatch it closes but does not latch unless I push with very little force. Still a two step process!
As I said for 3 1/2 years with the 2014, happiness is an "air tight Vette!"
Last edited by JerryU; Oct 30, 2018 at 10:01 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,984
Likes: 6,783
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
More worthless junk (imho) stuck on for marketing purposes. If the deck-lid were fitted correctly a "closer" would be totally unnecessary, as noted.
If I could. I'd gladly remove mine, along with most of the other electronic gobble-de-gook, and ship to ya!
If I could. I'd gladly remove mine, along with most of the other electronic gobble-de-gook, and ship to ya!
Last edited by Avanti; Oct 31, 2018 at 12:04 AM.
