Automatic deck lid pull-down
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: Englewood OH
Automatic deck lid pull-down
Just curious if this topic has been covered here in the past. I have a 2014 Z51. As I'm sure most are aware, the deck lid is a bear to close with the windows up. I believe the 2016's now come with the auto close or "pull down" feature for the deck lid. Does anyone know if that feature can be retrofitted to a 2014 (in my case)?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 1,297
From: Windermere FL
There were many threads on this topic, but no success. Last year another forum member bought all the pull down parts for a 16 and he was going to attempt a retrofit. It requires removing the rear bumper to install the latch bracket from a '16, to accomidate the '16 latch.
He built his own controller to control the pull down motor and mocked it up and got it to work, but was not happy with the controller for some reason so he bought the GM controller (expensive). I have not heard anymore from him since then. It required rewiring the open button on the rear bumper. GM also changed the hatch open circuitry. On the '15 it was a simple wire that light up connected to the dash cluster and light up when the hatch is ajar. On the '16 the latch is connected to the BCM via the GM LAN Bus so it is a whole different animal. It would require an EE to rig something up.
He built his own controller to control the pull down motor and mocked it up and got it to work, but was not happy with the controller for some reason so he bought the GM controller (expensive). I have not heard anymore from him since then. It required rewiring the open button on the rear bumper. GM also changed the hatch open circuitry. On the '15 it was a simple wire that light up connected to the dash cluster and light up when the hatch is ajar. On the '16 the latch is connected to the BCM via the GM LAN Bus so it is a whole different animal. It would require an EE to rig something up.
Last edited by Flame Red; Jun 12, 2016 at 06:51 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Never close a Corvette rear hatch C6 or 7 with the doors closed and windows up.
You can see the hatch hinges bulge when you do.
The pull down is not needed.
Last edited by 3 Z06ZR1; Jun 13, 2016 at 12:09 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 406
From: Greater Cincinnati Area
An alternative is to buy a c7 Window Valet, for about $130. Makes it easy to open/close the windows, and easy to close the hatch. I used one on my c6 that didn't have the pull-down feature, and it made it a non-issue.
Plus you can pre-ventilate the car in the summer when you're walking towards it.
Plus you can pre-ventilate the car in the summer when you're walking towards it.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 554
Has anyone looked at utilizing the hatch pull down motor from a C6? Electrically they are much simpler and at first glance, very similar in physical makeup. Perhaps some parts from each would enable an aftermarket solution for the 14 and 15 cars.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 554
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 1,297
From: Windermere FL
But it does not look similiar to the C7 setup, so I am going to guess that it would take a bunch of fabrication of the mounting bracket to get it to work. That means removing the rear bumper.
Worthy idea, in that bone yard parts for the C6 are cheaper and plentiful over that of a C7. Probably exceeds my fabrication skills.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 554
The video is dead wrong on two points. One, no matter how hard you pull down on the handle, if the windows and doors are closed, the lid is NOT going all the way down and latched. That is the crux of the problem.
Second, when its closed part way and you need to push it down the rest of the way, pressing in the center rear of the lid as shown in the video is again dead wrong and will result in a cracked lid in time. Chevy is very specific on this one. You press down on the rear of the two struts next to the window.
Don't know why the 14 stingray in the video works fine by pulling down on the handle but my 15Z and most others that I know it simply does not work. This is why chevy went back to a pull down in 16.
Second, when its closed part way and you need to push it down the rest of the way, pressing in the center rear of the lid as shown in the video is again dead wrong and will result in a cracked lid in time. Chevy is very specific on this one. You press down on the rear of the two struts next to the window.
Don't know why the 14 stingray in the video works fine by pulling down on the handle but my 15Z and most others that I know it simply does not work. This is why chevy went back to a pull down in 16.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 545
Likes: 245
From: Lower Burrell PA
An easy fix would be for GM to offer a flash for the computer that would lower the windows a couple inches any time the rear hatch is open.
It the GM attorneys fear a new liability, having the windows raise when the hatch is closed, they could program the windows to only lower automatically. Then the driver could raise the windows with the switches located on the door.
It the GM attorneys fear a new liability, having the windows raise when the hatch is closed, they could program the windows to only lower automatically. Then the driver could raise the windows with the switches located on the door.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
Second, when its closed part way and you need to push it down the rest of the way, pressing in the center rear of the lid as shown in the video is again dead wrong and will result in a cracked lid in time. Chevy is very specific on this one. You press down on the rear of the two struts next to the window.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 554
Not following you here? The main reason it doesn't close on the first pull down is because of the build up of air pressure within the cabin. All you are doing for the last 6mm is depressing the latch to effect full closure, which is in the center of the hatch, below the glass - there is no pressure build up to vent when doing so - so why would this break the hatch? From an engineering perspective, your statement makes no sense.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 1,297
From: Windermere FL
An easy fix would be for GM to offer a flash for the computer that would lower the windows a couple inches any time the rear hatch is open.
It the GM attorneys fear a new liability, having the windows raise when the hatch is closed, they could program the windows to only lower automatically. Then the driver could raise the windows with the switches located on the door.
It the GM attorneys fear a new liability, having the windows raise when the hatch is closed, they could program the windows to only lower automatically. Then the driver could raise the windows with the switches located on the door.
But I am not sure if the BCM in the model 14 & 15 really knows if the rear hatch is open or not. Yes, there is a light on the dash, but it is direct wired to the dash. On the 16, the latch control module is connected to the GMLAN Bus and communicates to the BCM that the hatch is open and then BCM lights the dash warning.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 344
Likes: 108
Active Hatch Vent Feature
Maybe the Active Hatch Vent Feature that is part of the C7 design is not working properly? It is described in this article:
http://www.superchevy.com/features/1...7-smart-metal/
The photo gallery within that article shows an exploded view of the parts and how they work. Shape memory alloy materials can return to their original shape even when stretched beyond conventional "yield strength" and it is this feature that makes them useful for an application like this or for specialized springs.
http://www.superchevy.com/features/1...7-smart-metal/
The photo gallery within that article shows an exploded view of the parts and how they work. Shape memory alloy materials can return to their original shape even when stretched beyond conventional "yield strength" and it is this feature that makes them useful for an application like this or for specialized springs.