Symptoms of a 1986-91 Camaro or Firebird Pull down Reversing Switch GM 20614880 not working correctly

This will be a short post because when the reversing switch is not working correctly, it is usually a simple mater to diagnose with fairly high accurately.

If you are not sure if the Pull down is getting voltage to it. You should check for voltage before proceeding. Also check the ability of the circuit to handle a load. If there is voltage, try hooking up a high drain 12 volt item such as a motor or high wattage12 volt light. High resistance circuits may provide 12 volts at a tester but fail under load. Only load the circuit momentarily.

From the Pull down wiring harness: The Blue wire is positive (+) 12 volts and the black wire is ground (-) and is bolted to the body of the vehicle.   (The large black wire (small gauge) that is mounted to the Pull down latch solenoid is a separate ground just for the latch solenoid. The latch solenoid was an option and not all Camaro's or Firebird's had a Solenoid.)

Typical symptoms of the reversing switch not working correctly is the Pull down does not goes down when the striker sensing switch is moved to the latched position. Even more common is the Pull down will not go up when the striker sensing switch is moved to the up position.

Sometimes hitting the reversing switch lightly with the plastic handle of a medium size screw driver will getting working again temporarily.

These symptoms could be also be caused by the striker sensing switch. However from years of experience we have found that @ 90% of the time the problem is the reversing switch. By moving the striker sensing switch up and down quickly with your finger, you can usually tell if the problem is this switch. It will usually trigger some movement of the Pull down.

How do you know for sure which is the problem? The only sure way is to do a diagnostic procure, probing the wires and/or exchanging in known good parts. Most people don't find the probing diagnostic option viable for several reasons. If you are one of those people who wants to do the probing diagnostic, we have a post with the wiring diagram here. Exchanging out parts is usually the fastest and easiest way to solve the problem. Since 90% of the time the problem is the reversing switch, replacing it or rebuilding it is the best option.

Dealing with a faulting Striker Sensing Switch: 

1. We offer two options. One option is where you purchase a refurbished switch and pay refundable core deposit. When you return your old switch to us we refund your deposit. (We including a prepaid shipping label)
2. The other option we offer is a rebuild service. You send us your switch and we rebuild and test the switch and then ship it back to you. (This is the least expensive of the two options)

Which is right for you? Most  of our customer utilize the first option. However as supplies of these switches become more unavailable, the the rebuild service is becoming the only option available lately.