Having just acquired an SA last night, there are a couple of things that I would to repair right away but i'm having a terrible time finding these:

• Hatch latch assembly: this model has the electrical remote release. The release solenoid works fine. however, the plastic parts inside the latch mechanism have basically crumbled so the hatch wont latch. I'd like to find a replacement and as a nice-to-have, the plastic cover.
• Dome Light Assembly: The dome light is missing and it makes it a bit hard to find the keyhole at night. I can find a replacement lens but I have been unable to find the light assembly itself.

Any help or sources would be appreciated.

 

SA dome lights are part of the rear view mirror assy; they are difficult but not impossible to find. Problem being the mirror frames tend to crumble from age and UV, and since they were sold as an assembly, a lot of good lights got canned by people replacing mirrors.

If you can find an assembly with a poor mirror but good light, you can actually disassemble them with a little finesse.

 

Welcome - glad to see another SA enter the fold!
Rear hatch latch unique to each SA production year - that is, 78-79 latch is diff from the 1980. BOTH are diff from 81+ FB. But I think you can swap in the 79 vs 80 either way, just be sure to get all the appropriate connecting rods btw it and the key assy! Should be no problem finding an assy as there are still lots of people breaking up SAs BUT : be aware the SA base "S" model's latch assy is MANUAL, not electric, so no little motor attached.

As for the rear hatch _panel_ the FB 81+ panel is a nicer piece - the carpet attachments are cleaner as is the trim AND it comes with the rear hatch light assy tho you'll need to figure how to wire it up.

DD I don't think mirrors sourced from further north (WA state for eg) will have the UV issues you describe - have gotten excellent pieces from there. Man you guys really get COOKED down there!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

if the mirror mount / dome light from a 85 will fit, I have a complete one for you. i don't recall what a SA with a dome light looks like, just the FB :p

I also think i have a rear plastic cover piece for the hatch, if i still have it the carpet is a little ripped. and it's red. :[

shoot me a PM if you want any of it.

 

I have tried this one a few rear view mirrors, but after I get the mirror off I can't get it to go back on. I just CAN NOT get the screw to thread back into the mirror. If you have a trick for doing so, please share! I have a couple of these sitting around that I can't reassemble.

 

Mazdatrix has new mirror dome light lenses for ya. All years too.

You won't find new parts for the mirrors on SAs at all. You will have to settle for used
and cobble the good peices together.

 

two things.

First, I am having the trunk switch issue as well. Blackdragon sells a kit that can be used instead of the stocker. Also you could do what I am doing and hook up a manual pull type and mount it by the seat.


The mirror light thing is a no brainer to me unless you are doing a stock resto. Get a GM mirror with the auto dim, compass, and temp on it. then grab the sensor off of the front radiator support from same vehicle. Then pick up a ford mustang light and install it as well.

 

Sounds familiar...

You aren't in TN anymore are you Shawn?

Squirrel- I found a replacement trunk latch in a junkyard. I think I paid 10 bucks for it.

 

I found a manual '79 latch release on eBay. It should be in this week. This will at least allow me to shut and lock the hatch while I determine if I can modify the manual one to work with the solenoid pull or find a remote release latch. Now the hurry isn't so great.

 

The salvage yards around here post their vehicle inventory online. I have an alert setup to let me know if the get a 1st Gen in stock. I'm gonna strip the sucker bare.

 

hi cody! yeah I am in that area sorta. I got back from the Stan 2 weeks ago. Today I came to Ohio to be with my kids. Monday I go to Delaware to be with family. then two weeks later I go back to TN to finish the LS swap.

 

The manual hatch release for the '79 turned out to be exactly the same as the electric remote hatch release. The only difference is where a manual cable would connect, a solenoid with a small pull rod connects. The hatch latch itself is identical.

 

Haha you and me both man. I have a friend with an FB parts car but I don't think anything you're looking for is compatible. Have you tried 131 Automotive out past Halls?