1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

[Floyd B.]

C4 Coupes have a switch on the trailing edge of the drivers door panel to release the rear hatch. Convertibles have a filler plate. I can find the part number of the switch but can't find any catalog that provides the part number of the filler plate.

Does anyone know the part number of the filler plate?

Thanx

[Joe L.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

C4 Coupes have a switch on the trailing edge of the drivers door panel to release the rear hatch. Convertibles have a filler plate. I can find the part number of the switch but can't find any catalog that provides the part number of the filler plate.

Does anyone know the part number of the filler plate?

Thanx

Floyd------

I cannot find that any such plate was ever available in SERVICE. Even if it ever was, I'm quite sure it would have been long discontinued by now. So, for all practical purposes, the part number would be pretty much a moot point.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Hopefully someone has one and they can read a part number on it. It aids searching the internet. Thanx.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Hopefully someone has one and they can read a part number on it. It aids searching the internet. Thanx.

Floyd------


Yes, I should have mentioned that. Often times plastic parts of the C4 and later era will have an embossed part number on them. For a part like this, the embossed part number will usually be the part number of the finished part. I'd be interested in it, too, as I'd then be able to determine, for sure, if it was ever a SERVICE-available part.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

I found one on fleabay and bought it. It's apparently an original but there is no way of knowing for sure. But it will be a place to start. I will post a pic of any part number stamped on it when it arrives. Thanx.

I like to record part numbers that are not in my catalogs for future reference.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

It arrived. The seller claims it came from a '93 convertible. I have no way to verify that. Unfortunately it has no part number embossed or stamped. These are the only markings.

[Paul S.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Hi Floyd,

In my experience, the '94 -'96 L/S inner door panels didn't come from GM with a cut out or plug for convertibles. They were solid and the hatch switch opening was only cut out for coupes. So, I think any plug would be aftermarket and get a deduction. I know this reply is counter to what the JG says. You may want to contact Tom Barr about this.

Hope to see you and Lynn at the Howey in the Hills Meet, on November 17th. Is your car ready to be judged?

Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

It arrived. The seller claims it came from a '93 convertible. I have no way to verify that. Unfortunately it has no part number embossed or stamped. These are the only markings.

Floyd------

I kind of figured that it would probably not have a part number on it.

INDAK is an OEM manufacturer of electrical components, especially switches. I would not be surprised if they were the supplier of the switch used on coupes. And, they obviously supplied this filler. There's no way I could see this filler piece being sourced in the aftermarket. So, whether they were used on all convertibles, or not, I'm certain this one was installed by GM. Whether, or not, your car originally had one, I do not know. However, if there is an opening where the switch would be, I'd say it originally had one.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Thanx Joe, but I think Paul is correct. Below is the page from one of my catalogs. It does not list separate part numbers for coupe and vert panels but clearly states that the hole must be cut for the coupes. Of course, that's for the service version of the part and not necessarily how they were on the production line. However, I would not be surprised if this door panel had been replaced by a previous owner. I had to repair a lot of damage to this door.

The only way I'll know for sure is if an original owner of '94 to '96 convertible chimes in.

>> Is your car ready to be judged?

Paul,
It's getting close and the remaining punch list getting short. Unfortunately I'm on a project that has me in San Diego or Tempe every week through the end of the year. The likelihood of being done in time for Howey is remote. I'll need the Christmas break to get ready for Lakeland. I still have to replace the windshield with the original I found.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Thanx Joe, but I think Paul is correct. Below is the page from one of my catalogs. It does not list separate part numbers for coupe and vert panels but clearly states that the hole must be cut for the coupes. Of course, that's for the service version of the part and not necessarily how they were on the production line. However, I would not be surprised if this door panel had been replaced by a previous owner. I had to repair a lot of damage to this door.

The only way I'll know for sure is if an original owner of '94 to '96 convertible chimes in.

>> Is your car ready to be judged?

Paul,
It's getting close and the remaining punch list getting short. Unfortunately I'm on a project that has me in San Diego or Tempe every week through the end of the year. The likelihood of being done in time for Howey is remote. I'll need the Christmas break to get ready for Lakeland. I still have to replace the windshield with the original I found.

Floyd------


There are lots of possibilities here. The 94-96 door panels were different than earlier C4. It could be the earlier panels all had the hole pre-cut and the filler was used for convertibles. If so, that could be where the filler you got originated.

There's also the possibility that all PRODUCTION panels were cut for the switch and the filler was used for convertibles. The vast majority of cars built were coupes. If the panel had to be cut for coupes, that would mean that the assembly line workers would have had to thus modify the vast majority of door panels. That would require extra time being spent on the majority of door panels and less time being spent on the minority of door panels. More likely is that the PRODUCTION door panels were all cut for the switch by the supplier and the filler was installed at Bowling Green for convertibles. That would have more-or-less "standardized" assembly at Bowling Green. For SERVICE, the supplier left all the panels un-cut and let the installer modify them as necessary.

One thing I'm certain of: that filler piece you bought is an OEM piece. There's no way it came out of the aftermarket.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Thanx Joe,
That does make a lot of sense. Hopefully someone with an original '96 convertible will chime in. It does seem unlikely the previous owners would have replaced the panel and left the remainder of the door such a mess. Especially when the damage was to the outside of the door. The damage was consistent with someone catching the mirror on the door jam while backing out of the garage. I had to replace/paint the mirror, repair/paint the upper exterior panel above the door molding, and fiberglass repair a large crack on the bottom-inside edge.

Hopefully an original owner of a '96 convertible will clear up this mystery for me.

[Paul S.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Floyd,

I just sent you an email.

Paul

[Pat M.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Floyd, the driver's side door panel on my original owner 96 convertible only has a recessed rectangular area on the rear edge. I don't know if that's typical, but I can guarantee you that's how mine came from the factory.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

Thanx Pat. That answers my question. It would appear that my door panel was replaced with a part salvaged from a coupe. Now I have to decide if I'll live with the minor deduction or replace the door panel.

[Chris G.]

Re: 1996 Convertible Rear Hatch Switch Filler Plate

on a different note, did you know you can get a coupe keyfob , program it to your convertible and pop the rear convertible hatch remotely?