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Trunk won't open- please help!

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wkilleffer

wkilleffer

Jedi Knight
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Hi everyone,

I'm having trouble getting my trunk to open. I carry tools, a tonneau cover, and other things in there that I don't want stolen, so I lock it. The lock was part of a set for the trunk and the doors, and is around three years old.

Earlier in the day, I had the trunk open to use some of the tools, and closed and locked it when I was done. I got home and tried to get into the trunk by unlocking it the usual way, but no such luck. It's almost like it will come up a bit, then nothing, and I have to push it back down.

Locked and unlocked makes no difference. This happened once before, but it was long enough ago that I can't remember what we did to cure it. Is it possible that the lock mechanism has come partially apart? Any ideas and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you,
 
This is one of those times when you'd probably kiss your PO if he cut big speaker holes in your rear bulkhead...but, since he didn't & the latch isn't releasing, about the only thing you can do is remove one of the reverse lights & run a little mirror on a stick & light up inside so you can see what's happening at the latch.
 
Oh my word, I can just see the big can opener now. This answer I am going to learn from.
 
The coat hanger trick is a good one. If you can't get that to work because something is in the way, or on early cars where there are no reverse lamps, try pushing down hard on the trunk lid, then push and hold the button and yank upward on the lid. Many times it will pop open. You can also try pulling at angles instead of straight up.

In a worst-case scenerio you will have to drill out the center of the lock assembly, trigger the latch by hand and then replace the lock.

Once open, DO NOT close it again before you adjust the latch. Make it really loose, then go from there, tightening until it works properly. Good luck!
 
First try releasing the latch while pushing HARD on the panel just below the latch. Sometimes, if the latch is just out of adjustment, that'll give just enough movement to let it release. A short prayer might be in order beforehand....
 
[ QUOTE ]
Oh my word, I can just see the big can opener now. This answer I am going to learn from.

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually have one, used for opening cans of Eastern Bloc ammo. It would make short work of the B's boot lid, but that would be a bit final...

The PO *did* cut holes for speakers, so I was able to open the boot with some spousal assistance. The pawl on the lock that pushes the latch open had come loose. Trouble is that tightening it didn't cure the problem. The metal that holds the latch assembly onto the lid has gone through a bit of stretching over the years, and everything else has adapted to this. So, I'll need to use trial and error to set it straight until I can get a better boot lid.

Thank you,
 
Thanks Bill. Now lets hear it for the PO. Cheer.
 
When I was putting my '69 MGC back together in 1994 (also the era of the "smaller Rick"), I actually got inside the boot with tools and a flashlight(with my wife outside)and adjusted the latch internally.

I doubt if I would fit these daze!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Well, hallelujiah for the PO!!
 
I had the same problem with my 70. It is the latch part of the lock. It grabs hold of the metal hook and does not release. When I finally got mine open I used a grinder and took of about a 1/16 of an inch. Works great. Also when open using a hammer; bend the bracket back a tiny bit. Over the years of use it has a tendency of moving forward with the weight of the truck closing over the years.
 
I had the same problem, on the Silver Lady V8, major problem as the gas filler has been relocated inside the trunk. If the key turns and it does not unlock although you can press in the button then the tab behind the push button has come loose and is not touching the lever that activates the catch mechanism.
Solution drill a 1/8th inch hole just below the push button. Then with a stiff piece of wire push through the hole and activate the catch lever, and the trunk will open.
Good Luck and let us know if you are successful.
Mike Cook
 
Had the same issue with my LE.....PO speaker holes are a blessing!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Oh my word, I can just see the big can opener now. This answer I am going to learn from.

[/ QUOTE ]

ummmm... Jack??? you don't HAVE a boot lid....

I know it's been a while since you saw the part of your car that isn't a pile of shiny clean parts in your garage....

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
MIKE COOK!! Welcome, guy!!
 
Yep...another Spuriite has joined the ranks of the BCF!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Where do I know that name? I think I have a photo of "Silver Lady" on my web site somewhere. It all sounds too familiar. Welcome nonetheless! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Mike brought the Silver Lady to one of our car shows a couple of years ago. It's a fine machine for sure.
 
Silver Lady passed me once on the interstate down in south Alabama - I was in motorhome pulling my '79 Vermillion Red on trailer...Mike honked as he flew by!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I had the same problem with my 70. It is the latch part of the lock. It grabs hold of the metal hook and does not release. When I finally got mine open I used a grinder and took of about a 1/16 of an inch. Works great. Also when open using a hammer; bend the bracket back a tiny bit. Over the years of use it has a tendency of moving forward with the weight of the truck closing over the years.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you talking about the bracket that's not on the lid, but that the latch fastens into? Sort of U-shaped?
 
Looks like it might be solved. A combination of making sure everything was mounted properly, a little banging on the bracket, and bending the pawl on the back of the lock where it stuck out further and pushed the latch in further. We'll see what happens. Thanks to everyone for their help.
 
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