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Bad Day: Trunk Won't Open

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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:37 PM
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Default Bad Day: Trunk Won't Open

Lets see how many things can go wrong today?
(2nd item)

My trunk no longer opens via the button on the drivers door.
It won't open by pressing the remote either.
I can hear the tiny little motors working, but nothing happens.
I have to use the key manually to open it.

Weird thing is I put my backpack in the trunk this morning, using the remote. Drove to work 10mins, and then it wouldn't open.

I checked the silly/stupid stuff.... no it'* not the valet switch... and no it'* not frozen, the temp never went below 10c today.

Any ideas?
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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:49 PM
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Probably a stupid suggestion, but maybe your battery doesn't have enough juice to get the job done. Same with your seats. But if the car starts, that probably isn't the problem. Maybe your trunk lid has become misaligned, or the latch.
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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by jwikoff99
Probably a stupid suggestion, but maybe your battery doesn't have enough juice to get the job done. Same with your seats. But if the car starts, that probably isn't the problem. Maybe your trunk lid has become misaligned, or the latch.
The latch is my suspect.... anything I can do to check this theory?
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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 06:06 PM
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Look for scratched paint or metel where it bolts up. That could be evidence that it has shifted. Or it could be bent. Did you ever try to close it with something in the way?
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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jwikoff99
Look for scratched paint or metel where it bolts up. That could be evidence that it has shifted.
I don't think it'* shifted.... I mean nothing was done to it to cause it to.
I'll check tomorrow when it'* light outside... but I think the problem is the motor in the latch or something like that.

Arrg..... very fustrating... how come everything always goes wrong at once...
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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 09:57 PM
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Lube the solonoid. It'* better if you remove it. Cycle it several times. I'm willing to bet if you rap on it with your knuckles, it'll start working again. It'* just binding up or not strong enough any more. Also lightly grease the latch bar and jaws.
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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 10:54 PM
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Had that problem a bit, wd-40 the hell out of the lock mechanism, and the bar it connects to. Then click that thing a few times, and slam the trunk. Worked for me.
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Old Dec 23, 2003 | 10:55 PM
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WD the shaft of the solonoid. Not the latch bar or jaws. WD-40 is more of a solvent than a lubricant, and evaporates too quickly.
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 12:19 AM
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Are you sure you didnt just bump the lock out switch? You might want to check that, I bump that thing a lot.
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 12:22 AM
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If you do that (assuming your car is equipped with that option.....I know 93 wasn't) the solonoid wouldn't be making noise. The lockout switch disables power to the relay above the passenger footwell. I think he said it was making noise back there.
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