I know I had this problem years ago and i recall it was a simple fix but i can't remember what the fix was. My trunk lid can no longer be opened by the key but it can be opened by the release button next to the pedals. Is it just a fuse? Thanks!!!
nope - probably dirty or faulty contact at the key switch
Jeff, pull back the carpet in the trunk behind the key switch, stick your head down there, and look for a brown microswitch next to the key assembly. Push the little button on it and see what happens. You can close the trunk lock assembly with your finger, and troubleshoot with the trunk lid open, just don't close it in that position.
I havent used the key to open the trunk since I got the car. W/ that kind of neglect, chances are mine wont work either
[quote name='jeff968' post='38353' date='Jul 17 2007, 06:14 AM']I know I had this problem years ago and i recall it was a simple fix but i can't remember what the fix was. My trunk lid can no longer be opened by the key but it can be opened by the release button next to the pedals. Is it just a fuse? Thanks!!![/quote]
When this happened to me it was a result of the connector being knocked loose during a rear ender. Plugged it back in and it's worked ever since.
-sp4149
Ironically, my trunk lock release stopped working just yesterday. Drat! And all the makings for a party at a friend's house were in my trunk (ie, rum, beer, wine, and food). No pressure, but I had thirty people standing around, waiting impatiently for me to open the trunk. Thanks to everyone's previous postings, I knew how to get to the manual cable at the driver's door. Party saved!
But it's embarrassing to have to pull that cable to get in the trunk, so I'd like to get this working again. Putting the key in the lock does nothing, and the inside release does nothing either. I changed the fuse, but it still didn't work.
I followed rustech's suggestions, but wasn't able to see a button on a brown microswitch next to the key assembly. I saw the wire going into what must be a switch, and a small metal bar that is pushed by the keylock which in turn pushed a tiny red button. I pushed on the metal bar with my finger, which pressed the red button, but nothing happened.
I wasn't sure what rustech's next advice was about closing the trunk lock assembly with my finger...clarification?
Any other advice?
Thanks!
Kathy
Kathy
Quote:I saw the wire going into what must be a switch, and a small metal bar that is pushed by the keylock which in turn pushed a tiny red button.
That is the microswitch.
When you try the switch on the inside cabin, do you make sure the ignition is on?
Do you have remote entry?
When you set your alarm, is it doing a double blink, or single blink?
Do you have a voltmeter and do you know how to use it?
[quote name='jeff968' post='38353' date='Jul 17 2007, 06:14 AM']I know I had this problem years ago and i recall it was a simple fix but i can't remember what the fix was. My trunk lid can no longer be opened by the key but it can be opened by the release button next to the pedals. Is it just a fuse? Thanks!!![/quote]
If you can open the trunk from the switch next to the driver's seat, then there is nothing wrong with the microswitch. I have had this problem, and it is an easy fix. Lift up the trunk carpet, stick your head in and find the microswitch that opens the trunk lock. You will see a small button on the switch that is pushed by a cam when you turn the key. Push the button in with some thing non-conductive, like a popsicle stick. Don't use anything metal because you could short out the switch and ruin it. If you hear the lock click, the switch is working fine and the cam is just worn down and is not pushing the button in far enough. Take a thick piece of duct tape and wrap the cam with it. It may take several layers to build up the cam. Keep turning the key until you hear the lock click. That's all there is to it.
[quote name='968west' post='40219' date='Aug 21 2007, 02:49 PM']If you can open the trunk from the switch next to the driver's seat, then there is nothing wrong with the microswitch.[/quote]
How do you figure?
lol - i think he means the actuator is ok, not the microswitch, if you can open it from the interior switch - the microswitch is limited to the key operation
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. The interior trunk release button does not work, with the key in ignition and switched to 'On'. I'm going to check to see if there are any loose wires, double check the fuse again. And I don't have any other electrical problems. (knock on wood) I'm thinking it's either a loose wire or the microswitch has gone to microswitch heaven. Will take a look at this more one night this week and let you know what I find.
Thanks,
Kathy
if your interior release switch does not work with the ignition in the on position, then you either have a power failure (likely a fuse, etc) or you have a problem at the actuator - it would not be the microswitch
So I'll show my lack of knowledge -- what's an actuator?
it's the little motor thing-a-ma-bob that actually opens the latch
Thought I'd add my experience here for the benefit of anyone else having a similar problem (and reopen a 4 year old thread!)
Symptom: Trunk release on our '93 cab doesn't work usung the external key lock, but works fine using the internal remote release button near the pedals.
Fix: After checking and cleaning (contact cleaner - can't believe how much that stuff costs!) the connectors on the microswitch lead inside the trunk near the lock (behind the carpet) and tightening the earth connector nearby, I found the microswitch was actually working but the plastic cam on the lock tumbbler wasn't activating it. Seems the metal strip on the microswitch has relaxed over time and simply bending it up slightly so that the cam contacted it sooner and activated the microswitch has solved the problem. Cheap and easy!
I have been wondering how to solve this problem for a while. The duct tape solution is simple and works well. Thanks,
Or as an alternative to the duct tape, remove the tailgate lock assembly (two bolts), pop off the bracket holding the microswitch in place. Bend the arm slightly, and reinstall.
Hi Folks,
Hatch lock works fine on my 92 coupe if using the footwell switch, but using a NEW rear microswitch causes the fuse to blow repeatedly.
Any suggestions where to look without unwrapping a bunch of cables to chase where the microswitch connection ends up? I know previous owner has some work done to get the footwell switch to work. However, it possible they didn't wire stuff back up correctly for the rear-microswitch.