Sedan Trunk Lid Woes

bman · Post by **bman** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 3:07 pm

The ole' trunk doesn't pop up like it used to. Instead it stays closed no matter how many times I pull the trunk release lever and I have to stop the engine, get out and open the darn thing myself. I think it's a combination of old springs and the foam gasket is sticking to the trunk lid.
Does anyone else have this problem with the trunk lid of their sedan? Has anyone figured out a good (cheap) way of fixing it? I tried waxing the interior of the lid (where it makes contact with the foam) but, it just gets more sticky after time.

Thanks,
Brian

QuickDrive · Post by **QuickDrive** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 3:12 pm

The way I fixed my lid from opening from the inside was biting the bullet and stop being too lazy to get out and open it with the key

My wire snapped at the lever... too annoying to fix.

mTk · Post by **mTk** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 4:07 pm

is your vallet switch in the trunk on? there is a small rod that moves and prevents the interior release from working

MK

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 4:50 pm

I too have the same problem.. i'd been assuming it was from the cables and such.. let's not forget, some of our cars are old enough to get zits. (13+) anyway, somewhere between the wire and the valet switch in the trunk, there's a kink in the system.. my guess is that it's closer to the trunk, if your lever is still attached to the wire in the interior. take apart the trunk assembly and see what you can do... i'll bet something doesn't look right and you'll know. I'll try this at home tonight for myself, and i'll let you know how it turns out.
-=tris

bman · Post by **bman** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 4:07 pm

Thanks for the advice QD. I guess that might be some of the reason why my belly is getting bigger.

The truck cable and lever are working correctly. I can hear the little latch go "click" in the back when I pull it. It's definitely a combination of old trunk springs and the foam gasket sticking to the lid. Even when I use the key, sometimes I have to pull up on the trunk to release the stickyness of the foam. I know waxing the lid keeps it from sticking for a while but, it starts to stick again after a month or so. And the springs have a hard time raising the lid on it's own even after lubricating the contact points.
Is there some sort of lubricant I can put on the foam gasket?
Is there some way to reinforce the springs? They look like a pain to replace.

Thanks,
Brian

Bosco · Post by **Bosco** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 5:12 pm

is your vallet switch in the trunk on? there is a small rod that moves and prevents the interior release from working

Doesn't sound like this guy's problem, but good tip none the less.

The trunk lid release lever is partially broken off in my sedan because the previous owner (or the used car dealer I got it from) had broken it trying to pry up on it with the valet switch on. The valet switch was still on when I bought it.

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 6:45 pm

My trunk ocassionally refuses to open. The lever will still feel like it opened when you pull up on it but it doesn't open. What I did to fix mine (it wasn't properly lined up with the latch) was to gently twist the mechanism in the back so that it wasn't snagging on the sides of it's frame. Then I rubbed a little oil on the sides of the mechanism. I also loosened and retightend the screws on the latch and it's been working so far.

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 7:31 pm

my hood does that.

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 9:18 pm

Shit!!

My hood won't open at all on my white L now. Does anyone know how to open jammed hoods???/

Please

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 9:29 pm

I've done it before by reaching through the grill (or just breaking the grill off) and pushing directly on the thingie that the hood release cable usually attaches do... Sometimes you have to put upward pressure on the hood while you do it. Or you could just reach in there with a 10mm (I think) socket on a long extension and undo the bolts holding the hood latch in place. I think I've done that too.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 4:37 am

It's good practice to keep latches lubed, especially in bad climates. I never have problems that way (I just get major things like dead transmissions and blown pistons).

Steve

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:44 pm

I think I'll try that, thanks.

kidwired · Post by **kidwired** » Sun May 08, 2005 4:32 pm

I have this problem. I've inspected cables and mechanism.
The release works fine, if someone lifts up on the trunk lid while I pull the lever. So it seems there is not enuff spring tension for it to pop.

I've lubed anything that moves in the trunk.

tired springs or perhaps misaligned trunk lid or latch?

Chris

kidwired · Post by **kidwired** » Thu May 26, 2005 12:48 am

FIXED mine today.
I took everything apart trying to figure it out.

Its an alignment issue.

If your deck is already aligned skip 1 & 2

1. the hinge bolts allow you to adjust fore/aft but I also needed to adjust height of the trunk lid leading edge (closest to rear window).

2. To lower the leading edge simply open the trunk and push GENTLY forcing the trunk open. Adjusting the hinges this way individually. Careful it doesnt take much.

to raise the leading edge height place a 2x4 on end in your trunk, place the top end on your trunk hinge (the U-part). And press down gently (shutting trunk motion). I said GENTLY!!

3. Next align latch assembly. Checking mine I coud see the lid latch had some minor deformation on the pass side edge and no wear marks on the drivers side. The lower latch had the same pattern.

I loosened the 2 bolts on the lower and forced it left. On the the lid I loosened 2 bolts and forced it right.

This not only will prevent the uneven wear but allows the cable actuator to fully move the Valet switch forward to realse the latch.

*POP*
Good luck
Chris

A_DuB · Post by **A_DuB** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:37 am

Does anyone know how to get the release handle trim cover off the part on the left hand side of the dirvers seat. I already took out the two screws. I cant figure out how to get the lever for the door to the gas cap off. Is it just a push pin or a set srew (like allenwrench or phillips).

A_DuB · Post by **A_DuB** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:14 am

Ok got it all fixed. The reason I was doing this was to replace the broken trunk release knob. Turns out you have to pull the levers/knobs straight off, not up and off like I did to my door to the gas tank knob but i think that will be fine just a little bit of a wiggle. As for the broken trunk release knob it was glued or cocked on there by the previous owners, so I had to take a dermal to the part that over hung the cover and then chiseled the rest off with a screw driver and hammer. After that I vacuumed out the entire car (I'm a clean freak) and put it all back together. The new trunk release knob that i got from 1stsubaruparts.com was slightly a different shade (blue opposed to the original gray) but who the hell cares.

climbingjunky · Post by **climbingjunky** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:42 pm

I know that this wont solve your problem of having to get out and use the key to open the trunk but it is something to think about. I had my 93 legacy broken into by the thieves breaking the front drivers side lock opening the car and pulling the trunk release, therefore accessing everything i had in my trunk, subs, amp, school bag, cds etc... My advice to you is to detach the interior trunk release and keep the back seats locked up, this way the only way thieves can access your trunk is with a crowbar. if you are opening the trunk you are gonna have to go back there to close it anyways.

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Sedan Trunk Lid Woes

Sedan Trunk Lid Woes