Locked trunk lid

Einarbache · 12-21-2007, 09:38 PM

Help! I just received a 1976 911 Targa which had been 3 months on the way from US to Europe. The battery is now flat and the trunk lid cannot be opened. What can I do to open it?

rick-l · 12-21-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Einarbache

Help! I just received a 1976 911 Targa which had been 3 months on the way from US to Europe. The battery is now flat and the trunk lid cannot be opened. What can I do to open it?

HarryD · 11:02 PM

I am confused. You should just need to use your key to unlock the pull handle (under dash next to driver door) and give it a tug. The trunk does not require power to be opened.

Einarbache · 12-21-2007, 11:15 PM

The battery is flat - I have used the key - it does not work!

HarryD · 12-21-2007, 11:20 PM

Does your key turn in the lock of the trunk pull handle?

Dueller · 12-21-2007, 11:20 PM

Pull on the trunk release lever while someone sharply "slaps" the lid in the center below th emblem with an open palm. Should pop it open.

Einarbache · 12-21-2007, 11:24 PM

I have used the key, stearing wheel is unlocked - should the same happen for the trunk lid handle?
If so, what could be my problem?

Einarbache · 12-21-2007, 11:27 PM

Thank you for the suggestions, I will try them but cannot reply back before after the season holidays.

HarryD · 12-21-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Einarbache

I have used the key, stearing wheel is unlocked - should the same happen for the trunk lid handle?
If so, what could be my problem?

The lock is not related to the ignition switch. Below the ignition switch, under the dash and to the left is a pull handle. This opens your trunk lid.

It should look like this:

Einarbache · 12-22-2007, 04:40 AM

I have tried the suggestions, the key turns in the lock of the trunk pull handle, but the pull handle does not move a fraction of an inch. The car has an electric locking device for the doors and I guess an alarm system - could this influence how the trunk lid is opened?
I definitely want to get hold of the battery and see whether it is connected.

cdrik915 · cdrik915's Garage

I think the opening cable has broken , so you must try to do working the locker manually : find , if you can , this cable and pull on it !!!

petrolblue83911 · 12-22-2007, 05:37 AM

The trunk release on a 76 is not electric. none are or were. it is completely manual. The lever is connected to a cable which connects to latch at the front of the trunk. The condition of your battery will have no influence on opening the trunk.

turning the key in the lock on the pull for the trunk should release the lock. If the key does not turn when you insert it, you likely have a car that was re-keyed. If this is the case, which I suspect, you need to find the correct key.

If you don't have the correct key, you will need to manually flip the lock,-I have never needed to do this, so others need to help here!

Good luck!
-Adam

Les Paul · Les Paul's Garage

Worse case scenario. Remove the front bumber to get acess to the release mechanism. I had to do it about a month ago.

Bench-Racing · 12-22-2007, 06:47 AM

Aftermarket electronic hood locks were a popular alarm accessory. It consists of an electronic unit that holds the latch with another cable pulling in the opposite direction. When the battery is flat, the cable is held tight and will not allow the factory pull to release it. Good installers left a couple of leads under the dash or out by the hood release (front of car) so you could supply power to the aftermarket release in case of a dead battery. Otherwise you have to drill a hole on the passenger side of the latch big enough to cut the cable that is holding tension in the opposite direction. I guess you could also try pulling on the cable and hoping one end will give way (smaller hole). I have seen plenty of these holes drilled in 911 or that era, a common problem. One non-evasive way to try would be to charge you car battery through the cigarette lighter or other + and- access. That way the aftermarket lock gets the power needed to release. Good luck.
Regards,
Charles

RoninLB · 12-22-2007, 08:02 AM

My car had a Clifford trunk electric lock as part of the alarm package.

Chuck Moreland · 12-22-2007, 08:19 AM

Assuming the problem is someone added an electric hood latch....

If the cig lighter is functional you could use this to power up. Get a cig power adapter, and attached the leads to a 12v. Should easily get enough amps to trigger the latch.

Gene Wilkes · 12-22-2007, 08:26 AM

Try a battery charger that works thru the cigarette lighter to try and recharge/restart the car. If the trunk is battery/alarm related, this may help!

MBEngineering · 12-22-2007, 08:43 AM

HI Einarbache
You could try this??to open the lid.

regards mike

HarryD · 12-22-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdrik915

I think the opening cable has broken , so you must try to do working the locker manually : find , if you can , this cable and pull on it !!!

Actually, if the cable breaks, the the trunk lid unlatches. It is a very clever design to help the owner if the cable breaks.

Reading above, it sounds like he may have an after market electric trunk unit. If so, this is beyond my knowledge. I wish him the best of luck and hope he is able to energize the lock unit without cutting his car.

MBEngineering, thanks for posting the factory instructions for getting to the truck lock mechanism. I am concerned that if he does have a solenoid holding the cable, then this may not work.

Einarbache · 12-22-2007, 09:30 PM

Thank you all for good info, I will have to use some time to try out some of the suggestions. Again Thank you!