Help!! Decklid stuck.....

[Davewjunior]

Put a new set of shocks on the rear decklid today. I think I closed the lid a little too hard (plus the rubber stops are worn) and it went down farther than it normally does (about 1/3" of extra fender showing on the side). It's down tight now and won't come up. I've tried having someone jiggle the pull handle while I jiggle the decklid, and I've tried just pulling the handle hard and jiggling the lid. Is there a way to get to the mechanism from underneath without having to pull the back end apart? As a plus, I had the rear center reflector and taillights out so I can go in through the "valance panel" behind the reflector if you think that'll work (I'd even be willing to cut a small hole).
If all else fails, I just did a tune up, belt/alternator, and oil change, so I won't be having to get back in there for at least .... well .... 2 days or so.
Thanks in advance for the help!

[byfdinky]

I had a similar issue with my deck lid. Did you try pushing down on the lid while the release is pulled? Also, can you take it for a quick spin and see if the bumps shake it fee? I know these sound primitive but they worked for me!

[Davewjunior]

I did a LOT of pushing and pulling. Enough where I was nervous about putting a dent in the decklid. Can someone post a pic of the release mechanism and then the pin in the lid itself? If the pin goes in too far, will it catch further down also, or is there only that one lip?

[wolf76]

I had a similar problem with mine. What worked was using heavy duty wire wrapped around the pin and moving while the release handle was being pulled. The problem was that it was lined up properly and the pin needed to be put back in position. I hope that helps.


Chris

[Davewjunior]

Thanks. I'll give all of these a try tomorrow. If nothing else works, I guess I'll have to pull off the bumper and muffler and hope to get at the mechanism that way. I'm just hoping I won't have to do any cutting to get at it. Just got the car a month ago and was planning on putting it on the road this week.

[89911]

The hood latch was actually designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself to stop any would be do it your selfers from monkeying around with the engine. This has happened almost to anyone who has changed a hood shock or deck lids. Having two decks, one with tail, one without, this happens to me occasionally. The edge of the latch pin is getting stuck on the edge of the hole that is goes in. It has already released from the locking mechanism. I have found that the easiest way to get it open is to have someone in the car opening the trunk and another putting gentle pressure on the decklid in a variety of directions while someone opens the trunk. Start putting some force in varying directions before the other helper pops the decklid opener. If it doesn't open, re-close the trunk and keep trying. The idea is to get it to pop open and have the latch clear the hole edges. After you get it open (you will) close the lid slowly and eye up the alignment of the mechanisms. You can adjust the latch to center it. If this still doesn't work, get some slim tool to try to push the latch in the direction needed for it to unlatch.

[holtjv]

You've probably tried this, but did you push down on the highest part of the deck lid, above the grill? I still have to bump mine with the heel of my hand when pulling on the release.

You can also try jacking up one side at a time to see if torquing it a bit will get it open.

good luck! Jack

[Hugh R]

I thought I read here once that the lock is a center lock and that somehow releasing the cable (cutting it, I don't know) released it to the center-open position.

[Kaliv]

Been there before as well. My answer would be to just use some muscle. Nothing fancy... Here is the thread I started when it happened to me.

Bright Idea Needed - Screwed up Trunk Lifts

[Davewjunior]

Ok, read through all of the suggestions .... tried all of the suggestions. The time for drastic measures has come. (something I may have neglected to put in the first post is, since I was also working on a bumperette delete, I had the center reflector AND the rear decklid seal out, so the lid was able to go down MUCH farther than it normally would).
I cut a rectangular hole into the rear valance and then another hole into the sheet metal behind that and found the tip of the upper part of the decklid latch. I'm going to try and get a prybar or something onto the tip of the latch and pry it to the right while someone holds the cable open. I guess I can add a little body work to the list (although it will be hidden by the center reflector). Hate to put her under the knife, but I've run out of ideas.

[Davewjunior]

Crisis averted. I had to hold the pull handle open with a set of pliers, go through the hole I cut in the rear valance panel with a pry bar, pry the upper latch mechanism to the right and REALLY muscle the lid up before it finally popped. First thing I did was remove the aftermarket double-shock. Everything works fine now. I'm going to just make up a prop rod for it. Thanks for all the help everyone! Bumperette delete is done. New carpet going in this week then I'll post some pics.