Deck Lid stuck!!!

[Todge]

Got the car back from paint and didn't like the way the deck lid was adjusted, so I started adjusting it. I got it stuck, and now the release won't open it. How far up the creek am I?
Todge

[patz]

Front or rear? The rear you can slide a wrench inside and loosen the latch. Front involves removing the bumper in many cases.

[Spumato]

Unless it's severely off center, then the only resort is to cut a whole in the engine deck lid exterior to remove the compromised lid and replace with a fiberglass unit. Sorry, it sucks if you have to pursue the route.

[word]

Had the same issue when adjusting mine. Was stuck real good. Got mine unstuck by having someone disengage the lock while I GENTLY shimmied it side to side and lifted at the same time. Eventually it popped loose. Make sure you watch the gaps so you don't chip any paint.

[Jesse16]

I got my engine lid stuck a few times after paint but luckily I had the grill removed so reached in and freed it. If you can grab the edge, try to push it or torque it assuming its not waaay off.
Front bumper removal might give you more access to reach in with a thin tool ?? Start reading threads.

[Fubawu]

If you can get someone to pull the release you can slightly pry it open. If it only opens
an inch or so, then you can use a wrench to loosen the two bolts to adjust the receiver.
Tedious work, ask me how I know

[pors1968]

Unscrew the release handle push cable.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Spumato

Unless it's severely off center, then the only resort is to cut a whole in the engine deck lid exterior to remove the compromised lid and replace with a fiberglass unit. Sorry, it sucks if you have to pursue the route.

I would think you might be able to slip a hacksaw blade in there and cut the latching pin before resorting to cutting the lid !

[sugarwood]

This one is a terrible pit in the stomach feeling.
This was my experience with this: How to realign sticking/stuck engine lid latch?

+1 on having someone hold the release handle, and you just pushing and pulling the lid in every direction.
If you have no helper, you can wedge a vice grip against the door pillar while clamped to the wire while the release is pulled to keep the handle pulled.

Also, if there is a gap in the deck lid and the prong is stuck, you might be able to get a slim jim up in there and just hit at the stuck prong and maybe get it loose. This could require 3 people. One holding the release handle. One yanking/jostling the deck lid. One jabbing at the prong with the slim jim. Note, you don't jab the slim jim from the center of the deck lid where the prong is. You go in from the side. You just need a little gap, and the slim jim needs to be long and real thin.

ATD 6 Piece Lockout Tool Kit 4976 | eBay

For posterity, I think the best practice is to remove the prong while you do adjustments. Always be sure the prong is centered into the female latch, otherwise the spring coils will just get caught on the latch, and the release latch don't matter.

[Todge]

You guys are the best. I was able to remove the decklid grille and slide a wrench in far enough to undo the latch. I did get that sinking feeling in my stomach when i thought it was closed for good LOL. Ultimately, I think its sort of a shoddy aftermarket fiberglass IROC tail, combined with the perfect storm of crappy re-assembly at the body shop, which led to the near catastrophe. This is my first time needing help from this board, and I have to say, i'm impressed by the quick and knowledgeable responses. THANKS!!!
Todge.

[JSV798]

As you have discovered it is a good idea to remove the grille BEFORE you attempt adjustment. When adjusting bear in mind that the cable must be pre-tensioned. First make sure that the handle is fully screwed onto the cable at the door end. At the lock end loosen the cable clamp screw; the lock will then be open; it opens automatically if the cable breaks. Move the lever with the clamp screw to a point where you can see most of the "blade" and tighten the clamp screw. Test. If it fails to open you can reach in through the grille opening and release the lock lever by hand (no need to undo anything).

It is important to realize that the lock has two open positions: one when the cables has no tension and two when you pull on the handle. This clever design means that if the cable breaks the lock opens, otherwise as you have found there is a problem.

The front hood lock was the same on the early models but has been changed. Presumably it was thought not to be such a good idea to have the hood unlock at speed.

[Todge]

Originally Posted by JSV798

As you have discovered it is a good idea to remove the grille BEFORE you attempt adjustment. When adjusting bear in mind that the cable must be pre-tensioned. First make sure that the handle is fully screwed onto the cable at the door end. At the lock end loosen the cable clamp screw; the lock will then be open; it opens automatically if the cable breaks. Move the lever with the clamp screw to a point where you can see most of the "blade" and tighten the clamp screw. Test. If it fails to open you can reach in through the grille opening and release the lock lever by hand (no need to undo anything).

It is important to realize that the lock has two open positions: one when the cables has no tension and two when you pull on the handle. This clever design means that if the cable breaks the lock opens, otherwise as you have found there is a problem.

The front hood lock was the same on the early models but has been changed. Presumably it was thought not to be such a good idea to have the hood unlock at speed.

Dang, if only I had a time machine, I could've used this BEFORE I started!

[Mony]

While you are at it, check the alignment for the both doors and the front hood. Most likely if the deck-lid is misaligned, so are the doors and hood. My car got back from paint with a stuck deck lid. Took some time to open it and realign it. After that I went straight to the doors and the hood.

[rnln]

Same thing happen to me years ago. After many diff tried (2 evenings), I finally let me wife keep pulling on the lever, while I hugged and pulled the whole deck/tail left to right. Luckily it released