Unable to open trunk (who designed this thing?)

rjames · 03-02-2006, 10:25 PM

So I have an electric opener for the trunk. I recently found that I couldn't open it however, even though when pressing the button to actuate the unlock mechanism I could here it 'click'. Having only myself as an assistant, I rigged something up to hold the button down in the cab, while I tried to move the trunk lid around to allow it to open. (I don't think I really moved it at all). Eventually I smelled something burning and turned the button off. Smell was coming from the trunk- I believe I burned the cylinoid (sp?) out. So now that doesn't work at all- no more clicking sound when pressing the button.

Desperate I desided to see if I could remove the trunk hinges and approach things that way. Not sure what I was thinking, I guess I wasn't. I was able to get the passenger side spring retention plate up, which really only caused the whole spring to snap back and break the plastic guide off sending it flying. I think I was lucky that I didn't injure myself. Holy crap. Those things are under some pressure. What a crappy design. So now I have one spring 'unsprung' and turned the wrong way, a broken plastic hinge roller, and the trunk still isn't open.

Is there a way to get this trunk open without destroying it? The old key/lock mechanism was removed by the previous owner who installed the elcectric remote opener when he installed the rear reflector.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. And assuming there is a way inside the trunk without destroying the lock mechanism or worse- the trunk lid, is it possible to put the spring back on without making the custom tool I read about in the tech articles? Does someone sell this thing?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

genrex · 03-02-2006, 11:53 PM

Look for a wire hanging down by the rear valance or the exhaust. Many people with solenoid-operated rear trunks will install such a wire as a back-up plan.

Also, look for a small 1/8" hole in the center of your reflector. You can insert a sturdy wire coat-hanger thru that hole, to access the trunk latch.

I hope there is a wire or a hole for you to use.

Worst case scenario, if you try to remove your rear reflector and it breaks, I have a spare reflector (good condition) that you can have for free if you need it.

I don't know about the springs..

Roger

jim912928 · 03-03-2006, 03:27 AM

when you get it open DON'T put the electronic solenoid back in. When the 914club site is back up go look under the category for members who sell things...look for "engman"..he sells one super high quality manual release mechanism so it operates from the interior much like the front trunk release. Took me about 30 minutes to install it. Opens with the pull of one-finger.

On opening I've heard that some have gone through with a very long sturdy wire from the engine compartment (pop out the latch cups?) and have hooked it.

vesnyder · vesnyder's Garage

Good luck. I've removed the latch on my trunk until I am confident that the latch I put in works consistently.

freezing14 · 03-03-2006, 04:37 AM

the only why to get it open without breaking anything is to unscrew both hinge from the side ( on the body) not on the lid,, get yourself a LOT of 1/4 inch extension a 10mm socket and unscrew the 2 bolt that hold the catch

et voila,, I had one like that and the wiring of the selenoid fried, thats how I got it out, no scratch no beaking the reflector( the even might be a blocking plate behind)

let me know how it worked

frezz

rich · rich's Garage

If you still can't get it open, remove the pivot nuts from the hinges. You'll be able to lift the hinge side of the lid. Get a bunch of extensions, or make one out of some round bar from the hareware store, reach in and unbolt the latch. Then get the engman kit.

Freezing 14 beat me!

GWN7 · 03-03-2006, 05:50 AM

You can also push in one of the plastic cups that the targa top laches sit in (one on either side of the trunk) and use the extensions to reach the bolts that hold the latch in place. This is if your trunk isn't full. You need a lot of extensions.

Headrage · 03-03-2006, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GWN7
You can also push in one of the plastic cups that the targa top laches sit in (one on either side of the trunk) and use the extensions to reach the bolts that hold the latch in place. This is if your trunk isn't full. You need a lot of extensions.

I did this once and it does work. Better if you pop out both cups and have someone shine a light into the trunk.

It's a pita...

jim912928 · 03-03-2006, 06:54 AM

and I'll reiterate...get engmans cable kit for this versus the electronic setup! Much better quality then this setup!

SirAndy · 03-03-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GWN7
You can also push in one of the plastic cups that the targa top laches sit in (one on either side of the trunk) and use the extensions to reach the bolts that hold the latch in place. This is if your trunk isn't full. You need a lot of extensions.

even easier, take out the plastic cup on the drivers side, get a metal coathanger, unfold it, make a 90 deg. hook at the end, get a flashlight (better even a second pair of hands using the flashlight trough the second plastic cup hole) and use the coat hanger to release the lid ...

then, throw it in the trash can and get either the engman kit or pur the stock lock back on there.

as for the trunk lid springs, camp914 sells a gas shock replacement, which works much nicer, IMHO ...

Andy

rjames · 03-03-2006, 09:23 AM

I will look at trying all of the above :-)

Roger- thanks for the offer for a reflector- Tha'ts incredibely nice of you. I'm constantly amazed at how supportive the 914 community is! I'll keep you and the reflector in mind- although I won't let you give it to me for nothing. We can cross that bridge if necessary though.

I never really looked closely at the latch before, but my hunch is that it's not the standard latch at all that I can just 'pull' on to open. I think I'm going to have to unbolt either the part on the trunk lid, or the part that's against back wall of the trunk itself. Either way it's going to be interesting. I'll try the 'removal of the plastic cups' method first, and go from there. So the Engman trunk hinges replace the stock 'bar-springs'? Is there a not so dangerous way to remove the springs all together? Those plates are hard to remove under pressure, and I couldn't really get a wrench or socket in there to remove but a couple of the bolts.

I have a friend with a high power flashlight and skinny arms coming over tomorrow- will post the results. Wish me luck, and thanks again for all of the suggestions!

~Robert

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

"I" drilled a SMALL hole in the reflector and used a straigtened coat hanger to push on the latch....then gave that ******* SOLENOID the "float test"......but that's just me......

JWest · 03-03-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rjames
So the Engman trunk hinges replace the stock 'bar-springs'?

No, Camp914 sells shocks to replace the springs, and Engman sells a cable to replace the solenoid for the latch.

rjames · 03-03-2006, 09:44 AM

Ahhh thanks for the correction.

SirAndy · 03-03-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

I never really looked closely at the latch before, but my hunch is that it's not the standard latch at all that I can just 'pull' on to open.

yes, you can. the electric latch simulates the stock latch, thus, you can pull the latch just like you can pull the stock latch ...

the metal coat hanger trick worked for me. twice. no extension/unbolt/whatever needed ...

now back to working on the clubsite ...

Andy

rjames · 03-03-2006, 04:05 PM

Andy!

Hey, thanks for the tip, but really, getting the 914club website up and running again is WAY more important than me getting that body out of the trunk...

As with everyone else, I'm going through withdrawls with the board being down :-)

Thanks again, I'll start stringing coat hangers together...

C U on the other site!

genrex · 03-03-2006, 04:16 PM

I like Mike's idea... drilling a 1/8" hole in the reflector.

Robert, let me know if you want me to swing by with my 914, so you can look at the location of the hole. Also, if you've never used a coat-hanger to push on the latch, it can be quite frustrating the first time (esp if you're not sure what you're supposed to push on). That's two reasons for me to swing by, but nobody's counting except the Spanish Inquisition.

Roger

rjames · 06:36 AM

Well, happily I didn't need to cut into the reflector. I was able to use a long piece of metal, fit it inside the trunk from the engine side, and push down on the latch, and with the help of a friend to lift up, we got it open in less then 5 minutes. Pretty easy now that I know how to do it.

Removed the entire lid so I could do some minor rust repairs near the tail light. Re-welding the trunk hinge mounts and the getting the springs back on probably won't be as easy though... Will probably get rid of the springs all together as suggested.

Thanks to ALL for your suggestions. I'm continually amazed that how helpful 914 owners are!!

zumwoll · 03-05-2006, 09:14 PM

on other old sports cars I rigged up an emergency release in case the cable for either the trunk or engine compartment snapped as they will after 30 yrs. Has anyone done a simple fool proof set-up.
Thanks

HarveyH · 03-06-2006, 07:33 AM

I think the most fool-proof setup (other than the stock pushbutton release) is the hole in the reflector to allow a push pin to actuate the catch. I made up a flex cable pull for mine about 8 or 9 years ago, and I've always been afraid the cable will break or pull out of the clamp on the lever. I got one of Engman's kits last year but haven't got around to putting it in yet. His is much better than my design.
Harvey