Operating the trunk...

[arnebret]

I know this must be the strangest subject ever, but still, when it comes to a Porsche 944 the trunk is a strange piece of equipment you need to master
I just installed new locks because the old ones were worn out and didn't return properly. After installing the locks the trunk did shut properly again. The only thing i'm still wondering about is HOW is this system designed. When putting the key in the rear lock and turning it (and holding it in that position), the locks will open and you can open the trunk. Now, the trunk is open, the locks will pop back into closed position with the trunk opened. If you close the trunk now the pin will slide in the lock, pushing two metal parts away that will return again to lock the pin. Ok, so far for the manual part...
But what about the automatic part??? When you press the unlock button a motor will open the lock but it will just pop back into lock again, causing a nice closed trunk even after you've pushed the button. Something must be wrong here or the system is just plain stupid.. Any ideas??

[Leadfoot]

thought on relay operation...normally they wire them so when a signal is registered at one point they open a second circuit, allowing power to trigger a solenoid...these trigger points r wired normally open or normally closed so that a normally closed cicuit opens when current is registered ...thought,sounds like its toggling both ways.,try holding the release button down...does it lock again when you let up on the button...if it is then you r dual triggering an it could be the switch is trashed. After looking at the haynes manual it just shows a switch thats manually operated, no mention of a motor at all...hmmmm.... anyway constant power on or off shouldnt effect the statis of the release mechanism...only when power changes i.e 12V to 0V or vica versa should there be a change..hmmmmmmmmmmm...thought... is the hatch ment to pop up from a spring....this would mean after momentary realease the hatch could pop up and the mechanism would be ready to lock again when the hatch is shut again..rusted spring .....sounds like a goer........sorry late night ...more coffee to get my brain going i think...Leadfoot

[threesticks]

Hi Arnebret: My '86 951 does the exact same thing. I can adjust the locks in my garage to release every time that I hit the release button but if I move the car,such as drive to the store or to work it won't realease with the button. I have to use the key. Even when I return to the garage it won't work with the button.
I think that the rubber weather srtipping around the hatch is supposed to also act as a spring to cause the hatch to lift out of the locks. Mine dosn't spring up even when I use the key method.
I have found that if I park the car so that it is twisted in torsion, one wheel higher than the others the hatch will some times pop open when I use the release button. Some what unorthodox and not really practical.
I think that I read somewhere on this BB that Porsche had a service bulliten stating that the hatch release may or may not work. It was worded better than that but thats how I remember it.

I hope that this helps, Threesticks.

[arnebret]

I looked a bit more at the trunk stuff today and i think the trunk isn't ALWAYS popping up as it should do. When releasing the lock, the hood should just lift enough to get the pins out of lock (both manual and automatic). I think this is how it's designed, but over time the system may loose a bit... Maybe the weatherstrip from the trunk is meant to give the rear a little pop, who knows... I will see what there is to do about it, it's not a disaster

[anotherblack944]

Yes, it's a combination of the weather strip and the gas lifters.

I just put a new seal in (lifters last year) and now when I hit the button it opens every time. There is some torque involved as well cause now when I go over railroad tracks one side will open on it's own. I can see that the pin on that side is worn so I think it slips off the latch (spring project)..

Also, pushing the release button causes the motor to rotate one revolution and stop. This pulls the latch open and then it closes again.