Trunk lid won't open

[beachspider]

My trunk lid on my 79 Spider will no longer open. I can get the key to turn but not release the latch. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Tim

[RRoller123]

There is a procedure that involves drilling a small hole in the rear valence underneath the license plate (it won't show when the plate is installed and you can full it with RTV or a plug after the latch is repaired) and then putting in a small screwdriver and you can release the catch and get it open. If you do a search here on the forum I think you will find the hole position and diameter dimensions. if you don't find anything I will go outside and measure mine and take a picture since it was done previously on my car.

[beachspider]

Thanks. Before resorting to drilling a hole I tried the coat hanger in the license plate mounting hole trick to no avail. Since the keyhole was already toast ended up jamming a large screwdriver in it and it opened.

[RRoller123]

Great! I think I will go out today and take a picture and some measurements because this comes up now and then. In my case the trunk key was lost and I have only 1. A week later one of my clients then found the key at her worksite! Fell out of my coat pocket. Have it on a carabiner now. <{:^)

[RRoller123]

For anyone who may need to know this in a jam, here is how to get into the trunk if the key is lost or breaks off or whatever:

Drill a 1/4 inch dia hole exactly centered, 2" down from the top of the rear valence. Careful not to drill in too far, dont want to damage the latch mechanism. Go easy. If you then insert a flat bladed screwdriver or awl (icepick if you worked with the Corleones) in a little ways and work it left and/or right, you can trigger the latch to release. I filled the hole with RTV afterwards. A smaller hole might work as well. Got my trunk open when the key was temporarily lost for like a week.

[davery]

I am assuming you pushed down on the trunk lid when you turned the key?

[burlybryan]

I am assuming you pushed down on the trunk lid when you turned the key?

Exactly the first thing to try. Mine needs to be pressed down while turning the key to open. I have locked my keys in the trunk though and did employ the hole drilling technique with quick success. Couldn't pick the lock to save my life...

[RRoller123]

Yes, agreed. Some small downward pressure seems to significantly lower the force needed to turn the key.

[wikkid]

Wouldn't it be useful to install a manual, or even a solenoid-activated, cable release, activated/pulled from a discreet location inside the car?
There were manual release levers in American cars back a few years ago, where the lever was inside the glove box... Useful if you lose your keys.

I thought of this a while ago, as I had stumbled across this how-tofrom somewhere online.....

[RRoller123]

My car has a front hood release cable attached at the front latch mechanism, but I can't find anywhere that it comes out inside the car. Must have been done by the PO. Not being able to get into the engine compartment is a real problem, as I don't think there is a simple drill-a-hole solution like with the trunk?

Pete

[wikkid]

My car has a front hood release cable attached at the front latch mechanism, but I can't find anywhere that it comes out inside the car. Must have been done by the PO. Not being able to get into the engine compartment is a real problem, as I don't think there is a simple drill-a-hole solution like with the trunk?

Pete

Should be a thin lever under the dash if you reach in with your left hand, driver's seat. My hood won't close until you push the lever back to reset the latch.

[RRoller123]

No what I mean is that he installed a redundant second hood release cable in case the first one broke. It is made from 12 AWG wire, attached properly to the latch mechanism so whn you pull on it the latch will release, and it runs back through the firewall, but where it ends up in thecar I haven't figured out yet. A great idea in case (or when) the primary cable fails!

[DocGraphics]

I believe that is a factory safety latch release, mine has it too, there is a loop at the other end way up inside the footwell just above where the battery cable & gas lines enter the cabin. I have seen it mentioned here before.

[RRoller123]

Excellent, I will look there for it. But I seem to remember that it was made of electric wire, so I will have to take a second look. The factory wouldn't do that I am pretty sure. But one never knows fully.

[DocGraphics]

I just looked in my factory manual & yes it lists an emergency release cable.

Page 70-1/2 (701.01) in the factory shop manual
Quote: "An emergency release cable is provided in the event that normal hood release becomes inoperative. Emergency release cable is located near hood release handle"