So i purchased a project 124 an 81 the trunk is closed but the rear lights are out of it how do i open a 124 trunk
from the inside?

Drill a small hole, maybe 1/4" Dia; 2" below the top of the trunk, centered. Just be a little careful not to go too far in, with a lot of force on the drill bit, because the latch mechanism is right back there. Then, with an awl, wiggled left and right, you can push the trunk release rod and unlatch the trunk. I had to do it and it works great. The license plate covers the hole and you can patch it up with a rubber plug or whatever works.

If the lights are out you have a couple of other alternatives too. You can reach in and move the lever sideways to pop the latch. If it's jammed you can remove the two nuts that hold the latch onto the studs in the trunk. If there is a plastic cover there may be a two nuts, then remove the cover, then remove the two nuts that hold the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism basically slides over two studs and is held in place by (I think) 10 mm nuts.

Why do I know this? I installed a defective latch, then shut my trunk. In an abnormally lucky happenstance I didn't have the rear lights installed at the time!

aj81spider wrote:If the lights are out you have a couple of other alternatives too. You can reach in and move the lever sideways to pop the latch. If it's jammed you can remove the two nuts that hold the latch onto the studs in the trunk. If there is a plastic cover there may be a two nuts, then remove the cover, then remove the two nuts that hold the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism basically slides over two studs and is held in place by (I think) 10 mm nuts.

Why do I know this? I installed a defective latch, then shut my trunk. In an abnormally lucky happenstance I didn't have the rear lights installed at the time!

OK i fig the lever was in there i just need to feel around but haven't looked at a latch in a while and was hoping
someone could chime in thanks...

If you don't have an inspection mirror this is the perfect excuse to spend the $10. With a flashlight and the mirror you can see the mechanism from the passenger side tail light opening. I believe you need to pull the black plastic piece connecting the lock to the latch toward the passenger side to release the latch. You might be lucky and find a PO attached a pull wire to it already.

I should have read more closely. With the lights out I think it is not too hard to get a hand in there and pull the latch lever.

A permanent trunk opening wire....hmmmm, that sounds like a good upgrade. My X1/9s always had one embedded in the door jamb. Very useful, using the key all the time, especially when I regularly disconnect the battery, is a pita.

RRoller123 wrote:I should have read more closely. With the lights out I think it is not too hard to get a hand in there and pull the latch lever.

A permanent trunk opening wire....hmmmm, that sounds like a good upgrade. My X1/9s always had one embedded in the door jamb. Very useful, using the key all the time, especially when I regularly disconnect the battery, is a pita.

thats ok this happens to me a lot and i appreciate your help at least i know what to do when the lights are in and this
happens hehe

It does work, the picture is of the hole I had to drill on MY car!