Hey all, so I just got my car detailed (looks brand new again, very happy with the outcome) and later on that day, I went to open my trunk to put my stuff back in it, I clicked the button above the license plate and heard the latch click. I went to open the trunk, but it was still locked somehow; sort of when you close the door, but not all the way and you cannot open it.

Anyway the only way for me to open the trunk is if i click the button twice now. Has thia happened to anyone before? Dont wanna jump to conclusions, but it was fine before i got my car detailed.

 

was it a cold day? the struts hardly work for me when its a cold morning so it doesn't spring up when i try and open it. i have to hold the button and lift up. if its a warm day, then there is something wrong with your struts and you're going to have to replace them

 

was about 40-50. Its not the struts although they are messed up from the dealer installing a stock wing..

Its the little black latch in the middle where the trunk piece locks with. Sorry if it doesnt make sense lol

anyway di maybe someyhing was moved in it like a spring or something and now it takes 2 button clicks for the trunk to fully unlock

 

The struts have nothing to do with opening, they are there to hold the hatch lid up. There are two springs under black holders, one on each side of the lid and those are supposed to pop the lid free of the latch. Yours might be wearing. Old trick is to remove them, drop a penny into each one and reinstall. Gives the springs more pressure.

 

I have the same problem with my 05

I had read its the struts so thanks for the clarification and the nice trick to fix it. Ill have to give that a try before I go buy new struts that wouldnt even fix the problem.

 

Do the penny trick for now. Open ur hatch, take off the rubber boot where the springs are, and stick a couple pennies in it, it seems to be the rigging route many take. I used washers, but I believe either pennies or nickels will fit too.

 

Not to jack the thread, but what happens when the penny trick wears out?
Is there a way to replace those springs?

 

I did the penny trick. Its since worn out. I thought about just throwing more in there but since im not living in a box, i'll buy the replacement parts.

I've also decided to nut up and hit the button twice. Like a man.

 

It's not a chevy, every part is replaceable haha. I'm sure you can change the springs somehow

 

It’s difficult to explain how detailing the car would cause the hatch release to malfunction, but stranger things do happen.

I’m guessing but think the hatch springs are the problem. When the springs wear, they no longer can “pop” the hatch requiring you to press the release multiple times.


The springs are encased in black rubber and vinyl…


…and are located near the end of the lift struts.

The springs are easily replaced. You simply twist them and pull to remove. No tools needed. I have a 2003 350z, and have replaced the springs twice (so about every 5 years).

The lift struts also wear out eventually and require replacement. I purchased aftermarket lift struts designed for a hatch that has a spoiler attached (the struts are oversized and designed to lift more weight making them last longer than the OEM struts).

Hope this is helpful,

--Spike
___________________________________________
EDIT: I wouldn’t advise using the “penny trick.” The problem you might have is bending the sheet metal on the hatch. That happens if you keep adding pennies as the springs continue wearing.

 

I changed the springs and installed upgraded struts for my blitz replica spoiler which basically has not weight and I still have to pop my trunk, pull it up, then pop it again for me to be able to lift my hatch. Its so damn annoying!

 

I'm having the same problem. I'm suspecting the might be the motor is on its way out