Ordered an actuator and new shocks for the trunk hatch and the shocks came in and now I can't get the trunk to release. The key fob won't pop it open, nor the button near the back license plate nor the cable under the strut tower. I tug the cable as hard as I can and have a friend push down and pull up on the hatch but nothing gives. There has to be another way to get the hatch open. Any ideas? It's on 07 coupe.

 

First, check the Factory FSM to see if they have a troubleshooting guide.

Check your fuses to make sure you're getting power to the latch mechanism. You can also try taking it to a dealership or someone who has a bi-directional carputer where you can send a command to unlatch the trunk via the BCM.

If that doesn't work, find a very small person who can fit in the trunk and have them use a large enough hole saw on the interior trim piece to expose the latch mechanism. Try to manually unlatch the trunk (you may have to drill it apart) and replace all damaged parts.

Since you've tried the cable under the rear support structure and it still doesn't unlock, you may just have a totally crapped out latch. You might want to try drilling a small hole in the trim piece covering the latch and dousing some penetrating oil on it and use the cable again before you start cutting your trim panel apart.

 

Yeah going to need a very small and flexible person for that operation. If you pull the panel off the back and the headliner out you might be able to unbolt everything that holds the hatch without destroying anything but its not going to be easy unless your a lepricon contortionist.

 

that cable if it has tension on it is still connected. You're gonna have to pull REALLY hard. But try and spray some penetrating lubricant back there. Pop the trunk light housing out of the back panel and use a long "straw" on the can to aim it towards the center of the rear of the car. It's tight, trust me I had this problem but it was that my electronic connection was unhooked. Breathe easy and squeeze your head under that strut bar. It's the only way.

 

^had to climb in and get upside down with my back on the console bar behind the seat and unbolt everything till I got enough room to manually release the latch with a screw driver. Was sore as can be the next day. That cable ended up coming out of the clasp. Bent it back with some plyers

 

I have the same problem. Making my life harder is that the only keyfob is not here right now, so I can't try that. I'm going to check the fuses tonight.

Does the release cable require a pretty strong pull?

I haven't gotten to mine because there is a subwoofer box there that I have to try and move so I can get to the opening on the bottom of the strut brace.

 

He hasn't logged in for like 6+ years