Trunk wont latch
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Mine started acting up a few months ago. When you push the button (key fob or on-dash) to unlatch the trunk, it makes a series of clicking noises, but you can open it. Once open, it won't latch. To get it to latch, we found that by pressing the trunk button again must reset something, and then it will latch. Good luck!
Don't know if this helps, but we recently did some suspension work on Ryan's '02 LX. We replaced the rear shocks and the struts, as well as springs all around. Anyway, to get to the shocks you have to take out all the panels in the trunk - the pieces that cover the tail lights, the center piece between those (where the latch is), and the fabric-covered panels over the wheel arches. Once we got it back together, it was difficult to close the trunk and it's also difficult opening it. You can press the remote release on the dash, but you still have to manually lift the trunk.
If you did any work in the trunk, make sure that plastic center piece inbetween the tail lights is in the right place and down tight.
If you did any work in the trunk, make sure that plastic center piece inbetween the tail lights is in the right place and down tight.
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52 Posts
Check that the striker is centered in the latch opening as the trunk is closed. You can observe it by lowering the seatbacks and closing the trunk from the inside. Another clue is to look for damaged finish from metal-to-metal contact. Once you verify that the striker is off center, you can loosen the bolts, move it sideways to center it, then retighten. The bolt holes have loads of slop to allow side-to-side adjustments. FYI you'll need a set of Torx sockets for this.
The strikers seem to go off center over time, probably from having stuff dragged over them and repeatedly getting whacked by the latch when the trunk is closed. When the striker is off center, it hits the side of the latch on its way down, making it difficult for the latch to engage all the way.
Centering the striker got my trunk to close properly, but I had to do a little more work to get it to open easily. When the latch hits the striker, a rotating plastic hook catches it. The trunk is held closed by a metal finger that catches a matching metal bump on top of the hook; when you press the trunk release, a solenoid withdraws the finger and allows the hook to rotate out of the way (that's the best way I can describe these parts- it makes more sense if you inspect the latch). My striker had worn an indentation in the plastic hook, which caused it to stick. I carved away the edge of the indentation with an X-Acto knife, and viola, the trunk now pops open like a champ. [thumb]
The strikers seem to go off center over time, probably from having stuff dragged over them and repeatedly getting whacked by the latch when the trunk is closed. When the striker is off center, it hits the side of the latch on its way down, making it difficult for the latch to engage all the way.
Centering the striker got my trunk to close properly, but I had to do a little more work to get it to open easily. When the latch hits the striker, a rotating plastic hook catches it. The trunk is held closed by a metal finger that catches a matching metal bump on top of the hook; when you press the trunk release, a solenoid withdraws the finger and allows the hook to rotate out of the way (that's the best way I can describe these parts- it makes more sense if you inspect the latch). My striker had worn an indentation in the plastic hook, which caused it to stick. I carved away the edge of the indentation with an X-Acto knife, and viola, the trunk now pops open like a champ. [thumb]
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9,247 Posts
there are also 2 bolts that bolt the locking mechanism to the trunk sheet metal. they tend to come loose and then the locking mechanism also isn't lined up! tighten them up as thats the easiest fix!
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3,633 Posts
x2 I picked up a wagon with the same symptoms and from investigating someone left something across the striker lock assembly and when they closed it they forced it back ( evident from the screw marks being off) I reset the locking mechanism back to the default spot and my door closes fine
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64 Posts
So here's a question..... With a sedan, is my trunk supposed to pop and actually open, or just pop, and then I have to open it myself? My wife's Sunfire, when she pops the trunk will actually open up, but mine doesn't. Lid stays closed, but it's unlocked.
Thanks!
By the way, my car was rear ended before I bought it.
Thanks!
By the way, my car was rear ended before I bought it.
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3,633 Posts
Im not sure if there supposed to lift automatically ( I have a pair of Focus SE Wagons) but if my memory serves me right when I went to inquire about Lift Shocks they actually had ones for the Sedan yours may be weak and needing to be replaced... ( Just like mine which at the moment needs a 2x2 to keep it open XD there completely drained and I have a welt on my head to prove it)
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