Trunk release failure 87 lxi
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Trunk release failure 87 lxi
Hello all.
My 87 LXI hatchback has an inoperative trunk release mechanism. The trunk opens with the key and closes fine. However the trunk release just pulls and does nothing. Should I assume a broken cable and start looking for a guide to replace that? Thanks for any advice
My 87 LXI hatchback has an inoperative trunk release mechanism. The trunk opens with the key and closes fine. However the trunk release just pulls and does nothing. Should I assume a broken cable and start looking for a guide to replace that? Thanks for any advice
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 36
Before replacing the cable, inspect the trunk latch to see if it just needs lubrication. I’m not familiar with exactly how the release cable is attached, but I’ve seen plenty of hood latches in which the cable lever is seized or dragging and it just doesn’t fully return to the released position. The hood stays shut but the cable can’t pull the lever far enough to open it.
If it looks like this is the case, spray WD40 or equivalent on the latch and use a pair of pliers or a screwdriver to work the cable lever back and forth until it feels like it’s moving freely. Then spray a little more lube on it, shut the trunk and attempt to open using the lever in the cabin. If it works, shut and release the trunk several times to fully work the lube into the latch.
If it looks like this is the case, spray WD40 or equivalent on the latch and use a pair of pliers or a screwdriver to work the cable lever back and forth until it feels like it’s moving freely. Then spray a little more lube on it, shut the trunk and attempt to open using the lever in the cabin. If it works, shut and release the trunk several times to fully work the lube into the latch.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Before replacing the cable, inspect the trunk latch to see if it just needs lubrication. I’m not familiar with exactly how the release cable is attached, but I’ve seen plenty of hood latches in which the cable lever is seized or dragging and it just doesn’t fully return to the released position. The hood stays shut but the cable can’t pull the lever far enough to open it.
If it looks like this is the case, spray WD40 or equivalent on the latch and use a pair of pliers or a screwdriver to work the cable lever back and forth until it feels like it’s moving freely. Then spray a little more lube on it, shut the trunk and attempt to open using the lever in the cabin. If it works, shut and release the trunk several times to fully work the lube into the latch.
If it looks like this is the case, spray WD40 or equivalent on the latch and use a pair of pliers or a screwdriver to work the cable lever back and forth until it feels like it’s moving freely. Then spray a little more lube on it, shut the trunk and attempt to open using the lever in the cabin. If it works, shut and release the trunk several times to fully work the lube into the latch.
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