So today was the day that my 2009 Camry’s trunk release cable finally broke. The lever on the floor by the driver’s side released all tension before the trunk opened, and I heard a pop.
A small metal ball with a portion of a cable slipped out from behind the cloth cover as I opened the trunk door. When I looked at the trunk latch, I noticed that on one side there was a cable pull that could be used to open the trunk from the inside. To keep it in place, the cable’s end features a little metal ball. The wire is missing from one side of the lock, at least I can’t see it.
How do I fix a cable on that device? I tried searching online, but I had trouble finding what I needed.
Edit: Using the remote control, the trunk now opens. I discovered the cable coming from the driver-side lever. images included
In This Article...
The trunk release cable is where?
The majority of modern automobiles, trucks, and SUVs have electronically operated trunk locks that open when the driver presses a button on the car’s interior or a remote control. On the other hand, older cars have trunk latch release wires that must be manually actuated and locked. These cables open the trunk when a handle is pulled. This handle is often found on the left side, close to a hood release, either next to the driver’s seat or underneath the dashboard. This cable may occasionally become broken, and if it does, it must be replaced by a person who is familiar with how it is fitted in order to prevent harm to other mechanical parts.
Simply put, a trunk latch release cable is a cable that, when pushed, releases the trunk latch. The cable is often only utilized when the driver opens the trunk while inside the car by pulling a lever. The cable has no effect on whether the trunk latch opens when the key is inserted into the lock or when it is activated remotely by a solenoid. The following are a few of the most typical causes of a broken trunk latch release cable:
- a collision in which the car was hit on the driver’s side
- Rust has harmed the cable connections on the latch or the back of the trunk.
- The cable was corroded by water or salt water.
The majority of trunk latch cables are composed of steel wire, which is exceedingly hard to damage. However, on some imports, the cable is made of a sturdy plastic substance that frequently separates from the connectors when the handle is tugged firmly or forcefully. The trunk latch cable will occasionally wear out and get damaged, regardless of the construction materials or installation location. Several indicators or warning signs that the trunk latch cable needs to be replaced when this occurs are displayed. Some of the typical signs of a broken or malfunctioning trunk latch release cable are listed below.
Without a key, how do you open the trunk of a Toyota Camry?
If you try this procedure on your own, there’s a risk you won’t be able to put everything back in its proper place, so be sure to follow the instructions and watch the instructional video first. When your Camry’s doors can be unlocked but the alarm system prohibits you from opening the trunk and your keys are inside, it still functions.
- On the driver’s door, find the plastic plug. When the door is closed, it is level with the handle and faces the B-Column. Remove it, then store it securely.
- Peer through the gap.
- Inside is a Torx head screw. Locate the right size Torx screwdriver, then remove the screw. Although there are safeguards in place to stop the screw from hitting the door, proceed with caution just in case.
- To get to the key cylinder, pull the door handle. The key cylinder must be removed from the socket, however doing so can be challenging due to how tightly it fits. Avoid breaking off the handle or scratching the paint. As a temporary layer of security, some masking tape will be fantastic.
- The cylinder head will emerge facing the car’s rear. Once you’ve opened the trunk, you won’t be able to put it back in any other way, so keep this in mind.
- Take a look at the key cylinder’s tip. The plus-shaped lock mechanism will be visible. When you look inside the cylinder slot, you will see a plus-shaped indentation where the cylinder should fit.
- Carefully place a flathead screwdriver into the cylinder slot. Rotate it to lock the car and then to unlock it once it is positioned inside the plus-shaped indentation.
- Press the trunk release button, and the trunk will open straight up!
It is far more difficult to put the cylinder lock back in place than it was to remove it. Let’s follow the procedures to put the door back in working order.
- Slide the cylinder back in from the same angle it was inserted by raising the door handle. Take your time, be gentle, and avoid using forcethis will involve plenty of twisting, pivoting, and turning.
- Insert the key, turn it, then gradually apply pressure to the cylinder until it is facing the proper direction and the door handle can slide onto it. The cylinder should then automatically fall into position.
- Tighten the Torx screw while the key is still within the lock. If the screw isn’t holding, you’ll use the key to wriggle it into place until it does, causing everything to settle into its proper position.
- After replacing the plastic stopper, the procedure is complete.
Without a key, how do you open a trunk from the outside?
Oops! Fortunately, as long as that isn’t locked, too, you can use the trunk release button or lever inside your car to open the trunk without a key.
The best approach to open the trunk if you’ve completely locked yourself out of the car is still through the cabin. To open your automobile door, you have two options: call a locksmith or use a slim jim.
Most auto parts stores sell slim jims, often known as lock picks. To utilize it to retrieve your keys from the trunk, follow these steps:
- Between the window and the window trim, press the pick down.
- With the pick, search the area for a rod.
- The automobile door should then open after using the pick to raise the rod.
- Now look inside your car for the lever or button that releases the trunk.
- To unlock the trunk, push or pull the lock.
Therefore, you have a few options if you’ve locked your keys in the trunk. If you’re locked out of the trunk as well, you can either use a slim jim by following the methods above, call roadside help, or open the trunk using the trunk release button or lever in the cabin.
If you have a history of bad luck, Jerry’s roadside assistance membership can help you avoid the hassle of auto accidents. For just $6.99 a month, Jerry joins with Urgently to offer you the best roadside assistance available, including features like towing, lockout service, and a mechanics hotline.
How do you use a screwdriver to open a trunk?
The screwdriver must be wedged into the lock and moved left and right until the trunk is unlocked. This is not advised, though.
If you use a screwdriver to open the trunk of your car, you risk damaging the paint, and replacing paint can cost hundreds of dollars. You also run the chance of damaging the lock. To solve the problem, you might want to contact a locksmith.
With a roadside assistance membership, you can avoid the inconvenience of lockouts and breakdowns. Try Jerry if you want roadside assistance at a great price. For just $6.99 a month, Jerry delivers the best roadside help in the business, including features like towing, lockout service, and a repair hotline.
A trunk striker is what?
When you close the lid, the trunk latch grips and retains a piece called the trunk striker plate. Some automobiles have the latch on the trunk lid and the striker on the body, while others have the reverse configuration. The latch may be guided by a few blocks of rubber or plastic on the striker, which may also contain a pin for the latch to latch onto. The majority of strikers may be adjusted, allowing you to correct for a slight misalignment in the trunk panel. If you notice warning lights on the trunk or have to repeatedly slam the trunk lid shut, it may be time to replace the trunk striker plate.
How can you tell if the latch on your trunk is damaged?
The trunk not closing or locking into place is the most typical sign that the latch itself is damaged. When the key is entered or the remote is activated to turn on the electric solenoid, the top trunk latch mechanism is often locked shut and difficult to open. The trunk latch housing has multiple tiny parts that, if not properly lubricated, could break, become stuck, or seize up. The only method to resolve this issue is to physically examine the interior parts of the trunk latch cover after removing the cover. While the malfunctioning component may occasionally be repaired, the mechanic will typically replace the trunk latch.
How can I tell if the latch on my trunk is broken?
When activated, a trunk lock actuator emits a unique “clicking” sound. One of the main problems with this gadget is that sometimes the motor will function, but the locking mechanism won’t. One of the many parts of a locking mechanism inside an actuator is a linkage system that, when the actuator is turned on, manually moves the lock to the open position. On rare occasions, the electronic wire attached to the linkage may come loose or the linkage itself may sustain damage. When you press the button within your car’s cab or the fob remote, the trunk lock should spring up. If it doesn’t, get in touch with a mechanic so they can figure out what’s wrong and fix it as quickly as possible.
Why won’t the trunk of my car open?
Try these techniques if your trunk won’t open to see if you can get it to do it on its own and avoid calling a locksmith. Be careful not to damage the locking mechanism while testing things out as this could require expensive repairs.
If your trunk won’t open, one of the first things you can do is give it another go. In this case, the trunk latch may have become caught as a result of dirt and debris getting lodged on it or as a result of the rubber from the trunk adhering to the lid itself. It will take extra force to open this, giving the impression that the lid is stuck. You can attempt to access your trunk from inside your car if opening it with a bit more power the second time doesn’t work.
Try opening the trunk from the inside of the car if you are unable to do so using the external lock. Use the manual release lever, which is often found on the car’s driver side. If it doesn’t work, see if you can remove or fold down the back seats to gain access to the trunk. If this is successful, you will have to squeeze yourself inside the trunk and pull the release lever to open it. It is vital to note that this procedure might not work if the trunk’s lock is damaged, in which case a trip to a service center or locksmith is necessary.
Even though you can try various do-it-yourself tricks to try and open your trunk, it’s vital to remember that some of these may wind up doing more harm to your car. In light of this, you ought to refrain from attempting to open your trunk unless you have easy access to your car. If you don’t and your keys are in the car, we strongly advise getting in touch with your auto insurance company or your automobile’s preferred servicing facility for assistance. If there is a locksmith within driving distance, you can also go to them and ask them to assist you in unlocking your car or trunk. In either case, hiring experts is still your best course of action even though their services can be pricey.
Can I drive with the trunk open?
When transporting large objects, all states let pickup truck and SUV drivers to travel with the back open as long as the objects do not protrude beyond the permitted distance. But if your truck isn’t hauling anything, it’s a different story.
Even when the bed is empty, some pickup truck owners prefer to travel with the tailgate down. The majority of governments do not restrict this practice, although a small number of them do. The laws appear to be applicable to automobile trunks, SUV hatchback doors, and truck tailgates.
According to Texas legislation, which is typical of many that prohibit driving with the trunk open, you are not allowed to operate a vehicle if the tailgate, tailboard, tarpaulin, door, fastening device, equipment, or rigging are not properly fastened to the vehicle. Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Maryland, Nebraska, and New Jersey are other states with comparable legislation.
With a dead battery, how do you open the trunk of a Toyota Camry?
Pull the lock tab up and use the outside door handle to unlock the door. Your car features a release mechanism on the right corner of the trunk that allows the trunk to be opened from the inside as a safety precaution.
Without a key, how do you open the trunk of a Toyota Corolla?
Use the trunk release lever on the driver’s side of your Toyota Corolla to open the trunk quickly and easily. Use a slim jim to get into your automobile if you’ve locked yourself out of the cabin as well. You can also call a locksmith.