My 2017 Optima Hybrid’s trunk recently stopped locking; it appears the latch gave out after being in use for 5 years. I chose to go OEM after looking around for replacements and reading reviews on those on Amazon. Fortunately, one of the local dealerships had the part. I made a video of the removal and replacement procedure and am posting it here so that the community may access it in case theirs breaks and they need to repair it.
In This Article...
Why won’t my trunk latch operate?
When you press the inside trunk release button on the fob or the trunk lock actuator and nothing happens, this is another common clue that there is a problem. This could be a sign of a problem with the vehicle’s battery or with the electronics connecting to the actuator, such as a shorted fuse or wire. Since there are numerous potential issues that could result in this problem, it is recommended to get in touch with a nearby mechanic so they can accurately diagnose and resolve the problem as soon as possible.
Can I drive with the trunk open?
When transporting a new couch or bed frame that doesn’t quite fit inside your car, overhang laws apply as long as it doesn’t hang out excessively. With the same restrictions as vehicle tailgates, SUV owners are allowed to leave the hatch door open. The legality of driving with your trunk door open depends on what state you are in and how far the object extends out of the back, just like with a tailgate or hatch.
Each state establishes its own regulations about the maximum allowable overhang, and many of them also specify how the overhang must be marked. According to rules established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), vehicles may have a minimum front, rear, and side overhang of up to 3 feet, 4 feet, and 4 inches. All states are required to allow this amount of overhang, though they are free to allow even more, which many do. For instance, Washington only permits a maximum of 15 feet.
The majority of states follow the fundamental federal overhang regulations, which call for a 3 foot front and 4 foot rear overhang. However, Colorado permits a 10-foot overhang in the rear, Arizona, Maryland, and Delaware allow a 6-foot overhang in the back, and North Dakota, Nevada, and both allow a 10-foot overhang in the front and the back.
For particular circumstances, other states have created substantially different legislation. For instance, Florida permits trucks transporting cars, boats, or trees to have an overall overhang of 10 feet in the back and 9 feet in the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, some states, like California, measure the overhang from the nearest axle, whilst others measure it from the bumper tip, further complicating issues.
Knowing the overhang laws in your state is advantageous because breaking them could result in a traffic citation.
How can I tell if the latch on my 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.
Can a locksmith fix the latch on a trunk?
My trunk won’t open, you find yourself yelling into the ether, but what happens next? The fact that you at least thought it necessary to look for a solution to help resolve your issue shows that you are on the correct track. I am quite aware of how aggravating it can be to deal with anything even slightly connected to a car lockout, and regrettably being unable to access your trunk comes into this category. Most individuals don’t give their car trunks or trunk locks much thought until they find themselves suddenly unable to access one.
Your trunk might not open in some circumstances because you left your keys inside, or it might be due to a problem with the trunk lock itself. Whatever the cause of the trunk lockout, the situation still prevents you from successfully opening your trunk. I want to take a moment to explain some of the causes of your trunk not opening before I begin the adventure of teaching you what to do when you are locked out of your trunk. Knowing this will significantly reduce the likelihood that anything similar will occur again.
Locked Keys In Trunk
The first problem is quite simple, and the majority of locksmiths deal with it frequently. I want to reassure you that you did not misunderstand the subheading if you believe you did. Some motorists occasionally make the error of locking their car keys in the trunk, which frequently results in their being locked out of the entire vehicle. I have to admit that I’ve experienced it before. Because they believe they will never lock themselves out of their trunk by leaving the keys in the trunk, many people are quick to reject this.
Unfortunately, until anything happens to them, most people don’t believe in some things. Sincerely, it only takes a fraction of a second to lock your keys in the trunk and realize that you can’t open the trunk. To remedy this issue, there are a few very simple options that can be investigated, although not all of them are assured to succeed. Below, I’ll go over these options in more detail.
Best Practice for Unlocking Keys in a Trunk:
You can typically retrieve keys that have been locked in the trunk once the car is opened. To utilize the manual trunk unlock or unlock the entire car, all you need to do is open one door and the car. Every lock on your car should be unlocked by pressing the unlock button on the door.
Broken Trunk Lock
In addition to locking your car keys within the trunk, a broken lock will also prevent the trunk from opening. That typically indicates that the lock is damaged or has some other flaw that prevents it from working as it was designed. This might be as a result of problems with the trunk latch, trunk lock, or other internal mechanisms that once allowed the lock to function properly.
This may be the result of the lock simply wearing out in some vehicles or it may be the result of the lock being damaged by an external force. For many motorists, a damaged trunk lock frequently coexists with a damaged car key or a car key extraction. A car trunk lock may become damaged by being yanked or yanked too hard, or it may become damaged from lack of maintenance. Many drivers might find it beneficial to know this while they continue to maintain their vehicles.
The Best Advice For Broken Trunk Locks
The trunk must be opened in order to replace or maintain the lock, whether the issue is with the lock cylinder or the lock assembly. Even if you have replacement parts, it may still be advantageous to have a professional locksmith there to open the trunk and solve the problem.
Non-Responsive Key Fob
Because many of the older automobile models don’t employ transponder keys, older car owners typically don’t have to deal with this problem. Classic cars, however, have their own security concerns to address. In essence, a key fob is utilized to manage particular remote car activities. It seems pretty simple, right? This fob is in charge of interacting with a certain vehicle and transmitting data and signals that translate to a specific action being taken by the driver’s vehicle.
For instance, pressing a button on your key fob may assist in starting the automobile or unlocking the car door. However, there is a good chance that you won’t be able to open your trunk if you try to do so if your key fob has not been properly configured. It also means that if you do not have a mechanical key on hand to assist you access your automobile and physically operate any of its systems, you will probably be left trapped in a lockout.
In order for your key and your automobile to interact with one another and carry out certain tasks for your vehicle, they must be connected through programming. Additionally, if the batteries on your key fob are dead, your car won’t respond to commands from it.
As with anything else, there may be additional variables that prevent you from opening your automobile trunk in addition to those listed above. The reasons mentioned above are simply a few of the situations in which you might find yourself stating, “My trunk won’t open.” Let’s go right to the steps you need to take after realizing your trunk won’t open.
Top Tip For Key Fobs That Aren’t Responsive:
You can check to see if your trunk can be opened manually if you have a keyed cylinder. Additionally, if you find that the issue is with your remote, always attempt replacing the batteries before thinking about obtaining a new remote.
Is it permitted to drive in California with the tailgate down?
It is allowed in California. Like naskie mentioned, you need a red flag or something visibly noticeable to designate anything sticking out past the tailgate.
Driving with the tailgate down is prohibited in Georgia.
According to OCGA 40-6-248, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a load inside or on top of it unless the load is properly fastened to prevent it from falling or shifting into the road. Any driver who violates this Code section by operating a vehicle will be charged with a misdemeanor.
What attaches to the trunk latch?
To safely close the trunk of your car, use the trunk latch, which is affixed to the bottom of the car. It shields your belongings from the weather and is watertight. Because some cars have trunks that can be opened and closed with the touch of a button or the key module, certain cars include modules, fuses, and batteries in the trunk area. The latch is essential to the running of your car because of this.
Depending on the make and model of your car, trunk locks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. A metal hook, motors and sensors, or a locking device in the center of your trunk can serve as the latch. Your trunk latch has to be replaced if any of these componentssuch as the hook brakes, a motor that breaks, or the locking mechanismis not functioning properly. To prevent any other issues with your vehicle, have a qualified mechanic replace the broken trunk latch.
Since the majority of contemporary trunk locks are constructed of metal and electrical components, they are prone to malfunction or wear out with time. While some might last the entire life of your car, others might need to be replaced. When the latch needs to be repositioned, a trunk latch adjustment may be necessary. If this is the situation, it might not be necessary to replace the latch.
It’s crucial to recognize the signs of a trunk latch failing before it’s too late because they can deteriorate, become bad, and even collapse over time.
The following are indicators that it’s time to repair your trunk latch:
It is unsafe to put off this repair since once the trunk starts to malfunction, you never know when it will pop open or remain open.