C5 trunk won't open
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: California
C5 trunk won't open
Hello everyone. I have a 1998 convertible C5. About a month ago the trunk wont open from the dash. It rained real hard here and got the passenger floor wet and sent out a bunch of crazy codes. Would not start and finally got it started again. But the trunk wont open. Have read on here what might be the problem. So I checked the the Tonneau switch, unhooked it and hit the new FOB I just bought and programmed for my C5. I heard 3 chimes. put it back together and don't hear them with the top up and on. I hear nothing when I either hit the FOB or the dash button for the trunk. The new FOB locks/unlocks the doors. I looked for a little cable in the trunk (climbed in) and could not find one. I checked the fuse on number 26 it is good. been at this for a few days now all help will be thanked
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
The cable doesn't extend under the seat. You have to climb in the trunk. It's in the center of the very rear, in the trunk, between the tailights under the trim material. It has a plastic tab on the end that says trunk release. That will get it open, but probably won't fix the electric release.
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From the '98 Owner's Manual:
If your vehicle is equipped with a convertible top and
you have lost battery power, use the manual release
cable to open the trunk lid. To access the cable, remove
the center access panel located in the rear of the trunk
area. (See “Storage Compartments” in the Index for
more information.)
Pull the cable straight down to release the trunk lid.
If your vehicle is equipped with a convertible top and
you have lost battery power, use the manual release
cable to open the trunk lid. To access the cable, remove
the center access panel located in the rear of the trunk
area. (See “Storage Compartments” in the Index for
more information.)
Pull the cable straight down to release the trunk lid.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
From the manual:
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
(Convertible Only)
Notice: The emergency trunk release handle is not
designed to be used to tie down the trunk lid or
as an anchor point when securing items in the trunk.
Improper use of the emergency trunk reiease
handle could damage it.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the rear wall of the trunk below
the latch. This handle will glow following exposure to
light. Pu!l the release handle down to open the
trunk from the inside.
On the convertible it is not in the storage compartment, it's as I described before.
It's on the rear center wall of the trunk and has a plastic glow in the dark t handle that says trunk release. On the coupe, it's in the center storage compartment and it's a cable with a ball on the end.
Mine's a 2003, maybe it's located in different places for different years, but it's there if you can get to it. Again, you'll still need to figure out why your button and fob aren't releasing the trunk. Sounds like power is not getting to the release. Sorry, but I don't know the function of the BCM in releasing the trunk and I don't have a wiring diagram. Maybe someone who does will post one.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
(Convertible Only)
Notice: The emergency trunk release handle is not
designed to be used to tie down the trunk lid or
as an anchor point when securing items in the trunk.
Improper use of the emergency trunk reiease
handle could damage it.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the rear wall of the trunk below
the latch. This handle will glow following exposure to
light. Pu!l the release handle down to open the
trunk from the inside.
On the convertible it is not in the storage compartment, it's as I described before.
It's on the rear center wall of the trunk and has a plastic glow in the dark t handle that says trunk release. On the coupe, it's in the center storage compartment and it's a cable with a ball on the end.
Mine's a 2003, maybe it's located in different places for different years, but it's there if you can get to it. Again, you'll still need to figure out why your button and fob aren't releasing the trunk. Sounds like power is not getting to the release. Sorry, but I don't know the function of the BCM in releasing the trunk and I don't have a wiring diagram. Maybe someone who does will post one.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Dec 27, 2012 at 12:49 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 989
Likes: 8
From: Chino Ca.
Have you tried the key. Put it in the door and twist three times.
Once to unlock the driver's door.
Twice to unlock the driver's and passenger's door.
Three times to unlock the driver's and passenger's door, and the trunk.
.
Once to unlock the driver's door.
Twice to unlock the driver's and passenger's door.
Three times to unlock the driver's and passenger's door, and the trunk.
.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: California
Thanks guys I got it open. There is no T-handle on it and it is in the back center behind the fabric trim to hide the tail lights. I got it, drilled a lil hole like the pic with the T-handle tied a string to it under the carpet and to the drivers side seat. I will trace down why it will not open when it's stops raining out here. Time to see why my wipers stopped in the middle and will not run. But that is for another thread lol. I replaced it 2 yrs ago and cut the tips off the utters. OK guys thanks again
PS yes DIXZ I tied that yesterday and again this morning
PS yes DIXZ I tied that yesterday and again this morning
Last edited by brothertime; Dec 27, 2012 at 03:57 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
Thanks guys I got it open. There is no T-handle on it and it is in the back center behind the fabric trim to hide the tail lights. I got it, drilled a lil hole like the pic with the T-handle tied a string to it under the carpet and to the drivers side seat. I will trace down why it will not open when it's stops raining out here. Time to see why my wipers stopped in the middle and will not run. But that is for another thread lol. I replaced it 2 yrs ago and cut the tips off the utters. OK guys thanks again
PS yes DIXZ I tied that yesterday and again this morning
PS yes DIXZ I tied that yesterday and again this morning
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: California
OK I pulled #10 fuse and looked at it and put it back in, upside down let's say. Now it works fine. I had cleared the codes before this and it didn't help. They say no rain here next week. So maybe I will get a chance to look at it.