C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

C5 Convertible Trunk will not close?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 18, 2023 | 01:48 PM
  #1  
5oneill's Avatar
5oneill
Thread Starter
5th Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Zeeland MI
Default C5 Convertible Trunk will not close?

I have a 2001 trunk on my convertible that will not shut sometimes.
I have opened the door to release the vacuum on it and even with the top down it will not shut.
It sometimes happens and sometimes doesn't.
I have noticed in colder weather it happens more often?

Any help or suggestions would be helpful.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2023 | 01:53 PM
  #2  
Vader_C5's Avatar
Vader_C5
Melting Slicks
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 1,425
From: New Jersey
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '25
Default

Did you check the rubber grommets on the lid itself eachside of it?
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2023 | 02:04 PM
  #3  
MWWarlord's Avatar
MWWarlord
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,563
Likes: 3,304
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Default

Check to make sure there are no obstructions. From there, you can adjust the actual latch. There are screws that can be loosened. Once this is done you can shift the latch into a good position where it will engage. Then retighten the screws. This would also be a good time to lubricate the hinges as well. Good luck!
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2023 | 02:10 PM
  #4  
5oneill's Avatar
5oneill
Thread Starter
5th Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Zeeland MI
Default Nothing obstucting the lid

Originally Posted by Vader_C5
Did you check the rubber grommets on the lid itself eachside of it?
Thanks for this but at this time nothing is obstructing the trunk from closing.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2023 | 02:23 PM
  #5  
yellow2007's Avatar
yellow2007
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,183
From: Conyers Georgia
Default

You may have worn struts. Try disconnecting them and see how the trunk closes
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2023 | 02:58 PM
  #6  
MWWarlord's Avatar
MWWarlord
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,563
Likes: 3,304
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Default

While worn struts is certainly a very common issue, they typically make it harder to open the trunk rather than close it. When the struts wear, they become easier to compress, not harder.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2023 | 06:04 AM
  #7  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,968
Likes: 24,705
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Moved to C5 Tech.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2023 | 11:32 AM
  #8  
Dads2kconvertible's Avatar
Dads2kconvertible
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
Default

Try posting some photos of the latching mechanisms on the lid and in the trunk, and maybe one of the lid resting in the closed-but-not-latched position.
Maybe someone can spot something off.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 19, 2023 | 02:05 PM
  #9  
3sACROWD's Avatar
3sACROWD
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
Default

Can you provide a little more detail? What do you mean will not close? (The lid lowers but will not enter the latch or the lid lowers and enters the latch but the latch won't engage or the lid binds and doesn't even come close to closing.)
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2023 | 02:38 PM
  #10  
5oneill's Avatar
5oneill
Thread Starter
5th Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Zeeland MI
Default

Originally Posted by 3sACROWD
Can you provide a little more detail? What do you mean will not close? (The lid lowers but will not enter the latch or the lid lowers and enters the latch but the latch won't engage or the lid binds and doesn't even come close to closing.)
I have narrowed it down to the fact that early in the morning the latch will not grab and hold. so when it warms up later in the day it closed and is secure. not sure if it has to do with the grease getting gummed up or something but it only happens when its chilly or cold?

Reply
Old Aug 18, 2023 | 07:56 PM
  #11  
grinder11's Avatar
grinder11
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 4,661
Default

Originally Posted by yellow2007
You may have worn struts. Try disconnecting them and see how the trunk closes
Or, perhaps someone has installed an off brand, or incorrect length of strut that may be slightly longer that the correct length strut. If so, it could bottom out, and could be causing the trunk lid to not travel far enough to latch in some situations.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2023 | 06:50 AM
  #12  
bsn5440's Avatar
bsn5440
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 8
Default

Grease gets hard over time-it also get harder when temps drop. Try penetrating oil on the latch then manually close the latch with the trunk open use the remote to open it do that a few times with some penetrating oil each sequence. Then grease the assembly and you should be good for another 20 years.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C5 Convertible Trunk will not close?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:13 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE