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My trunk will not open in my Z06. I push button on key fob and release button on dash and I can hear the mechanism, but the trunk will not open. I have tried to push down on the trunk lid hoping that might do something but to no avail. I also have a partition between the trunk and cockpit. Does anyone have any ideas? Thank you and save the wave!
Sometimes if you open the door and trigger the trunk release, then slam the door closed with the window up, the air pressure will push the trunk lid up.
Trunk lids on the FRC don't pop very well.
The other alternative is to use one of those plastic trim pry tools to go through the body gap and pry the lid up, but you can gouge the paint.
Where is the inside release cable? I’ve also heard about a key cylinder near the license plate, but I have even removed the license plate bracket/reverse light fixture and found nothing there or near the license plate lights above the license plate. I have also pulled up carpet behind the driver’s seat waterfall and found nothing there either. I have crawled inside the rear and removed the flat repair case and found nothing there or in the other cubby on the driver’s side. Any other ideas?
This isn't a cable problem, its a "pop" problem. You can lube your latch with silicone lube and it may help, but the issue is the spring in the latch that provides the "pop" isn't strong enough
This is a very rudimentary solution, but it's a solution: Trunk Pop Assist
The trunk latch release cable hangs down toward the bottom-front of the mechanism. To access it you'll likely have to pull the carpet out from the back wall (the top of the carpet is also tucked a bit underneath the lip below the trunk weatherstrip), and after pulling it toward the front of the car you'll be able to find/feel for the cable.
Just the other day I snapped a photo from my sound insulation project where you can kinda see the cable:
Also I poked a small hole through the carpet to bring out the release cable (though afterwards I mostly tucked it back in to the carpet). This shows another view of the cable's location:
There's supposed to be a thin metal cable that exits the center latch from the passenger side, about 15" long measured from the latch. Here's a picture of the latch facing the rear of the car. You can slso use a screwdriver to release the latch in that black slotted spot in the center of the picture. Disregard the bright aluminum parts in the picture, I added them for a trunk pull down.
I have found the cable and got the trunk open.i then shut the trunk to see if it will open again, it won’t. So my issue is something is still impeding the latch from popping. I do have the pop spring installed also. Possibly something is bent or not moving enough to allow the trunk lid to pop.???
Is the engine off? If the engine is on, you need to have the parking brake set. If you have a parking brake switch issue and the "BRAKE" light doesn't illuminate on the dash, the trunk won't pop with engine on
Sometimes if you open the door and trigger the trunk release, then slam the door closed with the window up, the air pressure will push the trunk lid up.
Trunk lids on the FRC don't pop very well.
On my Z06, shutting the door firmly as you described would push the trunk lip up enough, that I never changed the struts.
That didn't work so well on my convertible so new struts cured the problem.
I've replaced my gas struts and added the extra pop spring. My trunk will open, but not very well. My issue is that I have a trunk lid liner that adds extra weight. I would remove it, but the installation process scraped up the underside of the trunk lid. It's not that hard to get it open though.
Mine releases but doesn’t always pop. I’ve lubed the hinges and added a spring, but it still sticks. I haven’t considered changing the struts. If I can’t get my fingers in there to lift it, I just usually stick my key in the gap to get it to start to come up. My windows are usually down so I’ve never tried the door closing trick.
The small but strong spring at the top of the latch (see photo above) is what does the heavy lifting when the latch solenoid is energized. If that's ok check the latch opening to trunk lid staple alignment, if they are off too much it will cause binding which increases the force the spring has to overcome. The two latch fasteners are where this alignment is done. Also, the latch internal parts need to move freely and not bind up from old grease or dirt.
Last edited by Fast one; May 16, 2026 at 10:01 AM.
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Originally Posted by arthursc2
C5 doesn't have a key release, thats a C6 thing
This isn't a cable problem, its a "pop" problem. You can lube your latch with silicone lube and it may help, but the issue is the spring in the latch that provides the "pop" isn't strong enough
This is a very rudimentary solution, but it's a solution: Trunk Pop Assist
Yep - a common way to help when the stock parts do not do the job.
if all else fails use some type of suction cup. After you get it open oil the hinge joints.
Trunk won’t open
