I don't seem to have an external trunk release. I must use either the interior switch, the fob or the key. I have read the manual, I know where it's supposed to be, I have watched it demonstrated on other cars, I have the rubber covered switch area adjacent to the key...but theres nothing there !!. There's no fuses in the car for it or anything else....am I supposed to have this option ? Since I don't, does anyone know how I can get it installed ?. I have the 1SA and 1SB packages. I can't see it listed anywhere...weird !

 

Are you the original owner? Otherwise, it's possible it was removed . . . but it's just a rubber covered button under the lip at the top of the license plate.

Since the tail of the car seems to aerodynamically suck dirt to the back of the car, it's entirely possible the button has quit working as others have reported.

If there's simply no black button, you can probably order one from the dealer and fish the wires out of the rear facia - - or simply live without.

Good luck -

 

It should be there. All C6's are suppose to have it. Take it to your dealer and have them look at it. Maybe it is there, but not working.

 

It's not an option. The button is standard on all Corvettes.

Mine is a little slow sometimes. Have you tried pushing it and holding it in for a few seconds?

 

I can't see ANYWHERE where an "exterior trunk release" is supposed to be there. I see a "trunk release with pull down option" but that refers to the one adjacent to the gas cover release...I took it to the dealer and they told me that a "lot of these" are like that...so I am now getting really curious about this. If I'm supposed to have one...then I will make them put one in...and they seem to be pretty good guys and probably would...but I can't see where I am supposed to have one...

Other wise..I'm stuck with having it installed "aftermarket".

I have stood there and held it...can anyone tell me how to disassemble that area and physically look in there. I can't seem to find it in the forums...probably entering the wrong search terms..I enter "2005 C6 Exterior trunk release" and it gets me all kinds of stuff but nothing on how to get in there.

 

So you are saying that you have nothing at all on your car? This was not an option, it is standard on all Corvettes. It isn't a cable, it is nothing more than just a rubber covered switch. It is the button that you can see in this photo to the right of the key slot?

 

Talon 90 - No sir..I have that rubber button...but nothing appears to be attached to it and I don't know how to get inside it. The dealer told me "There's nothing there and I don't have one". I just came back inside from looking at it for the 1000th time...I can even feel some type of "mechanism" while I gently push the button...but I can't see inside it so I have no idea...and I have no fuses for a trunk release.

 

Sounds like your button just doesn't work at all. It seems to be a common problem.

On my car the button seems to work about 50% of the time.

 

Stop looking for a fuse, there isn't one. It is part of the remote control door lock system, there is not a separate fuse for the rear hatch. Please stop listening to your dealer. You have the switch, it is likely just dirty. The mechanism you feel is the switch. There is nothing more than a momentary contact under the rubber skin that when you press the rubber button it closes the contacts and allows the hatch to release. They are prone to failure from lack of use and contamination.

When you press the button do you have your fob in your pocket? It will not work with out the fob within 30 inches of the rear of the car.

Try setting your emergency brake and try the switch.

If neither of these things works the contacts are probably dirty from lack of use.

You can get to the switch by removing the right side innermost tail light.

The switch is located just above the rear license plate and is accessed by removing the passenger side tail light closer to the emblem. The tail light simply removes with one screw (T15 torx head).

Test
(If you want to test (have your FOB with you) to see if this will fix your non working button. Reach in and remove the harness (pull back retainer towards the rear and lift out harness) from the switch and press it back in. If the hatch opens when you reconnect the harness the switch is stuck in and the procedure below should correct it, if it does not open the hatch you have other issues. The button is a momentary contact switch)

With the harness removed, press the two clips on the top of the switch (you can feel them) and the switch drops down.

Remove the rubber cap from the switch by just pealing it back with your fingers. I found dust and sand in mine.

Attach a strong tape (electrical, duct or masking tape) to the button head only and pull out the button. Looking up inside you will see a rubber button that contains the contacts. There is no need to remove this since it’s the button that was stuck on mine most likely due to dust / dirt and water. Clean it well using a small paint brush and reassemble. I would not use any oils or grease since this will attract more dirt. Since the switch has no return spring it relies on the rubber inside button returning the removable button and any dirt offers enough resistance to make the button stick.

 

Talon 90...I am printing your reply and am headed to the garage to try these things...I will let you know. Thank You very much for your assistance. Lord..I hope you are right...this is driving me a bit nuts

 

What Talon said... you HAVE to have your fob with you when you press the button -- it doesn't work if the fob isn't nearby.

Cheers,
Kent

 

I understand that...the fob is about 1" away on all the things I am doing. Also, it is a brand new fob with a brand new battery. It works everywhere else on the vehicle. Going out to take this thing apart.

 

Talon 90...I have my trunk release apart..sort of. I am unable to get the cylinder that seems to be attached to the rubber switch out. I got the harness out and I got the small rubber mounted contact out. There is an additional cylinder in there that has something (an actuator) that moves up and down in inside it. Whatever it is moves very sluggishly (as though impeded by something). I need to get to that and see what the impediment is. BTW...once the contact switch and harness are removed from the cylinder...the exterior release works. When remounted...it works once and then stops...I suspect because of whatever object is impeding the flow of the "actuator" inside the cylinder. Your post mentions a photo...ummm...could I prevail on you to send me that ...or post it here. Thank You

 

If you have some contact cleaner you could spray some in there and just reassemble the switch except the outside rubber cover. Work the switch up and down until it stops sticking. The stuck switch is your problem. It should return freely.

I'll put up some photos when I get home. I don't have access to any here at the office.

 

I don't think you want/need to mess with that. It is spring loaded for the return and you should feel resistance. Check post #4 in this thread (and other good info as well for later reading):

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...n-failure.html

 

Talon 90 and Rick T. THANK YOU !!! After I figured out how to get the rubber switch out, I did both...it didn't free up the binding so what I did was gently scrape the sides of the actuator switch (it's plastic) with an xacto blade. A couple of swipes on each side and it was sliding just fine. I didn't use any lubricants and reassembled it. It works great...THANKS AGAIN..Talon 90..if you are EVER up Tacoma, WA way...please PM me. You have mammoth amounts of beer and beef coming your way....now, I have a dealership to see....and I don't think they will like me to much afterwards.

 

No beer for me?!!!

 

Sure Rick T...but Talon 90 gets the steak....LOL..My thanks to all of you that provided input. The lesson I learned here is that dealerships aren't necessarily on your side...hmmmm. Thanks again one and all...problem resolved.

 

You are very welcome! Happy to help. I just might take you up on that offer. Beer and beef sounds pretty damn good to me.



Don't worry Rick, I'll buy you a beer.

 

What do I have to do to get the proper reward? I'm tired of playing 2nd string to Talon!


Glad you got it worked out "relatively" easily.