Trunk release help!
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Pompano Beach, FL
Trunk release help!
Looking for some help! I’m replacing my battery and the old is removed. When I returned with the new one and went to pop the trunk manually through the key above the license plate the trunk does not pop open. I’ve tried both keys out of both fobs and used some plastic pry pieces but this thing isn’t opening. Anyone have suggestions??
update from post below: yes, I’ve tried to turn the key very hard. I can hear a slight sound of a latch or cable moving but it doesn’t release the trunk. I’ve tried pushing down to reset the latch and with 2 people, one turning while I try to pry up with some plastic tools, no success.
I was told there’s poles under the hood to jump start the car but the hood release is inside and the doors are locked. Someone else said I can jump the starter but I haven’t found info on exactly how to do that.
Anyone know how to release or gain access to the hood or door cable? Would need to confirm I can jump the car from under there too. Or maybe a secondary release for the doors somewhere?? All out of ideas on my end, thanks in advance for any help!
update from post below: yes, I’ve tried to turn the key very hard. I can hear a slight sound of a latch or cable moving but it doesn’t release the trunk. I’ve tried pushing down to reset the latch and with 2 people, one turning while I try to pry up with some plastic tools, no success.
I was told there’s poles under the hood to jump start the car but the hood release is inside and the doors are locked. Someone else said I can jump the starter but I haven’t found info on exactly how to do that.
Anyone know how to release or gain access to the hood or door cable? Would need to confirm I can jump the car from under there too. Or maybe a secondary release for the doors somewhere?? All out of ideas on my end, thanks in advance for any help!
Last edited by Stratic; Oct 23, 2021 at 08:02 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,875
Likes: 1,875
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
If the key turns real easy you are in trouble - the cable is likely disconnected.
The key should feel hard to turn, almost hard enough that you are afraid of breaking the key. Pushing down on the hatch above the latch may make the key a bit easier to turn. Yearly lubrication and testing is a good idea.
You can connect 12 V to the stater just inside of the front wheel to get enough voltage to operate the locks. There are several threads showing where to connect.
No, the connections under the hood are not adequate for jump starting the car, but are good enough to charge the battery or apply voltage to operate the locks.
GL
Ron
The key should feel hard to turn, almost hard enough that you are afraid of breaking the key. Pushing down on the hatch above the latch may make the key a bit easier to turn. Yearly lubrication and testing is a good idea.
You can connect 12 V to the stater just inside of the front wheel to get enough voltage to operate the locks. There are several threads showing where to connect.
No, the connections under the hood are not adequate for jump starting the car, but are good enough to charge the battery or apply voltage to operate the locks.
GL
Ron
Last edited by RonC7; Oct 22, 2021 at 07:42 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Pompano Beach, FL
Thanks Ron, I'll research how to access that 12V stater and hope that works! FYI: its not very difficult to turn the key for the release. A buddy sent the specs for the manual trunk release and it looks like one cable from the key fob goes into a box and then triggers the large release spring. I feel like that has come loose or is broken altogether. Appreciate the advice!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,875
Likes: 1,875
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
I can't find the thread quickly, but I did save the picture from a thread showing where to connect on the starter. You may need to remove the right front wheel. Be sure to use a jack stand or blocks if you get under the car. Never trust a jack!
See attached:
Ron
See attached:
Ron
Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 433
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Cruising
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
If the key turns real easy you are in trouble - the cable is likely disconnected.
The key should feel hard to turn, almost hard enough that you are afraid of breaking the key. Pushing down on the hatch above the latch may make the key a bit easier to turn. Yearly lubrication and testing is a good idea.
You can connect 12 V to the stater just inside of the front wheel to get enough voltage to operate the locks. There are several threads showing where to connect.
No, the connections under the hood are not adequate for jump starting the car, but are good enough to charge the battery or apply voltage to operate the locks.
GL
Ron
The key should feel hard to turn, almost hard enough that you are afraid of breaking the key. Pushing down on the hatch above the latch may make the key a bit easier to turn. Yearly lubrication and testing is a good idea.
You can connect 12 V to the stater just inside of the front wheel to get enough voltage to operate the locks. There are several threads showing where to connect.
No, the connections under the hood are not adequate for jump starting the car, but are good enough to charge the battery or apply voltage to operate the locks.
GL
Ron
hey ron i have the same problem except my batter isnt dead. Looks like the previous owner i bought the car from did not connect the cable when installing a new bumper and now i dont know how to open the trunk. I tried manually opening and everything with key fob. Any ideas?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 388
Likes: 213
From: RI
This is 100% not a design flaw, this is a unique situation where the counter measures have apparently been disabled.
If it is true that the cable has been disconnected, you are much more likely to have luck trying to power the system back up enough to energize the lock cylinders.
Once you solve the issue, be sure to put in the extra work to get that cable hooked up again. Good luck. Hope the starter hook up idea above does the trick.
Final "note to self" leave window down at very least if you are going to remove battery and close doors, hatch and hood. Best probably to leave all things cracked ajar in this odd situation.
If it is true that the cable has been disconnected, you are much more likely to have luck trying to power the system back up enough to energize the lock cylinders.
Once you solve the issue, be sure to put in the extra work to get that cable hooked up again. Good luck. Hope the starter hook up idea above does the trick.
Final "note to self" leave window down at very least if you are going to remove battery and close doors, hatch and hood. Best probably to leave all things cracked ajar in this odd situation.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,875
Likes: 1,875
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
C7jeo
I SEE YOU STARTED ANOTHER THREAD THAT STATED "BUTTON WAS DISCONNECTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER". You should have included this info in post above.
C7jeo - if your door locks work and other electrical stuff works, will the car start? A running car should assure full voltage. The hatch should open from the dash button, rear button near the license plate, or fob. Try pushing down or pulling up a bit on the hatch when you push a button. If the buttons or fob won't open the hatch with the motor running then you probably have a latch or electrical issue.
Also note that fob batteries should be replaced about every 3 years with good, fresh batteries that measure above 3 volts. Not likely your issue at this time, but good to know.
GL
Ron
I SEE YOU STARTED ANOTHER THREAD THAT STATED "BUTTON WAS DISCONNECTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER". You should have included this info in post above.
C7jeo - if your door locks work and other electrical stuff works, will the car start? A running car should assure full voltage. The hatch should open from the dash button, rear button near the license plate, or fob. Try pushing down or pulling up a bit on the hatch when you push a button. If the buttons or fob won't open the hatch with the motor running then you probably have a latch or electrical issue.
Also note that fob batteries should be replaced about every 3 years with good, fresh batteries that measure above 3 volts. Not likely your issue at this time, but good to know.
GL
Ron
Last edited by RonC7; May 10, 2022 at 09:51 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 457
Likes: 191
From: Knoxville TN
C7jeo
I SEE YOU STARTED ANOTHER THREAD THAT STATED "BUTTON WAS DISCONNECTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER". You should have included this info in post above.
C7jeo - if your door locks work and other electrical stuff works, will the car start? A running car should assure full voltage. The hatch should open from the dash button, rear button near the license plate, or fob. Try pushing down or pulling up a bit on the hatch when you push a button. If the buttons or fob won't open the hatch with the motor running then you probably have a latch or electrical issue.
Also note that fob batteries should be replaced about every 3 years with good, fresh batteries that measure above 3 volts. Not likely your issue at this time, but good to know.
GL
Ron
I SEE YOU STARTED ANOTHER THREAD THAT STATED "BUTTON WAS DISCONNECTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER". You should have included this info in post above.
C7jeo - if your door locks work and other electrical stuff works, will the car start? A running car should assure full voltage. The hatch should open from the dash button, rear button near the license plate, or fob. Try pushing down or pulling up a bit on the hatch when you push a button. If the buttons or fob won't open the hatch with the motor running then you probably have a latch or electrical issue.
Also note that fob batteries should be replaced about every 3 years with good, fresh batteries that measure above 3 volts. Not likely your issue at this time, but good to know.
GL
Ron
Cruising
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
C7jeo
I SEE YOU STARTED ANOTHER THREAD THAT STATED "BUTTON WAS DISCONNECTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER". You should have included this info in post above.
C7jeo - if your door locks work and other electrical stuff works, will the car start? A running car should assure full voltage. The hatch should open from the dash button, rear button near the license plate, or fob. Try pushing down or pulling up a bit on the hatch when you push a button. If the buttons or fob won't open the hatch with the motor running then you probably have a latch or electrical issue.
Also note that fob batteries should be replaced about every 3 years with good, fresh batteries that measure above 3 volts. Not likely your issue at this time, but good to know.
GL
Ron
I SEE YOU STARTED ANOTHER THREAD THAT STATED "BUTTON WAS DISCONNECTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER". You should have included this info in post above.
C7jeo - if your door locks work and other electrical stuff works, will the car start? A running car should assure full voltage. The hatch should open from the dash button, rear button near the license plate, or fob. Try pushing down or pulling up a bit on the hatch when you push a button. If the buttons or fob won't open the hatch with the motor running then you probably have a latch or electrical issue.
Also note that fob batteries should be replaced about every 3 years with good, fresh batteries that measure above 3 volts. Not likely your issue at this time, but good to know.
GL
Ron
I recently purchased a 2017 c7 grand sport. The previous owned mentioned to me that he is tall and fisconnected the trunk because he would accidently hit the trunk button often.
now ive been trying to open the trunk because my logic is if my battery dies one day i wont be able to open my car at all.
ive tried manually opening it with the key on the back on the car but it does not open. I have been trying to find a way to open it but cant find any other way to do so.
i also decided to remove the entire back bumper to connect the trunk back but in irder to remove the rear bumper i have to have the trunk open.
anyone have any ideas what to do? My battery hasnt died yet but if it does i wont be able to open the car at all because in order to open the front door the latch is in the trunk from my understanding.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,875
Likes: 1,875
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
There are 2 fuses in the rear fuse block labelled Trunk release module & Trunk release module latch (fuse numbers change year to year - look in owner's manual) that may need checked - of course you need to open the rear hatch to access...
Does the key turn easy with no resistance? Probable cable issue.
Does the key turn hard - afraid of breaking the key? Normal, need to turn 60 degrees or so. Push down or pull up on the hatch. Lubricate lock with graphite, weather strip with rubber protectant..
Ron
Does the key turn easy with no resistance? Probable cable issue.
Does the key turn hard - afraid of breaking the key? Normal, need to turn 60 degrees or so. Push down or pull up on the hatch. Lubricate lock with graphite, weather strip with rubber protectant..
Ron
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,626
Likes: 24,868
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 '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
@Stratic I know this is an old thread, but what did you come up with as a solution to your trunk not opening? Please post up what happened.