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If the trunk latch does not open because of battery depletion, you can still easily get inside a '23 without the trunk lock cylinder. Use the fob key to open the driver door, and pull the cable release for the frunk under the dash near the steering column. From there remove the cover and and jump start or put a charger on the battery.
Thus, there's no need for "remote battery posts." There have been several reported cases of latch failure unrelated to a discharged battery.
Would it make sense to have remote battery posts accessible from outside the car? Something like this:
[snip]
The current issue is trying to solve for the 2023 C8 lack of emergency trunk release (scenario is broken solenoid, so battery power is not the issue here).
The cables solutions being suggested are to mechanically release the trunk latch - independent of battery power
And the 'frunk' solution described in previous post addresses the dead battery access.
If the trunk latch does not open because of battery depletion, you can still easily get inside a '23 without the trunk lock cylinder. Use the fob key to open the driver door, and pull the cable release for the frunk under the dash near the steering column. From there remove the cover and and jump start or put a charger on the battery.
Thus, there's no need for "remote battery posts." There have been several reported cases of latch failure.
Yep, my failure with my 2020 last year was due to a bad solenoid electrical connection. Used the key a number of times waiting for the part as did the Dealer Tech. It was hard to turn, but not that hard!
Saw one other post shortly after my failure where the person had a similar electrical issue and the dealer tech had the cable break when turning the key. The dealer was giving him a hard time saying GM may not cover because their tech found sand on his floor matts and he admitted being at the beach! They called GM who said they would have to drill the "3" hole and a GM tech would visit to assure the car had not been in water! He may NOT approve a warranty claim and the owner had to take the risk! Never posted the final result!
I spoke to both Harlan Charles and an engineering manager at "Corvettes at Carlisle" this morning. The engineering guy was very familiar with the controversy here. He did say there was an easy solution that did not involve cutting holes in the rear deck or trunk lid. He took me over to the cut-away car in their tent, and showed how one could pull back one corner of the rear fender liner, and using a "slim jim lockout tool" grab the child escape cable. I'm not quite sure how that would work with the trunk tub in the way, but that's what he said, and that "a mechanic could do it in 5 minutes, and no drilling is necessary."
If I had a '23, I'd just install the cable I mentioned in a thread here somewhere, attached to the trunk escape handle with a loop sticking through the fender well in the same area the engineer referred to today. That would be an easier way of doing what the engineer described.
Neither had a good explanation of the "cutting holes" service bulletin that's been widely published, but the engineer did say we're supposed to have a group that knocks down these things on the internet, but that that doesn't happen very often.
Both Harlan and the engineer said the key lock cylinder was a "leftover" from C7, and they simply no longer felt it was necessary. I suppose this is partially good news that cutting holes apparently is no longer the approved method for replacing a failed trunk latch.
I spoke to both Harlan Charles and an engineering manager at "Corvettes at Carlisle" this morning. The engineering guy was very familiar with the controversy here. He did say there was an easy solution that did not involve cutting holes in the rear deck or trunk lid. He took me over to the cut-away car in their tent, and showed how one could pull back one corner of the rear fender liner, and using a "slim jim lockout tool" grab the child escape cable. I'm not quite sure how that would work with the trunk tub in the way, but that's what he said, and that "a mechanic could do it in 5 minutes, and no drilling is necessary."
If I had a '23, I'd just install the cable I mentioned in a thread here somewhere, attached to the trunk escape handle with a loop sticking through the fender well in the same area the engineer referred to today. That would be an easier way of doing what the engineer described.
Neither had a good explanation of the "cutting holes" service bulletin that's been widely published, but the engineer did say we're supposed to have a group that knocks down these things on the internet, but that that doesn't happen very often.
Both Harlan and the engineer said the key lock cylinder was a "leftover" from C7, and they simply no longer felt it was necessary. I suppose this is partially good news that cutting holes apparently is no longer the approved method for replacing a failed trunk latch.
I am having a hard time picturing how you would get past the trunk liner unless the fender liner is the trunk liner. I also don't understand what he meant by having a group knocking this down on the internet. This started with the bulletin being published on the internet. If there is now a better way to access the trunk then a new bulleting should be released. Or was he saying the bulletin was a fake started on the internet?
Yes, there are a lot of gaps in the account I gave above that I don't understand either, and I simply don't have an explanation. However, the tent was jam-packed, and I didn't think it was appropriate for me to do a full "cross-examination." I could tell Harlan was a bit exasperated that I asked in the first place. The engineering manager was very nice about it. I did ask twice about the bulletin, and Harlan said, that must have been issued for something else. I decided not to challenge him. It has to be frustrating for these guys sometimes, with all the questions they get, and I'm just impressed that they consistently show up.
In short, I simply reported what I heard.
What he meant by "knocking things down" on the internet is that there is supposed to be a group that provides explanations when controversies flare in social media. I got the impression they didn't think that group was very effective.
@Foosh
Thanks Foosh. I wasn't criticizing what you reported and greatly appreciate you asking. I imagine we are going to hear more about this as it is inevitable that a MY23 latch will fail. Hopefully whoever fixes that will learn about this new trick if it exists.
Well, I completed the retrofit on my 23 today. Everything went pretty smooth except I had to run to lowes and get a piece of 16ga sheet metal and make the support bracket that they removed. After doing the install I don’t see any indication that this design is flawed in any way. It work great with very little resistance, I can open turn the key with thumb and index finger. I wasn’t super concerned with not having it but since I was going to have the bumper cover off to install the high wing I went ahead and installed it as I consider it cheap insurance. Videos attached.
Well, I completed the retrofit on my 23 today. Everything went pretty smooth except I had to run to lowes and get a piece of 16ga sheet metal and make the support bracket that they removed. After doing the install I don’t see any indication that this design is flawed in any way. It work great with very little resistance, I can open turn the key with thumb and index finger. I wasn’t super concerned with not having it but since I was going to have the bumper cover off to install the high wing I went ahead and installed it as I consider it cheap insurance. Videos attached.
It's good to hear that your solution works well and is available to all 23 owners but I'm not sure I want to try removing the bumper cover at this time. Thanks for the information.
Well, I completed the retrofit on my 23 today. Everything went pretty smooth except I had to run to lowes and get a piece of 16ga sheet metal and make the support bracket that they removed. After doing the install I don’t see any indication that this design is flawed in any way. It work great with very little resistance, I can open turn the key with thumb and index finger. I wasn’t super concerned with not having it but since I was going to have the bumper cover off to install the high wing I went ahead and installed it as I consider it cheap insurance. Videos attached.
Great info. If I had a 2023 I would add.
In any case, Harlan Chares and the engineer didn't think it was needed because they don't have a 2023 C8! I was sure glad I had the key when my Truck would not open due to a corroded plug terminal (or perhaps more as more was replace, just in case.)
The fellow who had the problem soon after me when the Tech broke the key activated cable reported GM told the dealer that they would have to drill a 3" hole. They also added that their local GM service rep would look at it when open and if they detected that he could be his fault they would NOT pay for fixing the hole. Drilling a 3" hole is what is in the GM bulletin not the "slim gym" procedure. Appears like a dumb place to save a few bucks!
Yeah, the thing that baffled me the most were the non-answers about the "cutting holes" bulletin. It was simply dismissed, which struck me as tone deaf.
The bracket is indeed different, missing the backing plate. Should be easy enough to fab a small plate.
[snip] pictures
Great job!
I'm still going to mock install the aftermarket solution (when I get a chance - swamped with 'life' right now) since many don't want to remove bumper cover.
I noticed the left bracket is identical to the right bracket (they got rid of the bracket with the integral key lock mount).
Wonder if that's available as a separate part? Although your solution with a standalone plate is fine, if they have a factory bracket, that would be 100% OEM
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Great info. If I had a 2023 I would add.