Well Crap :-)

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TrailBeast

TrailBeast

AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
Joined
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Arizona
I went out to get my briefcase out of the trunk of my Dart, turned the key and nothing.
No spring back and no open, so I could totally picture the little arm that releases the latch hanging there loose from the lock mechanism and the coiled spring hanging on it broken.
Just got done putting the rear seat all back in from climbing through to get the trunk open.:D

It's all fixed and back together now, but maybe I will add an electric release after all.:D
 
or just a manual release next to the driver side seat ?
 
diymirage said:
or just a manual release next to the driver side seat ?
Click to expand...


Something, anything but only one way to open it.:D
Since I have power back there for the trunk light anyway, all it would need is a solenoid and a button to ground it.
 
meh, just more things to break
i like the simplicity of a cable
(then again, it was the mechanical part that failed on you in the first place, wasnt it?
 
diymirage said:
meh, just more things to break
i like the simplicity of a cable
(then again, it was the mechanical part that failed on you in the first place, wasnt it?
Click to expand...

Yea, the little roll pin that attaches the flat bar to the lock assy went away.
 
Here's a few ideas to prevent that from happening again.



buckle-trunk.jpg
lexus-pad-lock-trunk-364x205.jpg
buick-trunk-lock.jpg
 
I can't "climb through." I've taken some extensions and taped them together, and unbolted the latch from the back seat area, "reach through"
 
TrailBeast said:
I went out to get my briefcase out of the trunk of my Dart, turned the key and nothing.
No spring back and no open, so I could totally picture the little arm that releases the latch hanging there loose from the lock mechanism and the coiled spring hanging on it broken.
Just got done putting the rear seat all back in from climbing through to get the trunk open.:D

It's all fixed and back together now, but maybe I will add an electric release after all.:D
Click to expand...
Wait! Your thin enough to squeeze through the back seat into the trunk?!?!

Daaaaaaaang!
&
Kudos!
 
TrailBeast said:
I went out to get my briefcase out of the trunk of my Dart, turned the key and nothing.
No spring back and no open, so I could totally picture the little arm that releases the latch hanging there loose from the lock mechanism and the coiled spring hanging on it broken.
Just got done putting the rear seat all back in from climbing through to get the trunk open.:D

It's all fixed and back together now, but maybe I will add an electric release after all.:D
Click to expand...
I have electric release from a 80's Mopar. Haven't installed it yet. Like you said, power to it, a switch and ground. You could get a remote fob and receiver and hook it up with a relay as well. Keyless entry!
 
Just finally added a power latch from a 80's Diplomat to my Dart. I had the latch about 30 years but never got around to installing it. The switch was already in my ashtray area as my Dart came with a power trunk release (big old solenoid with a chain attached to it). My incentive to install the new latch....... I locked my keys in the trunk at a car show and had to remove the rear seat LOL
 
superchargeddrt said:
Just finally added a power latch from a 80's Diplomat to my Dart. I had the latch about 30 years but never got around to installing it. The switch was already in my ashtray area as my Dart came with a power trunk release (big old solenoid with a chain attached to it). My incentive to install the new latch....... I locked my keys in the trunk at a car show and had to remove the rear seat LOL
Click to expand...
What would a guy do if his rear seat isn`t removable ?!
 
Still remember the guy going at the trunk with a screwdriver and hammer whittling a hole to get the lock out. I insisted i could get in through back seat. He wouldnt have any part of it.
 
All this time and I've never had a trunk lock failure.
Is this common?
(And WHO doesn't carry an extra set of keys on their belt? )
 
My 57 Ford had a bad lock, I drilled out one of the holes the 'V' mounted to (it was off anyway) and used a small hooked hacksaw frame to get in there and pop it. Could hit it in about 3 seconds. Not mine....
depositphotos_77319410-stock-photo-1957-green-ford-fairlane-car.jpg
 
WoodenNickle said:
Here's a few ideas to prevent that from happening again.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I'd rather climb through if I have to.
Takes me 15 min.

rumblefish360 said:
Wait! Your thin enough to squeeze through the back seat into the trunk?!?!

Daaaaaaaang!
&
Kudos!
Click to expand...

Yep, slid right through till I could reach the latch with needle nose to turn it.
AND backed out.:D
I thought about going on through once it was open but didn't.
I'm 6'2" and 200, thanks.


toolmanmike said:
I have electric release from a 80's Mopar. Haven't installed it yet. Like you said, power to it, a switch and ground. You could get a remote fob and receiver and hook it up with a relay as well. Keyless entry!
Click to expand...

I have keyless on the doors already, so it wouldn't be a stretch.
When I bought the kit I got the one for a four door, so I would have two extra solenoids.
I was thinking ahead a little anyway.:D
 
@TrailBeast Your height and weight suggest you thin. Lucky you for this day it just paid good dividends! LMAO!

superchargeddrt said:
Call a locksmith I guess.
Click to expand...

A fee I’d rather skip though most every time I needed one, they were inexpensive. It was like they got a kick out of it and worked for beer money. Others.... not so much. But still no complaints!

famous bob said:
What would a guy do if his rear seat isn`t removable ?!
Click to expand...

Locksmith or bribe a little kid....

adriver said:
All this time and I've never had a trunk lock failure.
Is this common?
(And WHO doesn't carry an extra set of keys on their belt? )
Click to expand...
It isn’t common for these to break but with that said, any man made item will sooner or later fail because man made it. Everything has a service life.
(I’m hoping mine is 90 years or better! LOL!)

I use the hide a key metal box with a magnet.
 
rumblefish360 said:
@TrailBeast

It isn’t common for these to break but with that said, any man made item will sooner or later fail because man made it. Everything has a service life.
(I’m hoping mine is 90 years or better! LOL!)

I use the hide a key metal box with a magnet.
Click to expand...

Hey.
The B body project we got a few years ago had no trunk key.
But it did have a fold down rear.
I cut a hole in the plywood and slithered into the trunk.
My daily has that fold down plywood too.
So, aside from getting large items in it, there is another possible benefit.
:)
 
rumblefish360 said:
@TrailBeast Your height and weight suggest you thin. Lucky you for this day it just paid good dividends! LMAO!

It isn’t common for these to break but with that said, any man made item will sooner or later fail because man made it. Everything has a service life.
(I’m hoping mine is 90 years or better! LOL!)
Click to expand...

Always been on the thin side and some probably has to do with riding dirt bikes and scuba diving on a fair regular basis.
Believe it or not scuba diving is hard work, (not so much the actual diving, but getting everything ready and on):D
I used to sit down and rest for a couple before I would get in the water)
The actual diving was easier as long as there wasn't a strong current.
That got cut big time when I moved to AZ.


adriver said:
If the car is drive-able go see them instead since it might be cheaper?
I assume they could open it somehow.
Wonder what the cost might be.
Being an antique car they might even do it for giggles.
Click to expand...

My youngest had a key made for his Ford when he lost the ignition key and it was right at 100 bucks for the guy to come out and make one for it.
Obviously that can vary a lot.
 
Im suprised the trunk key/lock is not more of an issue as the key usually has to overcome the latch and sometimes those latches are spring loaded against the trunk gasket so a little weight on the trunk makes it easier to open.
 
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