Trunk latch doesn't... latch.

Rubes · Post by **Rubes** » 06 Mar 2010, 15:52

I went to close my trunk, and it just bounced. FOr some reason, the latch isn't locking when the trunk closes. I tried to latch it with a screwdriver, and it just flicks back open. I dont hear any loose pieces, as if something broke off... could it be that the open "button" is shorting out, making it stay open?

2001 S80 T6

Post by **stone36** » 06 Mar 2010, 16:41

This may not help, but I had the same thing happen with my 850 wagon trunk latch. It just bounced like yours. I took it apart and went through the whole mechanics of it and determined that it was just done...

You can find one at a parts yard pretty cheap ($5-$10 probably) and replace, just remember where the "clips and pins" go when you take it apart. There should be 2-3 steel rods that clip into the unit that control the auto unlock, trunk release lever, and trunk key function.

If you do that remember that the bottom U shaped reciver of the latch is adjustable and will probably have to be adjusted to get a secure close again. And if I remember right those lower bolts were HARD to get loose. Good luck

Rubes · Post by **Rubes** » 08 Mar 2010, 14:05

I took the latching assembly off, but couldn't really see anything that would fail. I'm hesitant to replace the entire assembly when not only does nothing on that page look like my trunk's assembly, but I don't even know if the problem is in the assembly itself. I also checked for blown fuses, pinched wires, and unplugged couplers, but got nothing.

Does the latch lock electrically? I tried closing the "hook" manually, but it just flings back open.

Rubes · Post by **Rubes** » 08 Mar 2010, 14:48

The part that won't stay latched is at the very bottom of this piece.

On the S80, this is bolted to the trunk lid, and latches to a pin located in the back of the trunk. See the tip of the hook on the bottom right? The pin on the bottom of the trunk pushes against the angled part, and the hook swings around and is supposed to latch around the pin. But the hook isn't staying closed.

Found one on ebay for $82 shipped. I guess that's all I can do, unless someone knows another reason for the failure.

Rubes · Post by **Rubes** » 21 Mar 2010, 10:22

I fixed it!

I took the whole thing apart, and couldn't find any problems with it, so I put it back together and it still wouldn't work, so I tried to fix it the same way you fix a stuck valve in an old Edelbrock carburator... I hit it with a wrench. It made some weird noise, and now it works again.

Post by **mvsuzr** » 24 Mar 2010, 07:25

Like the old mechanic used to say, "It's not the cost of using the wrench, it's knowing where to hit it"
Good job! Mark that magic spot...

mwiles · Post by **mwiles** » 05 Aug 2012, 21:57

I had a success tonight with the wrench method. Just about had the latch assembly out of the hatch, and gave it two good whacks out of frustration and curiosity. Sure enough, it works.

noseblade · Post by **noseblade** » 24 Nov 2018, 18:29

OMG-LOL!! It worked. I have had nothing but trouble with this car the last few days. The battery died, and the jump failed, and it cost BOUCOU dollars to get a new battery and inspection at the dealer. Next, the trunk latch WOULD NOT CATCH!! I slammed it, pressed it, lifted the top bits with the lift mechanism and put it back down OVER 20 TIMES!! It still would not latch.

After reading this, I thought what GARBAGE!! Hit it with a hammer? I thought, how inane, imbecilic and immature! Guess what? IT WORKED!

I HIT IT WITH THE CLAW END 2 TIMES! Suddenly, the latch worked and it shut.

You guys are amazing and I want to thank you SOOOO MUCH!!

Post by **oragex** » 24 Nov 2018, 18:49

Quite common on the S80. Just replace with a used unit, see youtube for DIY