Trunk won't open: 1994
Natasha74
05-05-2005, 10:43 AM
The trunk release on my 1994 Sentra has stopped functioning. Unfortuately, the lock had already been broken by someone breaking into the trunk so the trunk release was the only way to open it.
Any suggestions as to how I can get it open? Thanks so much!
Any suggestions as to how I can get it open? Thanks so much!
neubauten
05-06-2005, 09:26 AM
I had a similar problem with a car once. The only way to get to the trunk was through the back seats.
My 94 has a 60/40 split on the rear seats, making them able to fold down, exposing the trunk space... If you can fold down a seat and crawl back into the trunk, yuo should be able to
a) get whatever you need out of your trunk
b) tug really hard (without bending the metal rod) on the tiny metal rod on your trunk lid that connects to your lock assembly, opening it
c) use a socket wrench to remove the STATIONARY part of the trunk lock (the part the lock cradles into on the bottom) to open your trunk, in order to replace the trunk cable and lock assembly.
If that doesn't work, or yuo don't have rear seats that fold down:
Try popping up the bottom part of the seat and removing it. Get your socket wrenches out and undo the bolts that hold the back of the seat in place. After that, you can enter the trunk through the back seat, and manually pull the cable release. If it just slipped out of its place, you can put it back into its slot on the trunk lock, but if the plastic "catch" that holds into the lock assembly is broken, you might want to look into getting a used trunk cable assembly. (new ones are ridiculously overpriced)
The trunk release on my 1994 Sentra has stopped functioning. Unfortuately, the lock had already been broken by someone breaking into the trunk so the trunk release was the only way to open it.
Any suggestions as to how I can get it open? Thanks so much!
My 94 has a 60/40 split on the rear seats, making them able to fold down, exposing the trunk space... If you can fold down a seat and crawl back into the trunk, yuo should be able to
a) get whatever you need out of your trunk
b) tug really hard (without bending the metal rod) on the tiny metal rod on your trunk lid that connects to your lock assembly, opening it
c) use a socket wrench to remove the STATIONARY part of the trunk lock (the part the lock cradles into on the bottom) to open your trunk, in order to replace the trunk cable and lock assembly.
If that doesn't work, or yuo don't have rear seats that fold down:
Try popping up the bottom part of the seat and removing it. Get your socket wrenches out and undo the bolts that hold the back of the seat in place. After that, you can enter the trunk through the back seat, and manually pull the cable release. If it just slipped out of its place, you can put it back into its slot on the trunk lock, but if the plastic "catch" that holds into the lock assembly is broken, you might want to look into getting a used trunk cable assembly. (new ones are ridiculously overpriced)
The trunk release on my 1994 Sentra has stopped functioning. Unfortuately, the lock had already been broken by someone breaking into the trunk so the trunk release was the only way to open it.
Any suggestions as to how I can get it open? Thanks so much!
Natasha74
05-06-2005, 10:24 AM
Thanks for the info. I don't have folding rear seats so your tips are very helpful!
I will finally have a reason to use the socket wrenches my dad got me for x-mas!
The trunk release on my 1994 Sentra has stopped functioning. Unfortuately, the lock had already been broken by someone breaking into the trunk so the trunk release was the only way to open it.
Any suggestions as to how I can get it open? Thanks so much!
I will finally have a reason to use the socket wrenches my dad got me for x-mas!
The trunk release on my 1994 Sentra has stopped functioning. Unfortuately, the lock had already been broken by someone breaking into the trunk so the trunk release was the only way to open it.
Any suggestions as to how I can get it open? Thanks so much!
neubauten
05-06-2005, 10:29 AM
Good luck!
If you need to find a used replacement, check out your local junkyards... you'll find out how addicting it is even for us girls, to play with the cars when you start pulling out your seats lol! Just bring your tools out to a car junkyard (if you look for a cabling assembly, bring a box cutter to cut the interior of a junker car... trust me), and have fun.
If you just want to find a used one without the work, look on eBay, or let me know (I'm parting out my own Sentra... it got murdered).
Call around too.... you'll die when you see the prices they want to charge just so you can use your friggin/ trunk!
Either way, good luck playing with your car!
Thanks for the info. I don't have folding rear seats so your tips are very helpful!
I will finally have a reason to use the socket wrenches my dad got me for x-mas!
If you need to find a used replacement, check out your local junkyards... you'll find out how addicting it is even for us girls, to play with the cars when you start pulling out your seats lol! Just bring your tools out to a car junkyard (if you look for a cabling assembly, bring a box cutter to cut the interior of a junker car... trust me), and have fun.
If you just want to find a used one without the work, look on eBay, or let me know (I'm parting out my own Sentra... it got murdered).
Call around too.... you'll die when you see the prices they want to charge just so you can use your friggin/ trunk!
Either way, good luck playing with your car!
Thanks for the info. I don't have folding rear seats so your tips are very helpful!
I will finally have a reason to use the socket wrenches my dad got me for x-mas!
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026