1993 TC trunk won't close

I've inherited my Dad's town car with the very neat self-closing trunk. Problem is that lately it will not close -- sometimes the motor runs but it doesn't close. We just replaced the battery as it was dead. Is there anything we should check or can bypass to get the darned thing shut? We're going to have to have it outside for several months until probate closes.

I see you've already found a similliar thread here (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=004846) at Lol.com...

Within that thread ekooke references another post (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=003811) where Dereck mentions disassembling the motor/gearbox/track assembly, winding down the striker by hand and putting it back in the car.

IMHO, you'd be better off just replacing the whole assembly like everyone recommends.