Power trunk release

[papa duke]

Just bought a 98 Lumina that has a trunk release button on lower left dash panel that is not wired. Did all Luminas have this button, although Power Trunk was optional? The trunk latch has no solenoid, but some type of wired black plastic release. I would like to hook up a power release. Any thoughts and answers would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Blue Bowtie]

The knee bolsters are prone to breakage. It may be that someone installed a used, color-matching bolster and it happened to have a trunk release. The lack of a solenoid in the trunk is a clue.

[jeffcoslacker]

I'd guess the power drop in the wiring harness is there, even if the option wasn't.

See if there's an unused pigtail in the trunk wiring, then try to find a corresponding one in the dash. If that's there, all you'd need is the kicker for the release, sounds like...

[therapyreject]

The power drop is there. Or at least it was on mine, no reason it wouldnt be for yours too.

Since you already have the button itself, just go to a junkyard, find the solenoid for the trunk (and the bolts) and bolt it right on. Then just plug it in. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, it literally just bolts into place and plugs in. The wires are tucked away in the trunk lid and under the dash and if I recall, theyre black and white.

Was one of the first "upgrades" I did to mine, and for $5-10 in parts its well worth it.