Trunk release button (Page 1/1)
M.aaron80 JUN 07, 11:52 AM
My trunk release button never worked on my 86 GT,What are the main reason for this? Relay problem? If so where is the relay located?
dremu JUN 07, 01:31 PM
Are you sure you're pushing the correct part of the button? Remember not to press the icon part but the blank part =))

Seriously, though. FSM says the relay is behind the instrument panel, RH side of the steering column support.

-- A
theogre JUN 07, 01:47 PM
Auto trans must be in park or maybe neutral.
Stick car needs Park Brake On.
Lock solenoid only has ground w/ lid close making contact w/ latch loop on frame.
See my Cave, Trunk Release and Trunk Safety

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

mrfiero JUN 08, 04:54 AM
Assuming you tried it in park or with the e-brake on and the solenoid and relay work, the switch itself may be bad. It is very common for the plastic rocker part of the switch to break off. Remove the switch from the bezel and give it a shake. If it rattles then there's your answer. You could (and should) also pop off the gray switch cover (the part you press with your finger) to verify this. If it's broken a small piece of gray plastic will fall out.

It is the first thing I would check before delving into whether or not the relay or solenoid work.
yamaha94 JUN 08, 08:31 AM
We are all forgetting that the trunk switch only can be pressed one way. Lot of people pushed the picture of the trunk which over time will break the mechanism (seems natural that way) You push the other side of the switch. Well known issue.
Mike in Sydney JUN 08, 07:30 PM
My trunk release button never worked on my 86 GT,What are the main reason for this? Relay problem? If so where is the relay located?


I had the same issue on a '86GT that I purchased a few years back. It was always one of those "I'll get to it later" things because I thought it was going to take a long time to chase down the problem. Last month, while looking to things to fill in my COVID-19 lockdown days, I decided to fix it. When I pulled the switch out of the dash. I found that the plug connector on the back of the switch was just hanging on and not making contact. I cleaned the contacts, put the plug back on the switch, pushed the button and popped open the trunk. Total job time: 3-min, 28.5-sec. (Not really but you get the idea.)

Moral of the story: Don't forget to check the obvious.

Hope yours is as easy to fix as mine was.

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Mike in Sydney