It's really annoying that I have to shut the engine off to pop the trunk release. Is there a way to rewire the deck release to be work when the engine is running?

it should be able to pop while running. it wont pop in gear, only in park & neutral - but - running should not be an issue

Mine won't pop in neutral (5 speed) with the engine running.

I pretty sure th e brake has to be set befoe this can happen..

Definitely, e-brake must be applied.

yep. can pop while running, but with a manual the E brake must be set.

Have not tried the e-brake - I will give that a shot.

Yes it can be re-wired to allow it to pop at any time also.

The trunk release relay is located behing the instrument panel, right hand side of the steering column. Push the release button and listen to it click.

If you want the release to operate at all times cut the Tan/White wire coming from the relay and ground the side coming from the relay. Tape the other cut end so it doesn't end up grounding on something and causing the brake warning light to come on.

If you want the trunk release to only operate when the key is in the ON or ACC postition, cut the Dark Blue/Orange wire leading to the release switch and extend it and connect it to the Yellow power wire runing to the radio.

My 84 will only open with the key in ON position, engine running or not. Does not matter what gear I'm in or if the E-brake is on. The 84 circuit is simple, Power to switch in RUN position, then from switch directly to the trunk solenoid. Other years use a relay and interlocks on trans and e-brake. You could re-wire to work like an 84. I have toyed with the idea of rewiring mine to have power at the switch at all times but that would allow someone to open my trunk if they reached into the sunroof or I left the doors unlocked.

quote Originally posted by phonedawgz: If you want the TRUNK release to operate at all times cut the Tan/White wire ....... causing the BRAKE warning light to come on. If you want the TRUNK release to only operate when the key is in the ON or ACC postition, cut the Dark Blue/Orange wire ..... connect it to the Yellow power wire runing to the RADIO.

Even though I completely trust this to be true.... How SO unrelated things can be.... Further pronunces my lack of knowledge for auto wiring.

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: Definitely, e-brake must be applied.

I have to disagree. Up until Monday, I was always able to pop open the trunk without the e-brake on. Now, for some reason, it doesn't open at all (but that's for another thread - LOL)

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 09-22-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Sofa King: I have to disagree. Up until Monday, I was always able to pop open the trunk without the e-brake on. Now, for some reason, it doesn't open at all (but that's for another thread - LOL)

Are your power locks malfunctioning as well? the light in my trunk will ground out once and a while and blow a fuse under the dash. This will cause my trunk "popper" not to "pop" and my door locks to not function ONLY when the doors are open. Again. Strangely seemingly unrelated issues tied together...

It would help for the OP to say what year car he has. I wish this would be something everyone remembers to put in their original posts: year, model, engine, trans would help greatly in most TD&Q Postings.

In my 87, I can just pull the e-brake up enough to trip the switch (so the light comes on), but it doesn't pull the cable out and apply the brake, to push the button, while the car is in neutral with the engine running. But yes, the e-brake switch is part of the circuit on the Getrag cars.

My experiance:

84's = pop at all times, they just don't care. Actually annoying if you hit it on accident while driving down the road.
85-88 = while running, manual trans pop with ebrake applied, auto must be in park, or neutral with ebrake applied. Engine off, anytime.

quote Originally posted by Bump: Even though I completely trust this to be true.... How SO unrelated things can be.... Further pronunces my lack of knowledge for auto wiring.

They tried to design the trunk popper to only work with the parking brake on. They messed up a bit because with the key off, the ground backfeeds and works with the brake on or off.

I just ran an always hot wire to the switch so I could open it whenever. I only popped it once driving down the road, it came up an inch or so and latched itself back down when I hit the next bump.

quote Originally posted by Fieroseverywhere: My experiance: 84's = pop at all times, they just don't care. Actually annoying if you hit it on accident while driving down the road. 85-88 = while running, manual trans pop with ebrake applied, auto must be in park, or neutral with ebrake applied. Engine off, anytime.

84 only pops with key in RUN position in any gear, at any speed.

quote Originally posted by TONY_C: 84 only pops with key in RUN position in any gear, at any speed.

Not mine. Its possible the PO wired it differently but mine can pop at any time. I once used a coat hanger to pop the deck when I'd locked my key in the trunk. It was easier then trying to unlock the door.

quote Originally posted by Fieroseverywhere: Not mine. Its possible the PO wired it differently but mine can pop at any time. I once used a coat hanger to pop the deck when I'd locked my key in the trunk. It was easier then trying to unlock the door.

Must be because the 84 schematic in the manual says power is only at the switch in RUN.