Yesterday I opened my trunk via the remote (i rarely open it anymore since I spilled a bunch of oil in it 6 months ago)and now it won't shut. At first I thought it was because of the snow and ice it wouldn't shut ..I then thought it might be that the latch got messed up....any ideas? I'm desperate since it is supposed to be around -8 today

Mechanism maybe frozen. Poor some warm isopropyl alcohol (or get that stuff you spray into frozen locks) on the mechanism and then spray with WD-40?

Wait... you poured oil on the mechanism? It maybe just gummed up.... try some brake cleaner on it.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 01-20-2011).]

Don't use water (just covering that)

WD40, or rubbing alcohol is good to put in there.

Sounds like the mechanism is frozen.

It happens.

Brad

I'm not sure...i thought it was frozen at first, but then i pulled it into the garage and got my roommate's hairdryer and try to warm it up and nothing seemed to work. I was going to put it in the garage today and see if i go into the trunk through the backseat to see if the latch matches up with the steel ring, but now my car won't start.

quote Originally posted by burdell1: I'm not sure...i thought it was frozen at first, but then i pulled it into the garage and got my roommate's hairdryer and try to warm it up and nothing seemed to work. I was going to put it in the garage today and see if i go into the trunk through the backseat to see if the latch matches up with the steel ring, but now my car won't start.

Turn the key on the trunk like you are trying to open it... Then, make sure the latch itself is "open"... If the hook is closed, then when you try and shut it it will just bounce off the metal loop it latches to.

Turn the key and use a screwdriver to pull the latch hook open... Then, lube it with WD40 and close the trunk.

quote Originally posted by Synthesis: Turn the key on the trunk like you are trying to open it... Then, make sure the latch itself is "open"... If the hook is closed, then when you try and shut it it will just bounce off the metal loop it latches to. Turn the key and use a screwdriver to pull the latch hook open... Then, lube it with WD40 and close the trunk.

Yup, check this first.

quote Originally posted by Synthesis: Turn the key on the trunk like you are trying to open it... Then, make sure the latch itself is "open"... If the hook is closed, then when you try and shut it it will just bounce off the metal loop it latches to. Turn the key and use a screwdriver to pull the latch hook open... Then, lube it with WD40 and close the trunk.

/\_____Very well written explanation!

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 01-20-2011).]

Thank you for that too....Unfortunately, i already tried that and that didn't work either....

If you tried THAT, then it might be time to get a friend + a flashlight, and have them sit in the trunk as you *gently* close it... The flashlight can either be used by them once it's been closed to check out how things fit (or don't fit) properly, or by YOU (on their head) once they are lying defenseless in your trunk...*WHUNK!!!*

(May need a shovel)

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: Yup, check this first.

Ya, i see this all the time. I see people at the car wash next door slamming their door over and over and it wont latch. Some have even destroyed the door jam or latch assembly. Its easy when you wash or just wipe the jam to push the catch closed and not even know it. Just pushing the button or using the key resets it open. If you dont all you do is slam the backside of the latch into the striker till it bends or breaks.

Ok I think the lock assembly might be screwed up. Does anyone out there have a picture of the trunk lock assembly for a Sunfire or Cavalier

Perfectly normal. Pressing the button applies voltage to the solenoid which pulls the latch release. The "hook" that you push up halfway through the video before pressing the button for the second time is what hooks around the metal loop at the bottom.
When you close the trunk with that latch in the open position (after you push the button and it opens), the metal loop slides up into the notch on the latch assembly, pushing in on the section of hook about 2/3rds of the way up inside the notch.
This causes the hook to swing on the pivot point and latch around the metal loop.
Once this swings out and around, the latch release (the left side of the latch assembly) locks the hook and prevents it from swinging back until you have used the key or pushed the button...

Lube that mechanism with a lithium or graphite grease... Open/close it several times, then latch the trunk.
If it still does not latch, then you broke something.. How you broke it, I don't know, as the latch is VERY sturdy.

Edit: When closing it, try doing it slowly, but firmly...
If that does not latch, then try closing it very firmly with some speed... One of the two should work for you.

[This message has been edited by Synthesis (edited 01-20-2011).]

Would it matter how tight the bolts are for the lock assembly?

Is there something stopping the lid from closing? Maybe the lid doesn't go all the way down, which stops the latch from working??

Just a thought.

i don't think there is anything preventing the trunk lid from closing.....however, the metal loop seems to be sloping downward and where the trunk is supposed to latch onto the hook it seems it doesn't quite make it all the way down....does anyone on here have a picture of the metal loop from a Pontiac Sunfire or a Chevrolet Cavalier to compare it to? thanks!

You may be able to loosen the latch and move it further away from the decklid. This would lower the mechanism, so it may latch.... maybe....

i tried lowering the locking mechanism by loosening the 2 bolts and putting it as a low it will go (which wasn't much lower unfortunately.)I'm not sure what i'm doing wrong...

Solenoid may be sticking when you use it. Keeping the latch from locking. When the truck is open make sure that it is actually locking when you close the trunk by using the screwdriver to make sure that it actually is locking when it is closed. If the lock is actually working with the screwdriver then something is out of alignment or lose make sure all the bolts are tightened.

Steve

------------------
Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

Thanks...it seems, though, that locking mechanism doesn't quite reach all the way down to the metal loop. Not sure how to get it to reach though.....

Use a large screwdriver or prybar and see if you can move / pull up on the loop. I had to fix a 99 Cavalier and 2001 Alero where the loop mounting plate rusted away from the body causing the loop to get pushed down and the latch unable to catch it.

If this happens to be your problem it's a rather easy fix for someone with a welder, I pulled the loops up into the proper position and made a backing plate bigger than the factory mount and welded that to the underside, then I welded the factory mounting plate ( you will see what I mean if you get into it ) to that from the outside. You will have to remove the inside trim panel if this is your problem and need to fix it. I don't recall for sure ( I think I had to ) if I had to remove the rear bumper cover on the Cavalier to access it, but I did on the Alero.

[This message has been edited by jelly2m8 (edited 01-21-2011).]

Remove the 2 bolts that hold the hook on the bottom and put a couple of washers under the hook itself. One or 2 under each side should tell you if it is out of alignment. The washers will raise the hook up and may fix your problem.

Is it possible someone may have backed into you while it was parked? That may have been what your problem is.

Steve

------------------
Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: Remove the 2 bolts that hold the hook on the bottom and put a couple of washers under the hook itself. One or 2 under each side should tell you if it is out of alignment. The washers will raise the hook up and may fix your problem. Is it possible someone may have backed into you while it was parked? That may have been what your problem is. Steve

Yup, try to move the hook around, as Steve mentions.

Did you carry something heavy in the trunk that may have bent to ' hook ' in or out and its missing the catch completely ? Did you use the hook to tie the trunk lid down carrying something? I have had to take a hammer and knock the hook into alignment with the latch. Theres not much wiggle room....the hook has to line up perfectly with the catch 1/4" off and it wont work. It might have just been slightly off and trying to slam it shut bent it over further. Like I said, Ive seen people destroy the latch or jam trying to slam it harder and harder.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 01-21-2011).]

UPDATE: I tried the washer idea (I added 3 more washers), but it didn't seem to help at first. Then, frustrated and desperate, I took a hammer and pulled upward on the metal loop. I then tried closing it again....nope...then quickly shut it again....it SHUT!!! Finally!! I will have to fine tune it to make sure it closes the first time every time, but for now it is closed!! thanks for all your help and suggestions!

Sounds like the latch on the trunk itself got loose. Did you try lowering the latch mechanism itself at all? If the bolts holding the latch mechanism on the trunk lid moved it can also cause this same problem. Try loosening the bolts on that and pulling that down. Something’s loosen up and can cause all kinds of problems,

Have you carried anything that could have pushed the rod down?

Have you carried anything that you couldn’t close the trunk? Like something that stuck out and you had to tie the trunk down?

All those things can push things out of alignment. Also rusted panels can move a lot easier than solid ones. It has been a while since I have even seen a Sunfire so I can’t help anymore than I already have. Except to say be careful and do things in small increments. Add a washer at a time. Or bend things just a little. You can overdo things and then the trunk won’t unlock once you get it to close. And that can be even worse.

Steve

------------------
Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.