[DeTomaso] Decklid Lock

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/28/08 7 59 36, apollo73 at yahoo.com writes:


> While installing a new latch on my decklid lock yesterday, the cylinder you 
> push in on to open the trunk,
> somehow broke.  Now it just slides loosely back and forth, and of course, 
> the decklid is shut, and I can't figure out
> how to get it open.  I took it to one locksmith and he wouldn't touch it.  
> He apparently had a bad experience with a
> Jaguar once, and for whatever reason, wouldn't even look at it.
> 

A locksmith probably wouldn't be much help anyway, as it's not a 'lock' 
issue.

The only thing that the lock does is raise and lower a bar, which either 
allows or prevents the plunger from being able to move in and out.   If you can 
lock it, and it won't go in, and unlock it and it will go in, then the lock is 
functioning perfectly.

The lock cylinder actually pushes on the latch.   Here, I just shot a photo 
of mine:

http://members.aol.com/mikeldrew/TrunkLatch.jpg

The latch is encased in a stamped metal housing; it pivots on a rivet and 
there is a spring at the bottom.

When you push in on the button, it slides forward, pressing on the bottom of 
the latch, which pivots on the rivet, and the top of the latch moves rearward, 
releasing the catch on the decklid.

There could be any number of explanations for your failure.   Your rivet 
could have sheared, or one of the mounting studs could have broken off (the one 
not pictured broke years ago and is replaced with a bolt), or the nuts holding 
the latch in place could have come loose and allowed the latch to move 
slightly.

There are various ways to get the decklid open in any of these circumstances. 
  The first thing I would try is pushing down on the decklid (on the back 
edge of the decklid, not the flat part) while actuating the latch.   Compressing 
the weatherstripping might give you enough extra clearance for the thing to 
pop free.

If it is well and truly stuck, and you don't have A/C, you can run a long 
screwdriver straight up through the top of the A/C grille and get to the bottom 
of the latch; push it forward and maybe you can open it.

You can perhaps run a piece of coathanger between the weatherstripping and 
the underside of the decklid; you could then catch the latch and pull it 
rearward, which would allow it to open.

If all else fails, you can remove the bolts holding the decklid hinges to the 
underside of the roof.   With that done, you could then lift the front of the 
decklid and slide it forward, which would slide it forward off the latch, and 
then you could lift the back, etc.

Let us know what you find out!

Mike


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