How do I open the trunk?

ANSWER : Hi Frank. This is a weird glitch that I’ve seen on some newer GM’s. In most cases it’s a faulty connection to the trunk lid sensor that will trigger the trunk warning light on the dash. However, I’ve also seen a situation where the sensor itself is slightly misaligned and creates this fault. This is one of those situations where unless they can replicate the symptom while trying to diagnose the problem, it’s difficult to pinpoint and resolve.

ANSWER : Go into your control setup in the instrument panel, under user controls, and make sure the trunk did not get turned off in the setup. If it did, then turn all of it back on and the trunk should open. If the system is all on, try pushing down on the trunk lid and push the button to open the lid. You may have something that caught in the latch. If it still will not open, the only thing to do is to try and access the inside latch using a long grab rod or something equivalent to pull the latch release. If you can’t manage to get it open or want a second opinion on this, a certified mechanic can diagnose your trunk problem firsthand and fix it accordingly.

ANSWER : Hi there. It is likely that the electrical trunk release or the trunk locking mechanism itself is damaged and needs to be replaced. It could also be an electrical relay issue or other component within the truck locking mechanism that is damaged. It is probably a good idea to have a professional mechanic come to your location and complete a trunk inspection to determine what is broken and needs to be replaced.

ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible that the problem with your doors is electrical, however, there are multiple individual components that make up the electric door locks, ranging from solenoids, to relays, fuses, control module and the door lock itself. Before receiving a price quote on what it would cost to fix it, it would first require an inspection to properly diagnose what is damaged and needs to be fixed. I would recommend having one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a door will not open inspection first, so they can pinpoint the source of your issue and recommend the right repairs.

ANSWER : I think it is possible that you may have shut an object of some kind in between the trunk latch and the trunk lid when you shut the trunk. If an object becomes lodged in the correct spot, this can cause the trunk ajar sensor to set the light off on the dash even if the trunk is not open.

Also, if something is jammed in the right spot, this can prevent the key from being able to turn the latch from the inside. As for how to get inside the trunk if this is the case, my best recommendation would be to have an inexpensive spare key cut to the same specifications as your trunk key and try to force the key to turn; this way if the key breaks off, it will not be the main key that you need to start your vehicle.

This issue can oftentimes be fixed by forcing the key to turn. The worst case scenario would be a broken key and a broken trunk latch which are both replaceable. Forcing the key is almost certain to get the trunk open. It is quite unfortunate that this method has to be used but oftentimes it works if something is indeed lodged between the latch and the trunk lid.

ANSWER : The cost depends on where the fault is. If the fault is simply a loose, or poor, ground connection and that is found on a quick initial inspection, the cost to both diagnose and repair your issue is pretty much limited to the cost of the diagnostic. If the failure exists in a cable bundle that is inaccessible, and new wiring has to be placed alongside, it will be more costly. Also, if the failure is due to a electronic component, such as a module that receives the radio frequency signal from your key fob, the cost would involve replacement of that part, too. The bottom line is the cost depends solely on EXACTLY what is wrong. If you request an electrical component/circuit diagnostic, a certified mechanic will be dispatched with the vehicle wiring diagram. With that diagram, it is matter of methodically tracing the control circuit and pinpointing the fault. Once the problem is pinpointed, the mechanic will let you know of the exact nature of the repair and the cost. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic because we want you to make the most of your repair dollars and help you to get the best possible results.

ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in. Most of the time this is caused by a programming issue with the control module. It usually occurs if the module fails or if there is a loss of power. It can also occur if the batter is jumper improperly but most of the time you will have other issues also. If the battery was jumped correctly then I usually start by reprogramming the control module just to see if it will accept the programming. If it will not, then a new module will probably need to be installed and programmed to the vehicle. Not many places have the equipment to do this, so it is usually best left to the dealer where you got your car. I recommend having one of our certified automotive technicians from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect, diagnose, and repair the issue for you.

ANSWER : If your vehicle has a valet switch, it should be located on the interior of the vehicle. This switch is often times hidden in the glove compartment somewhere. Whichever button you pressed to activate the valet feature is the same button that should be pressed to deactivate it. On some systems, with the valet system engaged, the key will not open the trunk by design. This feature is intended to prevent valet drivers from being able to access your trunk and possibly steal your valuable items.