Trunk latch broken

[B 86]

Hi all. I tried popping my trunk this evening after getting back from the store and the trunk latch was stuck and would only open slightly, only reason it seems it opened the amount it did was because the bolts holding the latch to the trunk apparently came out. I have an aftermarket vis cf trunk on the car but the locking mechanism is stock.

I had to forcibly pull upward on the trunk to get it to open. The valet button was not pushed, the emergency latch did not work. I could hear the trunk lock try to cycle for the mechanism to work but I didn’t see any actual movement. I tried to take the latch apart to see if I could see an issue but was unable to figure it out.

Does anyone know what the issue is? Or has any ideas on how to fix this? It would be greatly appreciated. It is my daily driver and at the least I need to figure out how to keep the trunk closed so I can drive it lol. Thank you!

[B 86]

Update. After taking the locking actuator apart, I found one of the 10mm bolts that held the locking mechanism to the trunk inside the assembly. It seems to have loosened up some of the metal wires on the inside. I am having a really hard time finding a picture of what it should look like inside the assembly. Does anyone have any pictures of this thanks!

[soundman98]

i would just buy a replacement from a salvage yard. way easier, and less problematic.

[B 86]

Yeah that’s an option I’m thinking about. I just mainly am trying to at least have the trunk lock shut so I can drive it

[soundman98]

i see. took apart my spare latch(trunk project i'm still working on, can't sell)


zip tie is the order of assembly reference

[soundman98]

i was trying to take the picture the same as your picture was for ease of assembly.

just noticed though that my latch assembly is in the 'open' position, and yours is in the 'latched' position.

the 'open' position should be easier to re-assemble, as it takes pressure off that bugger of a round spring that inherently wants to jump off into that land of lost parts. and also takes pressure off the latch spring near the latch itself.

[B 86]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i was trying to take the picture the same as your picture was for ease of assembly.

just noticed though that my latch assembly is in the 'open' position, and yours is in the 'latched' position.

the 'open' position should be easier to re-assemble, as it takes pressure off that bugger of a round spring that inherently wants to jump off into that land of lost parts. and also takes pressure off the latch spring near the latch itself.

Thank you so much! This really helped! I found that placing the latch in the open position made it so the trunk would shut and stay shut. I was able to pop the trunk after shutting the trunk but it still is having issues completely detaching from the car. Anyways I’ll be in the market for another lock actuator, but being drivable was all I was really worrying about right now. Thanks again for taking the time and sending a picture and for the help!

[soundman98]

$21

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Subaru...4AAOSw57FfkGDn

there's some for $43 as well, which still isn't too bad.

[B 86]

Originally Posted by soundman98

$21

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Subaru...4AAOSw57FfkGDn

there's some for $43 as well, which still isn't too bad.

Sweet thank you!


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[humfrz]

Originally Posted by B 86

Yeah that’s an option I’m thinking about. I just mainly am trying to at least have the trunk lock shut so I can drive it

Bubba suggests:

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Bubba suggests:

Bubba's wrong on this one. Shade Tree Joe says duct tape is for when you want it permanently shut. This is more of a solution for a wire clothes hanger.

1. Remove the trunk key lock so you have a hole.
2. Straighten a wire clothes hanger. You need a full one, not one of those from the dry cleaners that has cardboard on the bottom part.
3. Wrap the clothes hanger around the hook on the inside of the car.
4. feed the other end out the hole made from removing the lock.
5. Wrap the two ends around a bolt you have laying somewhere under your shade tree. Leave it loose enough it will slide off the nut end of the bolt.
6. Attach nut, or better a wing nut if you have one.
7. Now, when you need to open trunk, remove nut, slip out bolt.

Note, you don't have a bolt/nut under your shade tree, use a stick, that'll work too.

[FR-S2GT86]

Bubba and Shade Tree Joe are both wrong.

Junkyard Jerry says to stretch a bungee cord from the rear spoiler down to the exhaust cutout to hold the trunk lid down. Then you just unhook it when you need to open it up.

[Ultramaroon]

+1 for Junkyard Jerry's fix.

Latches are overrated.