Boot release mod....

[JumboBeef]

Three days into Wedge ownership, and the first (of many I'm sure) thing has occurred to me.

To open the boot you press a button (as on many cars). But this button will only work in a certain way (as Wedge owners will know). But on many cars (like on my daily drive Volvo) you can pull a little lever at any time (unless the car is locked) and the boot will open.

The only advantage I can see for this is security (you need the keys to open the boot). But disadvantages are many that I can see. One major one is if you accidentally put/drop the keys in the boot and then close the boot: you are stuffed.

So, does anyone know how difficult it would be to re-wire the switch so it has power all the time? So you can open the boot at any time without the keys (along as the car is unlocked of course).

Finally, is there a way to open the boot if the button/locking release mechanism fails? If there is, could someone please PM it to me.

Thanks.

[JumboBeef]

chapperssx said:

Jumbo I have just had to have a new boot release solenoid fitted because I left the switch in the on position, in doing so it has burnt the solenoid out, two in fact because the MOT station left the switch in the on position thinking it opened the petrol flap ... The original release button broke some time ago so a switch was fitted which is ok but I must remember to leave it in the off position ! I'm reliably told the original button can be sourced at David Gerald or an alternative Momentary push button switch can be found in Maplins .... Anyway good luck with modifying yours bud

Isn't it "on" all the time when the engine is running.....?

[JumboBeef]

adam quantrill said:

I think the TVR original design makes you put the keys in the ignition so human factors-wise they are far away from the boot and the potential of being locked in there.... why not just leave them in the ignition?

Yes but if you can press the button without the keys then when you do lock your keys on the boot you can press the button again to get them out, whereas if you need the ignition on to open the boot then you are stuffed if the keys are in the boot.....

[JumboBeef]

400SE Dave said:

Thing is though, if it will always work then you have no really secure place in the car to store anything. Remember, if you pull the internal door handle it will unlock the door and then anyone can just press the button and get in your boot.

Or am I just too paranoid!!

I'd rather they pressed a button and took what was in the boot, instead of forcing the boot open and damaging that.....and still taking what is in the boot.

[JumboBeef]

So, I thought I would have a go at this today. I wanted to achieve this:

GV said:

I wired mine with a constant live so that my boot can be opened without the need to open the door for the ignition...

Put a meter across the two wires coming to/from the switch. Ignition on: one was switched 12v. Easy, I thought. Behind the other seat was 12v and two earths for the interior light. Just run a 12v from there to the switch: disconnect the 12v from the switch and connect this (always on) 12v instead.

Simple. Did it, pressed the switch and pssssssss the fuse blew.

I made the assumption that TVR had wired the boot like this:

12v > switched via ignition > switch > boot solenoid > earth.

What TVR had actually done was:

12v > switched via ignition > boot solenoid > switch > earth.

so I had wired 12v directly to earth.

If anyone can tell me please either 1/ where the 12v to the solenoid appears elsewhere in the car, so I can rewire it from switched to constant 12v or 2/ where there is permanent 12v in the boot area so I can wire this direct to the solenoid.

Thanks.

[JumboBeef]

Happy just to press the button, I just don't want to have to get the keys out, put them in, turn them then press, then remove the keys. Just want to press the button!