Electric Boot Lid

[anonymous-user]

Took the S3C out to Tescos today. Returned to the car ladened with carrier bags and found that I couldn't open the electric boot. (worked ok yesterday!). I never had this problem with Sainsburys.

Anybody got any ideas what may have caused the problem?

Cheers.

[v8whiskey]

You have got Paul Dodd's mouse problem - but in much greater quantity. Most of them hold on to the lip of the boot lid to stop it opening while the remainder are eating all your food !!! They will not escape though as they will be too fat to fit through their entrance. You have got them - if you open the boot slowly and grab them !!

Seriously if nothing has jammed in the gas strut - (French stick for example), it must be either the fuse - or you have dislodged the wire to the solonoid catch - My guess IMHO.

Hope there was nothing frozen !

[mycroft]

Have you got the boot open yet , try the backup method ( if you know it )
That will probably tell u if its jammed buy moving shopping.

[JonnyGrant]

Mine has never worked since I got my s3 2 months ago I always have to use the backup method, sorry I am no help but I will be interested to know what the problem is when you find out, then I might be able to fix mine!

If I fix mine first I will let you know, jonnygrant

[richb]

Could be the solenoid going dodgy, try pressing the lid down a bit whilst someone else flicks the release button, this eases the strain the release catch making it easier for the solenoid to do it's job, Sometimes works. Rich...

[tvrjohn]

Having problems with mine, but managed to buy new linear actuator £11 from CPC / fARNELLS
just need to fit it now

[GreenV8S]

Can you hear the solenoid working? That would tell you whether you have an electrical or mechanical problem.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the replies.

To be honest, I'can't remember hearing anything (ie. solenoid) working when it did use to open. I'm hoping that it may be as simple as the fuse which I shall check this evening. If not, can anybody email me what the 'backup method' is?

[mwbs3]

Hi

The car boot should have a cable release as well.

Mine had dissapeared so I replaced it with a bike brake cable and routed it behind the drivers seat.

I guess you have to get in first tho' good luck.

[Tripps]

mwbs3 said:

The car boot should have a cable release as well.

Not as standard they don't (my current being the exception), certainly not in the ones I've seen, that would be way too sensible for TVR

[anonymous-user]

I can hear the solenoid clicking so that seems to be ok. Does this mean that the fuse is ok as I wouldn't want to unstick the trim and find out that there was no need.
I've felt inside the drivers side sill and can only feel the aerial cable so it may well be that there isn't a manual release cable.
Does all this mean that I am going to have to cut a large hole through the rear bulkhead?

[ketvrin]

Have you tried the back up method ? It sounds like a mechanical problem so hopefully dislodge whatever it is causing the jam and that should be the end of it... dont go cutting any holes yet mate. Try repeatedly pressing on the bootlid to see if you can dislodge the offending shopping.
good luck

[richb]

Just one point; on mine I could hear the clicking but it still wouldn't open the boot, problem was that the solenoid had become tired so didn't have the power to pop the catch. Once I fitted a new solenoid it was fine. You may need to open the boot the secret way

[anonymous-user]

"You may need to open the boot the secret way".........I know you may have to kill me afterwards, but what is the 'secret way'?

[yellabelly]

LeeS3C said:

"You may need to open the boot the secret way".........I know you may have to kill me afterwards, but what is the 'secret way'?

Lee YHM

[anonymous-user]

Success!

Many thanks to everybody who replied, especially to Mycroft, RichB and Yellowbelly.

Does anybody know what may have caused the problem in the first place and what have people done to rectify it?

[richb]

LeeS3C said:

Does anybody know what may have caused the problem in the first place and what have people done to rectify it?

well that depends on what was wrong... Was it an electrical fault or a tired solenoid?

[anonymous-user]

Hi RichB,
I can hear the solenoid 'clicking' but there isn't any movement at the latch end.
Would this be a sign of a tired solenoid? Also, where is the solenoid situated?

[spludge]

Under the lip of the boot, close to the latch. It's attached to the latch by a short length of cable, theres a brass fitting on the end so I think you can adjust the action.

K

[richb]

LeeS3C said:

Hi RichB,
I can hear the solenoid 'clicking' but there isn't any movement at the latch end.
Would this be a sign of a tired solenoid? Also, where is the solenoid situated?

Well I'm not saying it's certain but that's exactly what mine started doing. made a click but nothing happened. A new solenoid moved the release much more distance and hence worked ok. It was about £15 but I can't remember where I got it from. Sorry Rich...