help with opening boot please

[DOUG GRIFF]

can anyone please give me some advice how to open my boot please. it was working fine yesterday , then wouldn't latch shut. I moved the catch on the boot down very slightly ( although it was tight & didn't look like it had moved ) & sure enough it latched shut but now wont open. the cabin button seems to be working & I can hear the normal sound of the solenoid ? clunking , but it is still locked shut.

any ideas please ? I have had a look at the normal 'secret' way in , but the boot still wont unlock - luckily I put some petrol in before this happened , so can do a couple of short runs , but after that will not be able to fill up.

thanks in advance for any help , Doug

[K4000JB]

Try putting some downward pressure on the boot lid above where the catch is, as someone else presses the release button.
Worked for me in the past.
James

[black and green]

Try the 'secret' way in whilst you or a helper press the boot lid down firmly so as to compress the rubber seal and free off the latch?

[DOUG GRIFF]

thanks for your quick replies. I will ask the better half to give me a hand when she returns from the school run & let you know how I get on.

best regards , Doug

[DOUG GRIFF]

I have tried pushing down on the boot lid whilst the boot release is pressed but its still not releasing.

standing at the back of the car when the button is pressed I cant here the solenoid ? clunking from the boot( from inside the cabin you can here a clunk but its not from the boot )

am I missing something here? has it got a manual pull inside the car ?

many thanks , Doug

[black and green]

Have you tried the 'secret' method whilst pushing the boot lid down?

[DOUG GRIFF]

this might sound a bit stupid but are we talking about the same 'secret method '? any chance of a PM > me just in case I am missing something really basic - thanks

[black and green]

PM sent.

[Quinny]

DOUG GRIFF said:

this might sound a bit stupid but are we talking about the same 'secret method '? any chance of a PM > me just in case I am missing something really basic - thanks

Sounds like the cable may have come off the solenoid or the catch....

If you find you need a new solenoid....£8.99 Mapplin

[RichB]

I had this on my S3c, the solenoid was clonking but not opening the boot. I was told they can "wear out" in that the range of movement reduces with age, I had naturally assumed that being a electrical part they either worked or not. I put a new solenoid in and it was fine. As I say, this was an S not Griff mind you.

[DOUG GRIFF]

ok , now the boot is open - I have checked & all the cables seem to be in place. we have a Maplin's just down the road so will try a new solenoid & see if that does it.

many thanks for every ones help & quick replies.

best regards , Doug

[EGB]

I and others would like a picture of the boot solenoid if possible. Thanks. Eddie.

[Quinny]

EGB said:

I and others would like a picture of the boot solenoid if possible. Thanks. Eddie.

[DOUG GRIFF]

sorry , I cant post a picture of mine as our camera isn't working. although I have been doing a quick search to get a replacement.

I cant see them in Maplins , but its the ' Solenoid 2 wire ' on Racing greens site & Clever trevor has them as well at roughly the same price £12 odd , which seems like a good deal.

this has got me thinking that if I am going to replace it , I may as well fit the Mod Wise magnetic boot opening kit , as I have been in & out of the car all afternoon pressing the boot release button. does anyone know if the Mod Wise kit still uses the original solenoid as I don't want to order one if I don't need it later if I get a Mod Wise kit.

thanks again , Doug

[Quinny]

Yes the modwise kit uses the original solenoid.....

The chap that runs modwise is on holiday until 21st July

[DOUG GRIFF]

thanks for that. I will order a solenoid & a Mod Wise magnetic kit as well , as if I am working in the boot I may get it all done at once.

thanks again , Doug

[Quinny]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/2-wire-door-lock-motor-y...

[DOUG GRIFF]

thanks Quinny, I have ordered one to collect from my local store - I did do a search but nothing came up - the saved postage & money saved on the part can go towards the Mod Wise kit ! best regards , Doug

[quattrophenia]

now that your in successfully, please could someone tell me the secret way in. I still havn't found out and the thought of going away in the car for a week with everything in the boot and it not opening is worrying!

[DOUG GRIFF]

I have replaced the solenoid today & its still dead. I am thinking now I need to test to make sure power is getting to it ? if I dig out my multi-meter does anyone know what I am hoping to get when the boot opening button is pressed ? I am assuming I connect one clip to each wire > the solenoid ( 2 wires ) , set it to volts ? & see if I am getting power when the switch is pressed.

thanks for your continued help , Doug