How Do You Repair Trunk When The Latch Is Broken In A 2001 Toyota Corolla

Dear Tom and Ray:

My blood brother-in-law, who lives the adjacent state over, has a 2007 Toyota Corolla. His trunk no longer opens. He lives frugally, so it would really exist practiced if the two of us could find the root cause and fix it. We met halfway betwixt our houses at an ice-cream shop parking lot, and pried the back seat forrard. Then I crawled into the body to appraise what I could.

The central turns, and a wire strut looks like it moves. There is a plastic lever with the paradigm of a car and torso opening, which I thought would relieve united states. No luck. I pulled information technology down, just nothing happened or clicked. Something is just not hooked upwards right, and we don't know what it is or why. Equally we were experiencing a heat wave at the time, I did not spend too much more time poking around in the trunk. What do you suggest we do adjacent?

-- Eric

RAY: I'd wait for wintertime, Eric. It'south a lot cooler in the trunk that time of year.

TOM: Sounds like the latch is broken. Yous accept ii mechanisms that are supposed to brand the latch disengage (the cardinal, and the emergency release lever inside the body). Neither one actuated the latch. So it'south probably the latch itself.

RAY: So you should effort to unlatch the matter, manually, from the inside. I don't have a mental map of an '07 Corolla trunk latch, merely what y'all want to do is try to flip the latch hook with a screwdriver and then information technology releases its hold on the U-bolt that'southward holding the trunk chapeau closed.

TOM: We often have this problem with hood release latches. They rust out, or the cablevision breaks or sticks. We get underneath and release the latch with a screwdriver so we can repair the thing. Of course, hood latches are easier to get at from the grille or through the engine compartment, only it'south the same principle.

RAY: And so you need to get in there with a bright light, and run across if y'all tin can maneuver the latch mechanism with the correct size screwdriver and go information technology to release.

TOM: It'd be helpful if y'all could see one that works properly starting time. And so next time you see an '07 Corolla, inquire the driver if he tin lock you in his trunk for a while. Bring an oxygen tank. And pack a luncheon, in example y'all're in there for a while.

RAY: If you're unable to release the latch with a screwdriver, so you have to either try to unbolt the latch from the inside and remove it, or practise a "Law and Society" on it.

TOM: That'due south a crowbar, Eric. But that'll damage the body hat, and the fascia.

RAY: But ultimately, you'll probably take to remove the latch and either ready or replace information technology. Information technology's but easier to practice when the trunk is open up and yous have access to helpful accessories, like light and air. Proficient luck.