I ran to town to pick up an H7 replacement bulb, started to open the trunk, and the lever won't budge! It has a slight amount of wiggle in the lever itself, but once it "engages" I can't make it budge a single mm. It has always worked perfectly before with a very easy pull... Any ideas? I did place my son's swim bag in the trunk last night (in the dark) but can't imagine it having any part that could get in the way of the latch. Thoughts?

Of course... This would happen when I'm about to replace a burned out headlight and stereo amp....

 

Have someone help you out. Have one person press on it just above the latch (careful not to dent it) while the other works the lever. A light bounce or two might do it.

 

Is there any chance the emergency trunk release cable has been moved to the tow hole? If not, it's more or less behind the drivers side turn signal. Although it's probably easier to pull the wheel and liner off. From what you are describing it sounds like the cable is still intact but the mechanism is jammed, so the Bowden (emergency) cable should still function. Good luck.

 

I've tried that a few times, as well. I had someone press down in varying pressures on the emblem, and even had them "bounce" a bit. Didn't change a thing. Is it possible that something fell under/into the latch release to the left of the driver's seat? I'm not sure how that mechanism works.

On Google I saw some reference to a release around the right bumper... Is there a second release?

 

Lordvicious... Where exactly is the emergency release located again??

Btw... Sorry for the double post.

Okay... Just googled emergency trunk release and all I found was a post for a 2001 996 tt. The release on that car was on the passenger side under the right front wheel well that required the removal of the right front wheel as well as well as the lining. Sound correct? My car is a 2000... Not a 2001. Would it be the same?

Okay... Just found the following article. It says the cable is located at the passenger front headlight assembly, and to access it the headlight has to be removed. Problem... Doesn't the trunk have to be open to remove the bolt for the headlight assembly??? Here's the link... It also has a diagram...
http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_5/W..._Scenario.html

 

oops, dang it, my bad, you have a 2000. This is a little tricky, slide a plastic wedge tool under the passenger side light and lift up a bit. Hopefully you will see the cable loop. Other wise the whole bumper cover needs to come off. And when your done, stuff the cable down in the tow hole.

 

No way to see/access it from the side marker light right behind the headlight??

 

It all depends on where the cable has been routed in the past. I found mine down in the front bumper support area when I removed my front bumper cover - it's now routed into the cooling duct on the passenger side if I ever need it. Unfortunately, it's impossible to know exactly where you may find it.

If you have ramps, you might drive the front end up on the ramps and pop your head under the front bumper cover and have a look.

 

The emergency release is on the right side of the car. It is in front of the wheel liner.
You will have to remove the right front wheel and the front of the wheel liner to get access.
Sometimes you can see/get to it by removing the side marker light, pull the rear of the light, locked in by a spring, away from the fender it will unclip. Then slide the light towards the rear, about 1/8" and it will come out.
You can then get a flashlight and look for the release cable. If you see it there is a good chance that you can hook it out with a bent coat hanger.

All of that said if the bag has been squashed by the hood causing pressure on the latch, you will probably just break the cable pulling on it.
Once again have someone push on the hood IN FRONT OF THE EMBLEM, NOT ON IT! you will bend the hood. While they are applying steady firm pressure on the hood between the emblem and the front edge try the release again.

 

Wrong, just peel back part of the passenger wheel liner and get a nice flashlight in there. You will eventually see it and be able to fish it out. Also on mk1's, or non-turbo front end mk2's, it's better to route the cable to front grill area IMO. BTW the cable is steel and you'd have to pull it with a mini tractor to break it.





You can just tuck it up out of the way when not in use.

 

Based on your avatar, someone's obviously already had the front bumper off the car. Maybe they were useful and routed the cable at that time. If you can get the nose up and look around under there with a flashlight, you may be pleasantly surprised. Even if you're NOT pleasantly surprised, fpb111's coat hanger and a flashlight may give you enough of a glimpse of the cable - it's just a bare steel braided line - to be able to fish it out and use it to release the front trunk.

If the issue is something jammed in the latch - like a strap on the swim bag, maybe - you may still have better luck with the normal release lever and some assistance at the front of the car as described above.

 

fpb111--Got it!!!! As soon as I pressed in front of the emblem it gave a good 1/4" and the trunk popped right open. I've tested it out a few times and it works perfectly. Wow... so glad you posted this. I was about to pop off the right front tire in search of the emergency release!

Just saw the other comments. I'm about to remove the passenger headlamp assembly to replace the low bean bulb. I'll see if I can find the cable and reroute for easier access just in case...

 

Incorrect. As you can see from your own picture if you attempt to pull it from inside the wheel well you will be pulling around a corner. Given that we believe the mechanism is jammed I believe we are going to need a straight pull on the cable, probably with great force, to get the mechanism to clear. Bottom line, however the poster can get to the cable might work, but fishing it out from under the light is the correct, easiest, and best solution given the situation. It's also how the manual says to do it

 

Now would be a good time to lubricate the latch assembly to prevent future stickage.

 

Good JOB! Celebrate, Have a libation!