Rear deck lid won't close
#1
Rear deck lid won't close
Hi all
As the title says, my rear deck lid won't shut. I was showing someone the engine bay today and it wouldn't latch back into place after, though if you push it it goes down as if it were shut (but then springs open again).
The engine bay light is left on so I'm worried it will run the battery flat too.
I attach a picture of the latch.
Could this be a broken switch? There's nothing obviously wrong with it.
As the title says, my rear deck lid won't shut. I was showing someone the engine bay today and it wouldn't latch back into place after, though if you push it it goes down as if it were shut (but then springs open again).
The engine bay light is left on so I'm worried it will run the battery flat too.
I attach a picture of the latch.
Could this be a broken switch? There's nothing obviously wrong with it.
#3
Burning Brakes
I haven't had the latch fail on me. But an easy way to figure out what's going on would be to just remove the D-ring from the decklid and simulate the latching.
I think the D ring is attached using T-25 torx bolts. This test would tell you if there's something wrong mechanically.
It could also be the switch itself in the doorsill - not sure if durametric or foxwell might give you any error codes etc for these.
I think the D ring is attached using T-25 torx bolts. This test would tell you if there's something wrong mechanically.
It could also be the switch itself in the doorsill - not sure if durametric or foxwell might give you any error codes etc for these.
#4
I haven't had the latch fail on me. But an easy way to figure out what's going on would be to just remove the D-ring from the decklid and simulate the latching.
I think the D ring is attached using T-25 torx bolts. This test would tell you if there's something wrong mechanically.
It could also be the switch itself in the doorsill - not sure if durametric or foxwell might give you any error codes etc for these.
I think the D ring is attached using T-25 torx bolts. This test would tell you if there's something wrong mechanically.
It could also be the switch itself in the doorsill - not sure if durametric or foxwell might give you any error codes etc for these.
Why would removing the d ring (which I can easily do, I have the tools etc.) help to diagnose the problem?
Unfortunately I don't have either of those two diagnostic tools to hand.
#5
Update. I've removed the d ring as instructed. The lid closes so that verifies there's no obstruction.
The d ring, when I try to push it in to the latch, doesn't catch.
So this must mean it is a mechanical fault with the latch itself or a fault with the switch, right?
Edit: and when I switch on the engine I get the same error message re the lid not being closed.
The d ring, when I try to push it in to the latch, doesn't catch.
So this must mean it is a mechanical fault with the latch itself or a fault with the switch, right?
Edit: and when I switch on the engine I get the same error message re the lid not being closed.
Last edited by YT61MH; 08-15-2021 at 05:44 PM.
#6
Rennlist Member
I assume you opened the deck lid with the electric switch and you heard it release? What happens when you active the switch in the cabin again, do you here the solenoid activate.
Seems like the locking pin is stuck and not returning to the proper position to engage with the latch when you close lid.
I don't have a 997 to experiment with but on the 996 one could leave the deck lid up and close the latch mechanism with hand/fingers (latch is locked shut position), then unlock it with electric switch in cabin.
Seems like the locking pin is stuck and not returning to the proper position to engage with the latch when you close lid.
I don't have a 997 to experiment with but on the 996 one could leave the deck lid up and close the latch mechanism with hand/fingers (latch is locked shut position), then unlock it with electric switch in cabin.
Last edited by enthusiast; 08-15-2021 at 06:00 PM.
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63mercedes (08-15-2021)
#7
I assume you opened the deck lid with the electric switch and you heard it release? What happens when you active the switch in the cabin again, do you here the solenoid activate.
Seems like the locking pin is stuck and not returning to the proper position to engage with the latch when you close lid.
I don't have a 997 to experiment with but on the 996 one could leave the deck lid up and close the latch mechanism with hand/fingers (latch is locked shut position), then unlock it with electric switch in cabin.
Seems like the locking pin is stuck and not returning to the proper position to engage with the latch when you close lid.
I don't have a 997 to experiment with but on the 996 one could leave the deck lid up and close the latch mechanism with hand/fingers (latch is locked shut position), then unlock it with electric switch in cabin.
When I use the same switch, I hear a bit of a clicking sound but nothing happens. Nothing visibly happens in the engine bay.
I'm not really sure how to actually try to close the latch manually in the way you have described. I have tried pushing the d ring in there but it doesn't 'catch' if that makes sense.
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#8
Rennlist Member
Did you remove the light bulb from the light assembly to save your battery power?
Back to the latching mechanism... what should happen in the closing process is the 'D' ring on the lid contacts a metal jaw in the latch assembly, as the 'D' presses against the jaw, the jaw rotates or moves until a spring loaded rod/bar slides into a detent/hole/notch in the jaw. The jaw is now locked in position holding the 'D' ring lid in place.
Back to the latching mechanism... what should happen in the closing process is the 'D' ring on the lid contacts a metal jaw in the latch assembly, as the 'D' presses against the jaw, the jaw rotates or moves until a spring loaded rod/bar slides into a detent/hole/notch in the jaw. The jaw is now locked in position holding the 'D' ring lid in place.
Last edited by enthusiast; 08-15-2021 at 06:32 PM.
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Snakebit (08-15-2021)
#9
Did you remove the light bulb from the light assembly to save your battery power?
Back to the latching mechanism... what should happen in the closing process is the 'D' ring on the lid contacts a metal jaw in the latch assembly, as the 'D' presses against the jaw, the jaw rotates or moves until a spring loaded rod/bar slides into a detent/hoe/notch in the jaw. The jaw is now locked in position holding the 'D' ring.
Back to the latching mechanism... what should happen in the closing process is the 'D' ring on the lid contacts a metal jaw in the latch assembly, as the 'D' presses against the jaw, the jaw rotates or moves until a spring loaded rod/bar slides into a detent/hoe/notch in the jaw. The jaw is now locked in position holding the 'D' ring.
That makes sense. What's happening in my case is that nothing like that happens. The rod/bar doesn't seem to be engaging. I wonder if I ought to spray some PB blaster in there? Could it do any harm?!
Would you say this sounds like a problem with the latch rather than the switch?
#10
Rennlist Member
Based on this pic, your Dring should be able to bottom out in the slot. Does yours when you do it with your hand?
#11
Maybe have someone pull the switch as ur pulling up on it with a screwdriver or a miscellaneous d ring. If it's stuck and you get it free a graphite dry lube could be useful.
#12
Rennlist Member
I do not know if your latch assembly has electrical components inside, so cannot recommend using any liquids. Some latches have an electrical solenoid that releases the locking rod/bar/pin that in turn allows the spring loaded jaw to move thus releasing the 'D' ring.
The good news is your engine lid and latch are not stuck in the closed position (but there is an emergency release for that situation)
The good news is your engine lid and latch are not stuck in the closed position (but there is an emergency release for that situation)
Last edited by enthusiast; 08-15-2021 at 06:47 PM.
#13
#14
I do not know if your latch assembly has electrical components inside, so cannot recommend using any liquids. Some latches have an electrical solenoid that releases the locking rod/bar/pin that in turn allows the spring loaded jaw to move thus releasing the 'D' ring.
The good news is your engine lid and latch are not stuck in the closed position (but there is an emergency release for that situation)
The good news is your engine lid and latch are not stuck in the closed position (but there is an emergency release for that situation)
#15
Hey. Thanks for the suggestion. What should I be pulling up on with the latch? Do you mean put the d ring in there and try to get it to catch.