Can't open rear trunk

[marilynmichael]

I cannot get the rear trunk to open on my 2001 Boxster S.

The background/symptoms:

1. It used to open using both the key and the switch next to the driver seat.

2. The key fob battery went completely dead and I changed the battery myself.

3. When clicking the key fob it makes the 'mechanical sound' like it will open--but does not 'come up'

4. When flipping the switch next to the driver seat, it does the same thing: makes the 'mechanical sound' (the 'normal sound')--but does not come up or open

5. The front trunk opens fine with both the switch and the key fob.

6. The doors look and unlock fine with the key fob.

Any help would be mightily appreciated.

[RFM]

The cable coming from the electric motor to the latch is probably broken, if you can hear the motor noise. Use the emergency cable in the rear left wheel well near the bumper to open the trunk. Do a search, it happens regularly.

[marilynmichael]

The cable coming from the electric motor to the latch is probably broken, if you can hear the motor noise. Use the emergency cable in the rear left wheel well near the bumper to open the trunk. Do a search, it happens regularly.

OK. I have tried:

- searching around on the site for more details but I can't find anything about this. Lots of things about front trunks not opening, doors, etc. But nothing about the rear trunk not opening and still making the 'mechanical' sound. What you suggest--the latch being broken--sounds reasonable, but I mean--nothing was done except the battery running out in the remote and changing it. It is hard for me to imagine that the cable would be broken.

- I have also crawled all around the wheel wells (both left and right) under the rear bumper..etc to no avail. I cannot find the emergency cable. Is it hidden 'under' a flap or something? I have push, proded and pulled anything I can find.

Thanks for your help.

[sc00ter18]

look at the owners manual for instructions

[juniinc]

there are 2 cables for the rear, hard to believe both cables are broken.

broken/sticky latch? Have someone disengage the lever under the door & see if you can hear the latch releasing,,,

maybe its just not coming up, might have to pry it up?

[marilynmichael]

there are 2 cables for the rear, hard to believe both cables are broken.

broken/sticky latch? Have someone disengage the lever under the door & see if you can hear the latch releasing,,,

maybe its just not coming up, might have to pry it up?

Well, I read the users manual and didn't find anything about an emergency cable location. Only about jumping from the fuse box. But that is not the problem. I have battery and plenty of it. Everything works fine except the rear lid won't open.

I did hunt around and saw something about finding the emergency cable release by taking off the rear tire, and a few other things.

When I flip the switch next to the drivers seat or use the key fob, everything 'sounds' like it works fine. You go back and the lid is not open and it is shut like a drum. It does not seems like a broken cable(s) -- 2! to me.

I guess I'll try to pry it 'gently' while someone pops the switch/fob as suggested, but it really seems 'locked'.

What I was thinking is that since this all started with the key fob battery running out and changing that--that something needed to be 'reprogrammed' or 'reset' on the fob, alarm system, whatever. I hunted around and someone said something about putting the key in and pressing the fob open button for 10 seconds or something...but it wasn't clear.

Any help on something else beside physical force (which I'll try in the morning..) is greatly appreciated.

Michael

[tsquareweb]

Nothing has to be reprogrammed when the battery is changed. I researched it too. Mine has the front, back and gas tank locked down and won’t open. They all make a noise like it is working, but nothing opens except the doors. I was told by the dealer they had to change out all of the actuators.

[Tool Pants]

The emergency release is hidden behind the aluminum heat shield on the drivers side. You will have to pull the heat shield back and see if you can find it. It is a stranded cable with a pull loop on the end.

The only picture I could find shows it with the bumper cover off. But you can get to it with the cover on.

[Rab-Eye]

I cannot get the rear trunk to open on my 2001 Boxster S.

The background/symptoms:

1. It used to open using both the key and the switch next to the driver seat.

2. The key fob battery went completely dead and I changed the battery myself.

3. When clicking the key fob it makes the 'mechanical sound' like it will open--but does not 'come up'

4. When flipping the switch next to the driver seat, it does the same thing: makes the 'mechanical sound' (the 'normal sound')--but does not come up or open

5. The front trunk opens fine with both the switch and the key fob.

6. The doors look and unlock fine with the key fob.

Any help would be mightily appreciated.

I have the same car and the same problem. Did you ever solve the issue? I can't find the cable they are talking about

[david.hiebert]

I found my emergency release cable behind the driver's side rear wheel plastic wheel housing, towards the rear bumper. I had to remove the rear wheel to gain access to the plastic screw and the plastic nut that holds the plastic housing to the frame of the car. I didn't have to remove the housing entirely, though. I just removed the two fasteners and pulled the housing enough so I could see into the area behind it with a flash light. Lo and behold, the emergency release cable was sitting there waiting to be fished out!