Trunk does not latch?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHRYSLER 300
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 164,000 MILES
Bought a car where the trunk just lays there and does not latch. Looked and found the cable. Can you look at pictures and tell me if you see something that isn't right? I don't know how they supposed to look and if anything is bent or the cable just need to be connected.
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Friday, November 17th, 2023 AT 5:32 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,622 POSTS
It looks like the latch is closed and the activation cable is off, or the latch is broken. Please go over this guide to help release the latch you will need to pull the cable attachment on the trunk latch while following the guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-door-hood-or-trunk-will-not-close

Here is how to replace the latch if it is broken. Also, I would check the striker adjustment as well. Thanks for the images they help. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Friday, November 17th, 2023 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1,786 POSTS
Using my hand, I returned the cable back and forth and it works. The latch is open. I adjusted the striker to be up but still did not close. Removed the striker and locked it to latch and it locked. No matter what I do I cannot get it to lock when it's on. I adjusted it right left up and down nothing works.
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Saturday, November 18th, 2023 AT 9:11 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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I would replace the latch, it sounds like it is bad.
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Saturday, November 18th, 2023 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1,786 POSTS
But the latch latches when I move it by hand and locks, and when I attach the striker to it after I remove it it latches too.
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Saturday, November 18th, 2023 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,622 POSTS
Okay, that sounds like the latch is good. It must be an adjustment issue then can you upload a video of the problem?
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Monday, November 20th, 2023 AT 7:22 AM

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