Trunk release not working

CIHAPET

MEMBER
2004 BUICK CENTURY
3.1L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
179,000 MILES

When trying to pop the trunk, pushing the button in the glove box or on my fob, I hear the click near the glove box, but the trunk doesn't release. This just started happening. I can open it just fine using the key.
I'm trying to figure out what needs to be replaced. I'd love to just be able to order the part from RockAuto. Com, or somewhere else, and just replace it. But I don't want to just 'shotgun' the repair either.

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Friday, March 5th, 2021 AT 8:25 PM

4 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

It sounds like you have a failed or faulty trunk latch actuator. I've attached picture steps below on how to replace the power trunk latch on your car. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Friday, March 5th, 2021 AT 11:45 PM

CIHAPET

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Finally got around to this again on my car. When I opened my trunk and swapped out the part, I decided to test it before closing the trunk. When I actuated the trunk release on my fob, it did not activate the latch at all. So, now I'm wondering where the problem is hiding. I'm hearing what I'm assuming is a relay when I push the button in the glovebox.

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Friday, August 13th, 2021 AT 9:56 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon,

I attached the wiring diagram and the location of the relay behind the glove box for you.

You need to test the wire from the relay to the motor to be sure it has power. If it does not replace the relay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

If it does then there is an open in the wire from the relay to the trunk release motor.

Roy

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Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 AT 9:53 AM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

We haven't heard back from you in a bit so we were just hoping for an update. You also mentioned the key fob wasn't activating the trunk latch after replacement. Here is a tutorial showing how to reprogram a key fob:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-re-program-a-key-remote-fob

If the problem still persists then what Roy mentioned there is possibly an open wire between the relay and latch. Keep us updated. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

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Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 AT 4:25 AM