Trunk Latch, Modified and Stuck Options

[Buckeye '73]

FYI - IT WAS AN EASY FIX.

DAY 1 & 2, I ACCESSED THE CABLE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND YANKED.
DAY 3 & 4, FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, I HELD THE "OUTER CABLE MOUNT" IN ONE HAND AND PULLED THE "INNER CABLE HANDLE" WITH THE OTHER.

PIECE OF CAKE!!!

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Hey All!

I've inheirited my late grandfather's 1973 914 and will be flying to Albequeque Wednesday to drive it back to Dayton, Ohio.

Someone added a "Porsche" reflector across the back and modified the latch mechanism. (See photo)

Instead of the "push button", there is now a lever/cable type system that runs into the cabin.

When you pull the lever, the trunk doesn't open....

I won't know until I get out there if the latch is stuck or if the cable has broke loose.

Any ideas on getting into the rear trunk to fix the problem??

If not, we'll have a long ride in a convertable WITH the top on... No fun!

Thanks,
Bryce

[SirAndy]

QUOTE (Cap'n Krusty @ Oct 17 2005, 12:10 PM)

Savvy installers plan for the day when this "feature" of the reflector mod happens (and it WILL happen), and put a wire down through the trunk floor between the body and the heat shield. look for it. If there's no other way, you can get a bunch of locking 1/4" drive extensions and a 10mm socket, remove the trunk firewall gasket, and remove the latch. Tedious and frustrating, but it CAN be done. The Cap'n

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif)

i had good luck with a metal coat hanger. unfold it and make a little hook on one end. open engine lid and remove one of the round plastic cups in the trunk wall.
ideally, have a friend help you out with a flashlight through the other cup-hole on the opposite side.

use the coathanger to pull back the latch. also helps to have said friend pull up the hood once you get the hanger hooked to the latch.

took about 10 minutes of fiddeling ...
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smash.gif) Andy