I've been lurking on this sight for months without anything of any real value to contribute except maybe a few comments. Today, I think I may have something of worth to post...
I was given a 914 over a year ago and have been looking it over in my spare time to see if it is salvageable. A problem arose with the trunk. I had no idea how to open it. In the place of the standard lockable push button release was a reflector that spanned the distance between the tail lights.
I was given a few suggestions by some local folks that involved busting out a tail light or cutting a hole in various locations. None of these solutions appealed to me as I'm on a chump change budget and don't want to replace parts unnecessarily.
While reading posts here, I learned that a dealer option often was installed on these cars and an electric solenoid operated the trunk release by a dash mounted momentary toggle switch.
My first attempt was to put jumper cables on the battery and try the switch. Nothing happened.
Next, I put some weight on the trunk just above the latch to reduce any friction at the latch/catch interface. Again, nothing.
Then, I pulled the toggle switch and tried to power it separately. The wire I imagined went to the solenoid got warm, but still, nothing.
Then, I thought I'd try something mechanical and looked to disconnect the trunk hinges. Any fasteners securing the hinges looked inaccessible. And after looking at the torsion mechanism that assisted raising the trunk lid, I imagined that the amount of stored energy in them may be dangerous if they got away from me. I've gotten used to having teeth and have grown quite fond of them...
After looking at a gazillion photos of member's trunk interiors, I thought maybe the two pieces just behind the shock towers might be removable and provide a better entryway. They were plastic and looked to be removed by pulling them into the engine compartment.
On a relatively warm day a month or so ago, I pulled them out without any damage. Things were looking up...
Spoiler alert! I did get it open and I'll post photos and a explanation of how I did it...
If this helps just one member here...
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