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Trunk won’t open

Brycen

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I just recently started a 1956 Plymouth savoy project and I had the trunk open once but now I can’t get it open. Any suggestions?
 
When I got my '73 Charger it had no keys. The doors weren't locked. I took the back seat out and and wormed into the trunk and removed the locking mechanism. No damage to the trunk.
 
wd-40 into the lock , insert key, push down on the lid above the latch while turning the key
 
When I got my '73 Charger it had no keys. The doors weren't locked. I took the back seat out and and wormed into the trunk and removed the locking mechanism. No damage to the trunk.
Thank you! I was able to get back there but I can’t see anything right now, I’ll try more tomorrow.
 
It was twenty years ago, so how exactly I did it I don't know, but that's what I did.
 
Thank you! I was able to get back there but I can’t see anything right now, I’ll try more tomorrow.

Take a flashlight with you this time!
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I have a strange trunk lock. We have tried WD-40 and the powdered graphite but the same problem comes back. The key won't turn. But if I keep at it, sometimes after 10 tries, sometimes after 100 tries, it suddenly turns and opens. Pushing down on the trunk does not seem to make any difference.

Since the vehicle ('65 Valiant convertible) is not running and parked in the back yard, I left the trunk key in the lock the other day. Now I find anytime I want to open the trunk, I turn the key once and it opens just fine! However, if I remove the key, it's the same old hit and miss routine. Weird.
 
I have a strange trunk lock. We have tried WD-40 and the powdered graphite but the same problem comes back. The key won't turn. But if I keep at it, sometimes after 10 tries, sometimes after 100 tries, it suddenly turns and opens. Pushing down on the trunk does not seem to make any difference.

Since the vehicle ('65 Valiant convertible) is not running and parked in the back yard, I left the trunk key in the lock the other day. Now I find anytime I want to open the trunk, I turn the key once and it opens just fine! However, if I remove the key, it's the same old hit and miss routine. Weird.

The tumblers aren't quite where they should be, the key is probably worn... Once the tumblers get to the right spot the cylinder will turn... As long as you don't remove the key the tumblers stay in position... When you pull the key out the tumblers shift & when you re-insert the key the tumblers are once again not exactly where they need to be...

Any old School locksmith could look at your key & likely know exactly how to cut a new key that works...
 
Or you could fix it yourself with an extra lock cylinder and about 30 min of time.

...or possibly simply remove the offending pins and have a working cylinder with 4 instead of 5 pins.
 
To the OP-

Crawling through is not super fun, but beats paying someone.

You should be able to turn the mechanism with a large flat blade screwdriver, but may need to unbolt either the latch or the loop, depending on which bolts are easier to get to on your car.

Long extensions help.

...and Murphy's law clearly states the the last bolt will be one of those where it's too tight to turn by hand but too loose to engage the ratchet mechanism.
 
Uh, I just reread and this is on a 56?

Typical Mopar trunk techniques may not apply.

Sorry.
 
I have a strange trunk lock. We have tried WD-40 and the powdered graphite but the same problem comes back. The key won't turn. But if I keep at it, sometimes after 10 tries, sometimes after 100 tries, it suddenly turns and opens. Pushing down on the trunk does not seem to make any difference.

Since the vehicle ('65 Valiant convertible) is not running and parked in the back yard, I left the trunk key in the lock the other day. Now I find anytime I want to open the trunk, I turn the key once and it opens just fine! However, if I remove the key, it's the same old hit and miss routine. Weird.
Pull the lock cylinder apart and change the tumblers. Most likely they are corroded and only slide when they feel like it. Easy to do. Take it to any locksmith to get new tumblers. Make sure and replace each one with the same length and in the same slot if you want to re-use your stock key. Otherwise, just buy a new cylinder on Ebay. The time to do it is NOW. Sooner or later it will make more work for you. 60 years of experience taught me that...lol.
 
welcome to FBBO
 
I was able to get it open, I crawled through and took the latch off. Once I got a better look I was able to fully lubricate the locking mechanism and now it woks perfectly.
 
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