Trunk release - 1965

1965_F85 · February 12th, 2006, 11:59 PM

I just bought a 1965 Cutlass F-85. I didn't check the trunk while I was looking at the car and now that I bought it I can't open it. I have the key but seller said it is supposed to be finessed using it. The trunk release button in the glove compartment doesn't work. What do I have to do to get that trunk release button to work?

Oldsguy · February 14th, 2006, 05:49 AM

If that button is electric you need to make sure all your fuses are good and then make sure you have good wiring to the button and have 12 volts to it. If you do then make sure that there isn't damaged wiring from the button to the trunk. It is most likely routed down the passenger side under the stainless door sill strips. If the wiring has been damaged then that might be why the fuse which supplies that circuit has blown if you found a blown fuse earlier and it kept blowing when you replaced it. At any rate if you do all that and the trunk release still doesn't work remove the back panel of the back seat and see if you can get a really small neigbor kid to squeeze through one of those holes and operate the realease from inside the trunk. Of course run a drop light in there first. If junk or a spare tire is in the way then your hosed. All it takes to operate a trunk release from inside is a small straight blade screwdriver on most GM cars. If all that does'nt work, or you might try this first, get a new key cut from the old one, the finessing the PO described might be due to the worn key and a new one might work.

1965_F85 · February 14th, 2006, 07:22 PM

I'll have to give that a look-see. The PO gave me a second set of copied keys for the doors and trunk and I can't get that one to work either. Though, I think I was told that it is vacuum operated. I've been perusing the http://www.tocmp.com website in the wiring diagrams and I can't find the trunk release button. What I do know is that when I do get that trunk open it's going to be time to replace that lock.

Thanks for the reply.

Oldsguy · February 15th, 2006, 05:38 AM

Yeah, I was thinking in the back of my mind that it might be vaccum but thought that was only the B bodies. If it is, it could be a vaccum leak anywhere...

Impin' · April 21st, 2007, 03:03 PM

Believe it or not, I've gotten trunk and door locks to work by spraying WD-40 into the key hole. I guess the elements create friction that the key sometimes can't overcome.

Let us know the resolution.

February 12th, 2006, 11:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
1965_F85 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5	Trunk release - 1965 I just bought a 1965 Cutlass F-85. I didn't check the trunk while I was looking at the car and now that I bought it I can't open it. I have the key but seller said it is supposed to be finessed using it. The trunk release button in the glove compartment doesn't work. What do I have to do to get that trunk release button to work?

February 14th, 2006, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,315	If that button is electric you need to make sure all your fuses are good and then make sure you have good wiring to the button and have 12 volts to it. If you do then make sure that there isn't damaged wiring from the button to the trunk. It is most likely routed down the passenger side under the stainless door sill strips. If the wiring has been damaged then that might be why the fuse which supplies that circuit has blown if you found a blown fuse earlier and it kept blowing when you replaced it. At any rate if you do all that and the trunk release still doesn't work remove the back panel of the back seat and see if you can get a really small neigbor kid to squeeze through one of those holes and operate the realease from inside the trunk. Of course run a drop light in there first. If junk or a spare tire is in the way then your hosed. All it takes to operate a trunk release from inside is a small straight blade screwdriver on most GM cars. If all that does'nt work, or you might try this first, get a new key cut from the old one, the finessing the PO described might be due to the worn key and a new one might work. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

February 15th, 2006, 05:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,315	Yeah, I was thinking in the back of my mind that it might be vaccum but thought that was only the B bodies. If it is, it could be a vaccum leak anywhere... __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

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February 14th, 2006, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
1965_F85 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5	I'll have to give that a look-see. The PO gave me a second set of copied keys for the doors and trunk and I can't get that one to work either. Though, I think I was told that it is vacuum operated. I've been perusing the http://www.tocmp.com website in the wiring diagrams and I can't find the trunk release button. What I do know is that when I do get that trunk open it's going to be time to replace that lock. Thanks for the reply.

April 21st, 2007, 03:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Impin' Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 41	Believe it or not, I've gotten trunk and door locks to work by spraying WD-40 into the key hole. I guess the elements create friction that the key sometimes can't overcome. Let us know the resolution.