The vacuum operated trunk release in my 1969 Cutlass Conv is not functioning. I have good vacuum through the lines all the way to the mechanism at the trunk latch.

The "plunger" inside the cylinder at the trunk release seems to lack an air-tight seal and does not allow the vacuum to pull the levers that turns the latch. When I manually pull the plunger, it releases the latch.

Can the unit be disassembled and repaired internally or am I best served simply replacing it? I can't imagine repair parts are available off the shelf for this.

Thanks!

 

Try spraying a little WD40 in it and see if the seal improves enough to operate. Past that, replacement is your best bet. Rubber diaphrams don't last forever.

 

if you can't get it to work i have one that does. i couldn't guarantee how long it will last because it is so old but it does work. $15 shipped. if you figure out you need it let me know.

 

Thanks for the advice and offers. After pulling the actuator unit and checking it more closely, the diaphragm may be OK. A more likely culprit here is a sticky lock cylinder that is hard to turn. When I get motivated, I'll remove it, clean and lube the cylinder to see if that works.

 

Anybody have a picture of the rod that goes from the trunk lock, through the trunk latch, to the vacuum operated trunk release unit? I pulled mine and it is pretty chewed up, with several bend and kinks. It lookes nothing like the flat, straight replacement that came with a new lock assembly.

I Just wanted to compare to make sure I have the correct one, since my vacuum powered trunk release is not working



Thanks

 

The correct ones for the vacuum application have a ball & socket type set up. I don't have any pictures, but they are specific to these & if you don't have the correct one, you're going to have a hard time finding one.

 

Thanks Scott

So it is confirmed my car came with the incorrect part. Well done P.O.

I'd still love to see a pic of the correct item if anyone has one.

 

This is the correct part from a file pic I have. It's not reproduced and no one has shown me a tweak yet to get something else to work. I have a complete set up and that is the only part I'm missing.

 

Thanks for the photo. That is an odd piece, and probably difficult to fabricate