Jenny Webster Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 My trunk assist motor quit working. Local mechanic tells me the motor needs replaced. I don't mean to sound like this is going to sound, but it's evident from other issues he's not too up on Caddy repairs. He was going to order the part for me a couple times... never did. There was always something else more pressing to fix so it never got done.In the mean time I read that sometimes the trunk assist motor is NOT the issue, that it is the latch. If the latch is broken and it won't close, the motor won engage. I looked at the latch and it was obvious from a quick look that the latch is broken. So the problem is at LEAST the latch and maybe too, the motor, am I right to make this assumption? Then I run into a guy in a parking lot (driving a beautiful 93 deville!!) who tells me that I can override the whole system (the motor) --disengage it and just use the latch with the key. Well, because of finances and TIME right now (moving in two weeks, they've already had my car two weeks and haven't started working on it *eye roll*) I really just want to fix the latch and use the key. I bring this up to the mechanic and he tells me that that can't be done. So, brilliant Caddy minds.... is he right? What are my options? Thanks!(I will be posting more questions for this car --a couple things going on.) Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 There is an upper latch switch that most often goes bad from slamming the trunk. The second suspect is the lower latch switch. The wiring can also break where it flexes with the trunk hinge. The upper latch switch is easily checked with an ohm meter. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Webster Posted March 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 "There is an upper latch switch that most often goes bad from slamming the trunk."--I am sure that is it. It happened the second time I shut the trunk. This isn't my first caddy, but it had been a while. I slammed it.Looking at it, it's very clear the upper latch is broken. Can the mechanic just replace the latch to where I can use the key? One person told me that can be done and the mechanic said it cannot.Is the ohm meter used to see if the assist motor is is broken? Sorry, I don't know much. Thank you for your reply.Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 THe ohm meter is ised to test the upper switch when it is unplugged. No need for that since you reported the upper switch is broken. The switch used to be available at the dealer parts counter. I'd try that - if it has been discontinued, a junkyard is the next option. The last time I bought an upper switch, it was $14.00 at the dealer. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Webster Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Can the motor be overriden? My mechanic wants to charge me $200 to replace that, when I frankly don't care if the motor works or not. I just want to be able to use my trunk manually so that I can remove the duct tape holding it shut --Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 If you can get the motor in the down position...then unplug the motor. It will work with just the key like you want. Logan Diagnostic LLC www.airbagcrash.com www.ledfix.com www.ledfix.com/yukontaillightrepair.html www.ledfix.com/ledreplacements.html www.ledfix.com/j42385toolrental.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 If you can't get the motor to activate, your mechanic will need to tear into the mechanism to get it to retract enough to manually close the trunk. The labor alone in doing that will exceed the cost of the switch. The switch can be changed in 5 minutes - it is held in place with two screws and has one electrical connector. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Webster Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 OK... Please forgive me, I guess I don't really understand the best course of action. I am moving in a week and a half. This mechanic is not quick getting anything done. And money is tight. Is there a quick, cheap way I should go here? What is the best course of action? When you say replace the switch do you mean the whole trunk assist motor? I would like to have access to my truck for the move, but not if it's going to cost a couple hundred to do it. I was hoping a new latch and just using the key was a cheap fix? Are you saying that is not the case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 When you say replace the switch do you mean the whole trunk assist motor? I would like to have access to my truck for the move, but not if it's going to cost a couple hundred to do it. I was hoping a new latch and just using the key was a cheap fix? Are you saying that is not the case? Look at the upper switch that is attached to the trunk lid - you stated it was visibly broken in your earlier post. That is the switch that can be replaced for far less than the whole assembly. It can be changed in 5 minutes... Unplug the switch and short the contacts in the wire harness together using a paper clip or piece of wire and if the motor runs, you've confirmed the upper switch is bad. If you pay your mechanic to disassemble the motor assembly and mess around with it for an hour or two that would cost more than just replacing the switch. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Webster Posted March 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Thank you!! And thank you for your patience with me! I learn more and more about cars one broken part at a time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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