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Trunk won't close without slamming. Trunk light never turns off.

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by jamesprius, Sep 1, 2023.

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  1. Trombone

    Trombone Member

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    #21 Trombone, Sep 12, 2023
  2. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

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    I have yes, that why it's all wet in that photo with WD-40 :). I could try putting another layer on.

    I'm wondering if the spring tension is too high? When you close the trunk the striking latch pushes up the plastic hook, which pulls the spring and the yellow piece on the right to hold the latch in the place. When you slam the trunk, it cause the spring to expand more and locks it's in place. Either that or the striking latch is not coming up far enough.
     
    #22 jamesprius, Sep 12, 2023
  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Neither WD-40 nor CRC 5-56 would be a good choice in the long term. In the short term, they would be useful (with CRC 5-56 being the better choice) from a cleaning standpoint but you would be better using a spray on (or a brush on) grease of some substance once the contact surfaces were thoroughly cleaned.

    However, I don't think that is really going to solve the issue. Usually when you need to slam two parts together to get them to latch it is an alignment issue. As you have indicated there does not seem to be any adjustment option, which would indicate there is some deformation around the attachment points of the latch parts. I don't know whether it would be an option to shim the hook part, but you need to somehow bring the two parts closer together. Maybe you just need some old-fashioned panel readjustment.
     
    #23 dolj, Sep 13, 2023
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2023
  4. Trombone

    Trombone Member

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    What dolj said. White lithium would be my choice; comes in a spray can (CRC product), also in a tube, if you can find it. Try automotive and hardware stores. (BTW, never WD-40!)

    Looking at your photo (https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2023/09/242267_PXL_20230901_215239588.jpg), notice the ragged edge on the left inverted "V". That's a probable sign of unwanted contact with the striker, which is either too far to the left, or the V is too far to the right. Loosen all relevant attachment points and see if you can re-postiion them, even if only slightly, to eliminate the unwanted contact. The striker should not even touch the "V". You might have to involve the trunk lid, too.
     
    #24 Trombone, Sep 13, 2023
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2023
  5. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

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    Makes sense.

    I'm pretty sure it happen when the spoiler was impacted. Here is the side from the first post.

    https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2023/09/242270_PXL_20230901_221213283.jpg

    Which probably moved the deformed the trunk lid slightly and moved. the top bracket.

    I removed both top and bottom brackets but it's still about the same. There isn't any wiggle room.

    The left side of the V is ragged from all the times the trunk was slammed I would assume.

    Rebending the lid seems difficult and hard to get it accurate. I may try to wrap the striker with zip tie or fuzzy wire to make it taller temporarily to see if it contacts the top better.
     
    #25 jamesprius, Sep 13, 2023
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