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Thu Oct 21, 2021 6:55 am

So, the rear decklid was hard to close and I thought, “I can fix this…” so I adjusted the pin. And sure enough, it closed nice and easy. Perfect (I thought).

Then to open it……nope. Nothing. I can hear the latch moving the same as it did previously..but it is not releasing the pin.

I have tried to search and the only thing I have come up with is to remove the cooling boot to reach up and try to release.

Is this correct? Is there another way? Should I just leave the pin off once I do get it open?

Thanks in advance.

Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:11 pm

Essthreetee wrote: So, the rear decklid was hard to close and I thought, “I can fix this…” so I adjusted the pin. And sure enough, it closed nice and easy. Perfect (I thought).

Then to open it……nope. Nothing. I can hear the latch moving the same as it did previously..but it is not releasing the pin.

I have tried to search and the only thing I have come up with is to remove the cooling boot to reach up and try to release.

Is this correct? Is there another way? Should I just leave the pin off once I do get it open?

Thanks in advance.

As far as I know, that's the only way to get the pin out. You can reach up thru it (cooling boot opening) and pull the cable to see if it'll release the pin (you'll need a helper to lift the trunk lid).
What it sounds like is 1 of 2 things are happening, or both. One, is the release cable needs to be adjusted tighter, or two, the pin spring isn't pushing the pin out of the latch.
I'd check both once you get it open again.

Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:20 pm

Bobnotch wrote: Essthreetee wrote: So, the rear decklid was hard to close and I thought, “I can fix this…” so I adjusted the pin. And sure enough, it closed nice and easy. Perfect (I thought).

Then to open it……nope. Nothing. I can hear the latch moving the same as it did previously..but it is not releasing the pin.

I have tried to search and the only thing I have come up with is to remove the cooling boot to reach up and try to release.

Is this correct? Is there another way? Should I just leave the pin off once I do get it open?

Thanks in advance.

As far as I know, that's the only way to get the pin out. You can reach up thru it (cooling boot opening) and pull the cable to see if it'll release the pin (you'll need a helper to lift the trunk lid).
What it sounds like is 1 of 2 things are happening, or both. One, is the release cable needs to be adjusted tighter, or two, the pin spring isn't pushing the pin out of the latch.
I'd check both once you get it open again.

OK. I will try this this weekend. Thanks. I will document it for future reference….or help.

Thanks

Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:32 pm

After phlling the release handle (or having someone keep it pulled), grab the rear corners of the lid and gently rock it side to side while lifting.

Sun Oct 24, 2021 1:40 pm

Well, we did get it open but didn’t do a very good job of documenting it. I do have some pictures at what was happening….and I will explain what I did for future reference of someone else in the same situation.

I removed the exhaust and the cool air boot so that I could gain access to the back side of the latch.

While I could reach up and touch it, my direct view was blocked by a support bracket.

I shoved my camera up there and took a picture so that I could see what was actually happening….the locking pin was wedged against the hole…instead of the latch.

I was able to put enough pressure against the pin and then pull the cable….thereby releasing the trunk.

I have removed the pin and am just currently leaving it like that.
I figure I will revisit it when I get to the bodywork step.

Thank you to those of you for your help.

Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:30 pm

Looks like you'll need to tweek the pin forward a little. Don't know if you have enough adjustment in the "pin mounting plate" or not, as that might give you an alternative way to set the pin location. Just a thought.

Mon Oct 25, 2021 4:43 pm

Keep in mind the 2 mounting holes for attaching the latch pin to the decklid are a little offset. You may have the catch installed upside down causing the pin to bind in the latch. See this add for photos.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2276440