I know this has been a problem before and just searched and couldn't find any posts about a fix for the existing latch, just a post on how to replace the old latch. Well, I have successfully fixed my old latch so it works great now and found what is causing the problem in these latches when it gets cold.
To start, you will need to strip the trunk down like you were replacing the latch (you can find a how-to using seach, but I will give a brief outline).
1) Undo the 4 screws that are holding the trunk liner on
2) use a flat head screw driver and pop off the latch cover
3) now you need to work all the trunk liner clips out. I found a long flat head screw driver was the best, so you could put the pressure right on the clips when prying against them, and not the liner.
Ok, now you have the trunk liner hanging by the emergency release cable. To remove the cables, you first need to remove a plastic cover that is on the latch. It just clips on there and serves no purpose that I can see. (I actually forgot to put mine on, and it works just fine, but I figured the next time I feel a strong urge to pull the trunk liner I could put it back on).
These cables just slide into place, so you just have to take off the cables from the latch asselmbly and the trunk liner will be free. Be careful none of the little metal liner clips slide out of the black slotted things while you are working.
Remove the electrical plug.
Now using a 10mm deep well socket, remove the latch assembly from the trunk lid (just 2 nuts holding it on).
Now that you have the latch out, you will see 4 or 5 little snaps around the electic motor housing. You just need to push in on each of these with a screw driver and they will push the housing pieces apart on their own (you will see what I mean when you have the latch in your hand). Once the housing started apart, it will take some slow prying to get everything loose, but just keep working around the housing. The plastic is pretty soft, so be careful.
Once you get the housing apart, you will see a white gear on a screw plunger thing. Pull those out and clean the threads on the screw plunger. The problem is the old grease that is on there is way too thick and it doesn't allow the assembly to return once the latch has opened. Once it is clean, spray on some lithium grease on those threads, the gear, and anywhere that little plunger makes contact with plastic. Also, I put some on the end of the plunger and on the little lever that unlatches the latch. Just be careful of the sensor. I don't think it will hurt it, but I wouldn't coat it in grease either.
Now just go in reverse and put it back together. You can test it first by operating the latch with your fingers and just plugging it in.
I don't have any pictures as I didn't have the camera with me and this was a spur of the moment thing (my trunk would not completely latch at all, even after opening it with the key and fiddling with it for 10 minutes. If someone does this and wants to take pictures, feel free to put them on here.
Hurst
To start, you will need to strip the trunk down like you were replacing the latch (you can find a how-to using seach, but I will give a brief outline).
1) Undo the 4 screws that are holding the trunk liner on
2) use a flat head screw driver and pop off the latch cover
3) now you need to work all the trunk liner clips out. I found a long flat head screw driver was the best, so you could put the pressure right on the clips when prying against them, and not the liner.
Ok, now you have the trunk liner hanging by the emergency release cable. To remove the cables, you first need to remove a plastic cover that is on the latch. It just clips on there and serves no purpose that I can see. (I actually forgot to put mine on, and it works just fine, but I figured the next time I feel a strong urge to pull the trunk liner I could put it back on).
These cables just slide into place, so you just have to take off the cables from the latch asselmbly and the trunk liner will be free. Be careful none of the little metal liner clips slide out of the black slotted things while you are working.
Remove the electrical plug.
Now using a 10mm deep well socket, remove the latch assembly from the trunk lid (just 2 nuts holding it on).
Now that you have the latch out, you will see 4 or 5 little snaps around the electic motor housing. You just need to push in on each of these with a screw driver and they will push the housing pieces apart on their own (you will see what I mean when you have the latch in your hand). Once the housing started apart, it will take some slow prying to get everything loose, but just keep working around the housing. The plastic is pretty soft, so be careful.
Once you get the housing apart, you will see a white gear on a screw plunger thing. Pull those out and clean the threads on the screw plunger. The problem is the old grease that is on there is way too thick and it doesn't allow the assembly to return once the latch has opened. Once it is clean, spray on some lithium grease on those threads, the gear, and anywhere that little plunger makes contact with plastic. Also, I put some on the end of the plunger and on the little lever that unlatches the latch. Just be careful of the sensor. I don't think it will hurt it, but I wouldn't coat it in grease either.
Now just go in reverse and put it back together. You can test it first by operating the latch with your fingers and just plugging it in.
I don't have any pictures as I didn't have the camera with me and this was a spur of the moment thing (my trunk would not completely latch at all, even after opening it with the key and fiddling with it for 10 minutes. If someone does this and wants to take pictures, feel free to put them on here.
Hurst
