Trunk Latch wont shut :( :(

[rad_dude]

Hey guys gotta quick question.

I was shut my trunk shut & it wouldnt shut, it just bounced (which never happened before) and i realized the 1/4in euro-thane surfboard leash got wedged up inside the latching mechanism... i pulled it out and tried to shut my trunk and it still wont shut, it just bounces... so i took my keys & popped it out & tried shutting, it wont shut. I pull the trunk release button & you can hear it snap back into place or whatever it does, then tried to shut it & it still wont shut..... i'll tinker around with it more, but you guys have been good about answering questions so i thought i'd use this resource.

thanks!

J0sh

[JesusJones]

Not sure if this applies but my girlfriends celica did the same thing when we put a new rear hatch on it.

Turned out that the trunk latch mechanism (inside the trunk) was snapped (where it bolts to the frame) and was sitting low/crooked(hardly enough to even notice). So it never went in far enough to actually snap into place.

I'm assuming you tried slamming the trunk down pretty hard when it wouldn't close. So you might of snapped the part where it mounts to the frame or just moved it slightly. Now it is sitting too low and you might need to loosen it and remount properly.

That's just my thought.
Rudy

[Bitter]

the latch could have closed itself, it should be an open slot. use a screw driver to be the 'latch striker' and open the jaws back open.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Mine has been a bit like that ever since I changed the trunk lid. I just have to slam it a little but harder to get it to close properly (pushing in the right spot helps too). Try what Bitter said above. Also, make sure that none of the plastic surround has come away and is blocking it as that can stop it from closing too.

[rad_dude]

the part that it latches to (the metal loop) came loose & shifted over, i just realigned it & it works. Thanks guys!!!