96 Corolla can't open trunk lid

[corolla96]

pulled the trunk release handle but trunk lid won't open. i hear the lock clicked but looks like the lock is still holding the lid. caz i can't lift it up.
i have someone pulled the handle and i tried to lift the lid up at the same time. it still won't work.
all of my keys won't unlock the lid from outside. the keys fit but i can't turn.
what should i do now?? thanks for any help.

[Corollajoe]

I have a 93 corolla and am experiencing the same thing, not sure yet but I believe the problem to be that the cable that you pull is stretched and either needs adjusting or replacing, should be a nut or something on the cable that is attached to the lever that should be able to be tightend up but am unsure of this, will try to fix this week and if I figure anything out I will let you know

[96coroll]

Fold down you back seats(which are hopefully not locked) and investigate the lock with a flash light. I'm sure you will get it open and go form there.

[REN69]

sounds like the lock is broken or has fallen apart... do as above and look from inside.

[sequoiasoon]

I had a similar problem a long time ago. Felt like cable was stretched, you could sometimes get it to work by pulling slow other times it worked fine. I even went through and "added" a spacer to end of cable where it attached into lock trying to take up space (no adjusting nut).

End result after doing something else one day.....either vibrations, trunk closing whatever, the lock mechanism was partially in VALET mode which deactivates where the cable pulls. I never used that feature so didn't think about it. I sprayed the lock mechanism, used a spare (not worn) key and turned the lock into and out of valet mode several times. After that my spacer was in the way and had to be removed. Pull handle worked perfectly after that. No new cable needed or anything like that. I think I might have a spare cable somewhere because I thought that was the problem. I think I discovered the REAL problem when trying to change it and kicked myself repeatedly. Not sure if I changed it anyway and kept old one spare or just left the old in. Make sure you have a "master" key not the "valet" when trying the trunk lock, The VALET function I believe is to turn all the way LEFT not right (key would end up horizontal not vertical)

[kaitaiya]

i think you hit the nail on the head sequoiasoon. i remember my mother's camry having a "valet" mode where the correct master key would be used and if you turned the lock from the outside the opposite way it would lock the lock and the "valet" key would only work on the ignition. the difference in keys is the master key comes to what looks like an arrow head point, and the valet key comes to what looks like a stepped drillbit. i wish i saw this before i moved my car because i do have my spare door key in the car and could take pics of the two.

if you need a spare master key i'm not sure if your dealership offers the service, but here in hawaii as long as the car was purchased from the toyota dealer here you can go there with the VIN and they will cut you a new key. just have to show proof of ownership. i got new keys for my car because i was tired of the "spares" i had which would work one way, but not the other way, then wound up messing up my ignition so my car wouldn't start.

*edit*
just realized i have my wife's spare key in my pocket too. here's the pics with the difference.