99 VE: locked keys in trunk, no trunk release lever

[mightaswellbeblonde]

Hello, while working on my 99 Corolla VE tonight I did something so wholly idiotic - locked my keys in my trunk. Have a spare, unfortunately this key opens everything but the trunk. And it's a VE, so no trunk release lever next to the driver's seat.

I've googled this quite extensively and the suggestions seem to be either A) Call a locksmith B) See about getting a replacement from a Toyota dealer or C) remove the rear seat.
I'd rather avoid the others and go with C (I've already found a detailed explanation on how to remove the seat), but my question is:
Will I be able to unlock the trunk this way? Also how do I do it? And yes, I think the keys are laying on the floor of the trunk - one small problem, I have a speaker box with 10's in the trunk on the other side of the back seat and I'm not sure I'd be able to snake anything past it to get to the keys (also don't know the exact location of the keys).

Any detailed help would be greatly appreciated. I'm an idiot. Draw me a picture lol.

TL;DR - Locked keys in trunk, am wondering if removing the seat will do any good and how I would proceed with getting the trunk open if it did.

[landphil]

My '01 has a glow-in-the-dark plastic release handle inside the trunk lid on the back of the latch assy, can't say for sure that the '99 would be the same. I'm stumped on the lack of a release cable though, as even the base CE's have them. Do you rear seat backs have the latch cable inside the trunk? If so, you could possibly pull one of the speakers (if equipped) from the rear deck and access the seat latch cable easily.

[Kyle Hamelin]

Originally Posted by landphil

My '01 has a glow-in-the-dark plastic release handle inside the trunk lid on the back of the latch assy, can't say for sure that the '99 would be the same. I'm stumped on the lack of a release cable though, as even the base CE's have them. Do you rear seat backs have the latch cable inside the trunk? If so, you could possibly pull one of the speakers (if equipped) from the rear deck and access the seat latch cable easily.

This won't work because in order to take that rear speaker out you need to fold the seats down to take the cover off. Obviously to fold the seat you need in the trunk. I would just call the locksmith. they aren't that much moeny.

[CraigW]

Try taking out the lower back seat cushion and see if it exposes any bolts that can be removed to remove the back cushion.

I think the glow in the dark came later iirc.

[Kyle Hamelin]

Originally Posted by CraigW

Try taking out the lower back seat cushion and see if it exposes any bolts that can be removed to remove the back cushion.

I think the glow in the dark came later iirc.

If I remember correctely I think to get the cushion off you just need to pull up on it hard right? I did this once and found 15$ under there! all the loonies that fell out of my friends pockets haha.

[Buurin]

Glow in the dark release lever came in 2001. It's meant if YOU got locked in the trunk - you are to pull it to open the trunk and escape. Since you're safe and sound outside this won't help you anyway.

VE don't have fold down seats I think, so you may be able to remove the rear seat and gain access to the trunk. The rear seat cushion can be pulled up and taken out. Then remove all relevant bolts. I can look into my FSM and tell for sure which bolts need to be removed.

[kylehondarider]

My 01 CE does not have fold down rear seats, (I think it can be done, but I have not done it) you should be able to take the rear seat back cushion out easily and there's like a black corrugated plastic piece on the trunk side. There also is the brace between the two, but it shouldn't need to be removed if you're just reaching in to grab your keys. I suggest doing it this way, because it's free if you have the tools and don't break anything .
Kyle

Also, I would suggest adding an electric trunk release actuator and pushbutton for inside the car :-) they are like 20-25 bucks on Amazon

here

here

and

here

here

[mightaswellbeblonde]

Thanks for the responses! Hopefully they'll be helpful for the next person that googles this issue and doesn't want to pay to solve the problem. I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have been able to reach through the back, as I stated in the first post I have a speaker box in the way (right up against the back seat).

I ended up going to a local Toyota dealer and had them make the key. It cost $3.21 for the key and the people there were very nice. All around good experience.

Thanks again!

Also for anyone that googles this problem - http://importnut.net/corollarearseat.htm - photos showing rear seat removal on a '98.

[Crowbar911]

The easiest way would be to take yuor regristration to the dealer and have a key made from your VIN. Should be 8 or 9 bucks.

Is it possible that the key you have is the valey key, and thats why it doesnt open the trunk?

[Buurin]

Originally Posted by Crowbar911

The easiest way would be to take yuor regristration to the dealer and have a key made from your VIN. Should be 8 or 9 bucks.

Is it possible that the key you have is the valey key, and thats why it doesnt open the trunk?

That's what he did exactly. For cheaper than that too. Yes, he locked his master key in the trunk and is left with the valet key.