How I fixed the trunk latch

[m3m750]

Middle of an autocross yesterday, after my 2nd practice session, I go to open the trunk to allow the engine to cool and nothing happens. Key turns, but the latch won't open. There's nothing in the trunk, so it's not that something is pressing up against it, but I try the push down, the wiggle, everything else I can think of, but it just won't open.

Hoping it was a heat related swelling issue, I tried again this morning, but same results. I ultimately had to break some bits to get to the latch and get the trunk open. I took it off and found the problem.

Here is the orignal assembly. The emergency release is connected to the plastic actuator that is turned by the key. This, in turn, is connected to a metal actuator inside the latch mechanism that opens the latch when pulled.


Here is the problem. All that holds it together is a 90 degree elbow that fits in a hole in the metal part. This system basically sucks. I put it back together, but found it would stay assembled for no more than 10-15 key turns.



I figured the solution was to more solidly connect the plastic actuator to the metal actuator, but what to use? I'm not much of a mechanic, just beginning to play with the Elise a little, so I didn't have a lot on hand to work with. Then it hit met, the heavy metal wire that holds the emergency release to the plastic actuator was just the ticket. I removed the glow in the dark handle and trimmed off the barrel at the end of the wire, then made a 180 degree hook which I fed through the metal actuator in the latch.


Next I fed the wire through the plastic actuator and again bent it into a 180 degree hook and then trimmed to fit (I found that the end of the hook hit the latch frame when turning the key if I didn't trim it).


The only downside is if I ever get stuck in the trunk, I'll have no way to let myself out.

[scottyb]

I was informed at HRM that there is a service bulletin on changing out the rear locks for a defect. It looks like Lotus will be replacing a ton of locks in the near future.

[CALtd]

Would a tie-wrap or bailing wire have worked to hold the elbow in? In my Triumph days I always carried bailing wire and duct tape. Owning cars built in Japan got me out of the habit.

[m3m750]

I thought about using some tie wraps, but was worried they's rub against the cut out where they'd have to pass between the key mechanism and the latch and would eventually wear through.