Trunk not popping up

[verbatim]

Hi there, new member here.

I have a question about the trunk on a 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE. A while ago, something happened and the trunk no longer pops up either with the inside button or the key. If you use the button (or the trunk remote button), the latch will release but then re-latches. The only way to open it is with the key and lift at the same time. I've replaced the struts because they were weak anyway, but that didn't solve anything. Obviously, there's either a spring or rubber bumper broken someplace.

Went to the parts dept. at the stealer and that guy was no help at all. So, I went out to the used car area and happened upon an sebring that looks as if the trunk is pretty much the same. When I looked at it, there is a torsion spring located next to the latch in the body of the car that pushes the trunk up, which I know from memory isn't there on my car (I don't have the car with me at the moment). Went back to the parts guy to see if there was anything on the fiche and it was hard to tell anything.

Can anyone tell me the method by which the trunk pops up? Is it this spring on the body side of the latch, or is it rubber bumpers someplace?

Thanks in advance.

[tiger2380]

WOw. I'm having the same problem. So, after replacing the struts and it still didn't fix the problem? If you find out the problem please let me know. I have a 2001 SE also.

[verbatim]

Yup, found the problem...there's a torsion spring in the car body side of the trunk latch that pushes up on the latch on the trunk, just like I saw on the sebring. I didn't notice it when I was troubleshooting this previously, but once I saw what to look for it was obvious. If that spring is broken, you might not even see it because it's kind of hidden behind the trunk liner. Word of wisdom to you, be careful when prying back the liner, the spring was still wound up, but resting on the liner. Got my thumb too close and when it snapped free, it whipped around and tagged it good. Anyhow, I went to a "pick and pull" auto wrecker and got one for 5 bucks. Two bolts removes the whole latch on the car body side. Works like a charm now. Oh, and be sure to mark where the old one is sitting before you take it off so that you'll know where to place the new one.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.