[T3] rear trunl problem

[Dennis Stiefel]

In a message dated 1/29/2014 8:39:20 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
alluringeyewear at comcast.net writes:
 
Hello all! Today when I opened my rear trunk to do an oil change,  the trunk
opened as usual. The wind blew the lid closed and when I went to  reopen it,
either the cable snapped or something else went screwy. The lever  on the
door pillar has no resistance whatsoever. How do I a: open my trunk and  b: 
install a new cable? Are these still available or does anyone have one for
sale? Thanks Doug "Leilani" '73 Fastback FI 


 
I'd try pushing down on the trunk lid a few times, and then see IF  it'll
release. If it doesn't, then try what's written below.
If you're sure the cable broke, then the only way to access it to  replace
it, is thru the left rear inner door card (back seat). You'll  have to
remove the rear seat bottom for sure, and possibly the upper half to  get
that panel out. In the front of that opening is where the cable attaches  to
the lever (there's a small access hole), and IF you have a pair of locking
needle nose vice grips, you can clamp onto the cable and pull it. If that
doesn't release the trunk, or the cable doesn't come out, then you have
something jamming the latch itself. This will require doing something  else
to get it to release. 
 
Just a note, that cable (solid wire) shouldn't break, as it really  doesn't
get much of a load put on it, even when trying to open the latch. I  should
point out, that the latch is designed to release the pin IF the cable
breaks. VW set that latch up like that, in the case that IF the cable ever
broke, the trunk could still be accessed. I hope this helps.

Bob 65  Notch S w/Sunroof and IRS aka Krusty
64 T-34 Ghia aka Wolfie
71  Square-vert under  construction

Hmm mine didn't release when it broke.  It broke close to the latch and the
only way I could get it to pop back open was the way I described to Doug.
Hopefully it didn't break that close. I forgot to mention we had not put the
deck lid seal on yet when it broke so the way I described may be more
difficult with the seal in place.

Dennis