Trunk Locked Forever Now What

[okie2ee]

I did this:

"If you put the latching cover back in place by placing it down from the top, it will put the bar on top of the mechanism exactly as you describe, and nothing will ever get it to unlatch again. You must slide it into place, along the bottom of the trunk, sliding it to the back of the bike. Once it's in place, absolutely test it to make sure the latches retract before closing the trunk lid."

Any suggestions on what I might try to do next..............I have a bore scope that I just pulled out and took a look inside but haven't really attempted to do anything yet. I'm going to wait for suggestions on this one before I destroy the trunk.......thanks in advance

[okie2ee]

Any chance someone could take a photo of the trunk latches on the bottom part of the trunk............I'm trying to getting a good look at how the latches look physically and how I might be able to manipulate them externally with minimal destruction..........thanks

[newday777]

So if I'm reading your wording correctly???? Kinda hard to follow the way it's written....
Did you pull the latching mechanism out for some reason and put it in wrong so it doesn't unlatch?

[4given]

Did you try the “coat hanger hook”procedure as described on this forum?

[4given]

I just reread your post and if the latch cover was installed incorrectly, I’m pretty sure the coat hanger won’t work.

[okie2ee]

It would really help me to have some photos of the latches on the bottom and top section of the trunk that latch the top to the bottom.............closeups would be nice.............thanks

[ct1500]

This man had a similar problem and I suggested drilling the 1/2" holes.
https://www.goldwingfacts.com/threads/8 ... st-5898470

[okie2ee]

Thanks for the info............some useful information found............still no luck in finding a method to get into the trunk........looking like I will need to cut opening behind the seat to remove the upper lid latches......I was hoping I might be able to catch the latch bar and move it around to underneath the latch lever but not having any luck............

[MikeB]

You could buy a replacement latch assembly from ebay and learn how it operates. That would be a way its working and keep from drilling holes in your trunk.
I found one for $23 and free shipping.
Look here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/89-Honda-GL150 ... SwE~ZcBelM

[WingAdmin]

I'm sure you've seen it already, but if not....

How to unlock a GL1500 trunk without keys

This might work even if the cover was installed improperly, because you are hooking the lever that pulls the latches open and releases the trunk. It depends on whether or not the bar is over or under the locking lug.

[okie2ee]

Thanks, I did try the method that you showed and was unable to unlock the latch.........even fabricated a rod out of 1/4" material to apply greater pressure..............manual clearly has two warnings that the trunk cannot be unlocked if the rod is not in the proper position...........I'm assuming the rod is located on top of one of the latch levers............I tried moving the rod outward and down and couldn't get the rod to move...........you're instructions were very clear.........are all the trunks the same........if so, any chance I can get a picture of the how the lid catches are mounted............because it looks like a hand hole is the next step and removing these catches............thanks

[WingAdmin]

If the release bar is on top of the locking actuator like you said, I wonder if you hooked the release bar, and before pulling down, pull and hold the trunk release? That might release the actuator, and allow you to pull the release bar down with your hook enough to release the latches.

[bellboy40]

Here is a link to a video that I found interesting about how to open the trunk.
viewtopic.php?t=37896

[okie2ee]

I'm currently out of state and won't return until Saturday............I will try moving the actuator out of the way or down and then try pulling on the rod............will report back after I try this method..........thanks again for the comments........still would be nice to have a picture of how the lid catches are installed on the lid..........screw locations etc

[MikeB]

If you watch the video in the post above I think you should be able to see what you need to see.

[ct1500]

The manual is very clear about the warning to assemble latch correctly or the trunk cannot be opened. The incorrect positioning of tab will block movement of the release bar. If the trunk is not filled to the brim full of junk the 1/2" hole will allow screwdriver access to upper catches and is a better option than weakening structural integrity with a hole large enough for a hand not to mention that kind of damage repair.

[okie2ee]

Thanks again for the replies............IF YOU EVER REMOVE the LATCH COVER then you need to be sure to reassemble the latch cover correctly..............instructions from the service manual............


"Position the tab of the trunk opener unit perfectly upright
when the trunk opener rod is installed.
CAUTION
.. If the tab of the trunk opener unit is not positioned
properly, the trunk lid can not be opened.
Install the trunk catch assembly so that the trunk opener
rod is positioned under the tab.
After installing the catch assembly, check that the striker
latch operates properly by turning the key.
CAUTION
.. If the striker latch is not released completely, the
trunk lid cannot be opened."


some of you guys are missing the point regarding the use of a coat hanger to pull down on the latch bar.........the latch bar is on top of the striker latch arm and not below it which prevents it from being pulled down................

I would still like a picture of the lid catches showing the mounting screw locations so that I know where and what I'm trying to loosen when I go to the 1/2" hole in the trunk and long screw driver method.

[4given]

The best I could do.

[okie2ee]

Thank you, thank you, thank you..............that's exactly what I was looking for...........will report back on my attempt to open the trunk............thanks to everyone for their help

[4given]

I hope your trunk isn’t as packed full of stuff as mine normally is. Be patient and think it through. They make all different size plugs for closing the holes and where you drill won’t be visible anyway.

[ct1500]

14" width center to center of strikers so 7" out from trunk lock each side. Use a good quality driver (no cheap chinlee bits) as the screws are normally very tight and you don't want to round them.

[okie2ee]

Success!!.......................I ended up using the method which required drilling holes in the back of the trunk and then using a long reach screwdriver. I just posted a DIY article on this adventure that will hopefully help someone else who does not realize the pearls of taking off the latch plate cover. Just for kicks after I got the latch cover installed properly, I opened the trunk with the coat hanger method in about two seconds, I was pretty familiar with the latching mechanism. Thanks again and I hope that sometime I can help you guys out also.

[ct1500]

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=62664

[Joe in SD]

Glad to hear you had success. Ride safe, Joe

[Solo So Long]

Success!!.......................I ended up using the method which required drilling holes in the back of the trunk and then using a long reach screwdriver.

Now camouflage the holes by adding a light, chrome patch, eyebolts or something.