Ford Mustang “Trunk Won’t Open” Repair
Ford Mustang Trunk Won’t Open Repair: Trunk Lid failure is a common issue on Ford Mustang. Problem is caused by weak design of trunk harness or cheap wiring, or both. This issue affects an extended range of models and years of production.
Ford was sued in 2021 over failure of trunk lid harness, Ford Mustang Lawsuit. You might want to check with nearest Ford dealer if your car qualifies for a free recall repair. Usually these failures are most common on 2015-2017 models. Recall Information here.
Trunk will stop operating suddenly, you will not get a warning in advance, also in most cases back up camera will stop working too.
Ford Mustang Trunk Won’t Open Repair Symptoms
Mustang trunk lid can be operated in three ways: key-less remote, a trunk release switch on left side of dashboard and another switch above license plate housing (rear bumper).
When trunk operation fails, pressing either one of release switches does nothing, no noise from trunk lid actuator. In case this happens, the only way to open trunk lid is to fold down back seat and pull emergency yellow lever inside trunk (image above).
Emergency lever operates trunk latch manually, pull it slowly until you hear trunk latch click and push trunk lid to open.
Ford Mustang Trunk Won’t Open Problem
As we said, problem is electrical harness between trunk and vehicle body. As time passes, wiring inside the harness starts to break causing trunk lid failure. However, is a relatively easy repair, takes about an hour at most. Image below shows wiring failure on a 2017 Ford Mustang.
Remove battery negative terminal before you start working.
Mustang Trunk Harness Repair
First, remove trunk lining clip on outer end, you dont need to completely remove trunk lining. Use a flat screwdriver to pull it out.
Use a screwdriver to release harness lower clip located at bottom end of harness, underneath trunk upper part. Do the same with harness clip located on top, underneath trunk lid cover.
Harness insulator is taped at both ends, top and bottom. Use a knife and cut the tape on both ends then push harness insulator down. Trunk harness wires are taped together, use knife and slowly cut insulating tape and expose them.
Wires are colored differently, make sure to join wires of same color. Wires are also quite short, you won’t be able to connect them without extending. Use electrical wire of same gauge (thickness) to extend and join them together, one wire at a time.
Make sure to notice color of wires, do not mix them up.
Use electrical tape to insulate each wire connection separately and then tape all the wires together. Slide trunk harness cover back in place and tape it on both ends. Install trunk harness bottom and top clips. Install trunk cover and check operation of trunk latch, it should work fine.
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