What are the reasons why a car trunk cannot be closed?
3 Answers
The reasons why a car trunk cannot be closed are: 1. Using overly stiff spring rods; 2. Mismatch between the closing limit rubber block and the locking mechanism; 3. Malfunction in the trunk control circuit; 4. Failure of the trunk hydraulic support rod; 5. The key is too close to the trunk; 6. Displacement of the trunk switch; 7. Lack of lubrication in the lock block. Solutions for a car trunk that cannot be closed: 1. Lubricate and adjust the trunk; 2. Clean the trunk's card slot; 3. Replace spring rods with appropriate stiffness; 4. Check if there is a malfunction in the trunk control circuit; 5. Replace the trunk hydraulic support rod.
I recently encountered this issue as well. There are several common reasons why the trunk won't close properly. It could be that something got stuck in the trunk lock mechanism, like small stones or leaves blocking the latch from returning to position. Failed support struts are also very common - I've seen many cars where aging gas struts caused insufficient lifting force, making the trunk lid pop open automatically. Another possibility is misaligned strikers; if your car was rear-ended before, the striker position might be off by a few millimeters preventing proper closure. Wiring harnesses stuck near the lock assembly can also interfere, especially in vehicles with aftermarket reverse camera installations. The most troublesome case is a faulty lock assembly itself, where internal springs or sensors fail to engage the striker properly. I'd recommend cleaning the lock channel first. If that doesn't work, you'll need to adjust the striker position or replace the support struts.
Experience in dealing with trunk issues, the most common one is foreign objects jamming the trunk lock. Hard objects like coins or keys falling into the lock cylinder can cause the latch to stick, making the trunk bounce back halfway when closing. For older vehicles, trunk hinge deformation should also be considered, especially for cars parked on slopes for long periods, which can cause the stopper to deform. Aging and hardened seals are another hidden cause, as rubber seals stiffen in winter, increasing closing resistance. Last time, I found that a passenger forcefully closing the door pressed against the wiring harness, causing the trunk wiring to be pulled out and stuck in the track. For electric trunk models, sensor issues can also arise, where rainwater infiltration may falsely trigger the anti-pinch function, causing it to automatically pop open. During inspection, focus on whether the lock block slot is clean, and adjusting the latch position can often resolve the issue.
