MY PT CRUISER TRUNK LID WILL NOT UNLOCK: PROBLEM SOLVED

THIS VIDEO IS FOR THE 2009 TO 2010 PT CRUISERS. THESE MODELS, UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS MODELS, HAS AN ACTUATOR (ELECTRIC LATCH). THE TRUNK LID CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY A TOUCHPAD, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CHRYSLER EMBLEM.

[@ellefaye448]

Found the little white plastic thing just sitting on my rear bumper. I grabbed it and took it to a repair shop where I was picking up other items and asked if they knew what it was. They said it looked like trash but I snatched it out of their hand and put it up. Thanks to your video, my rear latch is now working again with a bit of water, a napkin and some shoe goo. Hooray!

[@conquryourfear]

Love it. Thanks for the story. Happy that the video helped out. If you haven’t already, please subscribe and hit that like button. to do both, it doesn’t cost a penny. Take care

[@johnperiard9594]

Took off the emblem used screwdriver to get to the switch, Cleaned the switch with the paper towel and a lil water. Its working again!!! Lot of dirt on the swich. Thank you!!

[@jackbruaw3534]

Have a 2008 PT TOURING MODEL. Had same problem. Did exactly as your video. Job came out perfect. Thanks.

[@benrosumny6037]

Just got done repairing my 2009 - great video - took the contact strip off the touchpad - cleaned both with contact cleaner and reassembled it. Works like a charm. I did notice - after I got it back together - that it's actually possible (if you're not a klutz like me) to carefully remove the contact strip, clean the strip and the touchpad and glue the contact strip back in place, from the outside, without disassembling the whole thing. Lol, only noticed it after I had the hatch open and in the up position, where I could see up in the handle where the touchpad is. Might come in hand in an emergency. Anyhow - this fix saved me a bunch of $$$$$. Thanks Much !!!!!!

[@conquryourfear]

Great feedback. Thank you

[@riksteele997]

Thanks you both for the great information. I used your final tip and didn't take the whole thing out to clean it. Just used a butter knife to carefully pry the 2 pieces apart and cleaned both sides. Just going to need a bit of clear silicone to seal the edges back. (Ps Knuckles hurt a bit as it's tight for rubbing the dirt off when on the car.)

[@ellefaye448]

Oh thank you. Actually found the removable touchpad laying on my back bumper after a really hot day. Hoping to clean it and glue it back without removing it.

[@gladiatormechs5574]

can anybody just get access to the trunk area of a PT CRUISER if the touch pad is actually working.. can anyone just touch this pad and the trunk opens up ?

[@ellefaye448]

No, one has to press unlock; either from the key fob or the unlock button first.@@gladiatormechs5574

[@guerritajr]

I have a 2008 PT and I am ready to hand it down to my oldest son. The trunk has been having issues for about a year and a half now. Cleaning the pad worked! Thank you for this!

[@conquryourfear]

You are welcome!!! Happy to hear. To show your appreciation subscribe to my channel. It’s free. And it helps to support these videos. Take it easy.

[@gladiatormechs5574]

can anybody just get access to the trunk area of a PT CRUISER if the touch pad is actually working.. can anyone just touch this pad and the trunk opens up ?

[@economycarrentalllc5593]

Your cleaning the touch pad fix worked like a charm! Thanks man

[@conquryourfear]

Happy to hear!! Thanks for your comment.

[@riksteele997]

Thank you very much for your time and video. It worked well and I also used Ben's suggestion 1st. Used a butter knife to separate the pads while leaving the thing still on the car. Cleaned, then just need a bit of clear silicone to seal the edges. 🙂👍

[@huxleyrodney3733]

i realize Im kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good website to stream newly released tv shows online?

[@sebastianangelo2054]

@Huxley Rodney Flixportal :D

[@huxleyrodney3733]

@Sebastian Angelo thanks, I signed up and it seems like a nice service :) I really appreciate it !

[@sebastianangelo2054]

@Huxley Rodney Glad I could help xD

[@realrobertwebb]

My 2008 PT Cruiser has the same touchpad, and the actuator is fine, so I will try this. Thanks!

[@conquryourfear]

Good luck brother. If it works, don’t forget to show your love by subscribing to my channel and Hidden that like button. It doesn’t cost a penny to do so. Take care.

[@ADWade-mf9mm]

My 2008 PTC hatch decided not to open last week, so I took it by the dealer this week to investigate. The failure was in the touchpad and they said a replacement would not be available until JAN 2020. Somewhat dismayed, since if I had a flat between now and then I would need to get at the spare tire. I came home, looked here on youtube and found your two videos! I didn't know I could get the interior hatch liner OFF, with the hatch being closed. Once I realized that, I followed the rest of your directions and got it all fixed up. I installed BOTH a switch as you suggested and a short (i.e. 6" stainless steel) pull wire to force the trunk to release (from the inside) in case the solenoid ever fails in the future. I was surprised that a SAFETY LATCH MECHANISM (i.e. silver in color) was actually installed on my PTC's rear hatch solenoid. It just wasn't hooked (up) to anything...to pull it with. So I added my own Emergency Pull Cord to it. Anyway, MANY THANXX for your fine videos and instructions about the PTC Rear Hatch issue on 2006 and newer models. P.S. While several videos existed on youtube about this topic, yours were the only ones that clearly showed me the parts involved. Others had such poor (i.e. shaky) camera work, I couldn't make out what-was-what?! KUDOS ON A JOB WELL DONE!

[@conquryourfear]

Thank you for that great comment. I really appreciate it. I love it when people such as yourself Let me know that the videos helped out.

[@computertech1990]

Awesome dude i have the same problem i just bought the car 2008 i will do this my field is electronics is my name thanks man. Update well it turned out that yes the switch went bad so i ordered a small momentary switch and the hatch is back to functioning. I could've cleaned the contacts but it will go bad again so decided to just add the switch. Thank you

[@gladiatormechs5574]

can anybody just get access to the trunk area of a PT CRUISER if the touch pad is actually working.. can anyone just touch this pad and the trunk opens up ?

[@jeenawinn9697]

I have a 2008 Cruiser Sedan and this year has a "touch pad" as well that is not working all of a sudden. Dont have time now but hopefully later today I can tear into it and get it working. I'll let you know my results.

[@miked6128]

My 2010 PT Cruiser rear hatch, turn signals, and wipers don't work. What is the fuse slot # ?

[@-gomez1723]

I detail vehicles on the side, i just recently did an 08 pt cruiser...i disconnected the battery so it doesnt drain when having the doors open..trunk opened up with no issues but after plugging the battery back, the back latch wont open..i believe the actuator works because i did disconnect and connect the plug for the latch and it made that sound described in the video...im going to try cleaning out the pad and i really hope it works...if it doesn't, could there be some settings that got reset after disconnecting the battery? I should add locking and unlocking with the fob produces no noise or movement in the hatch

[@pathoover8331]

I have 08 PT i have the same issue. I appreciate all the videos I have seen. My actuator makes noise and if will even "unlock" if I hit a bump in the road. it's worse in the summer. My key fob will get the back to open, at times...other times it won't, but it's not the fob..that costs $200 from a dealer. I think it's the finger pad.

[@conquryourfear]

sounds like it too me.

[@donnaeden7487]

I had the same problem with my 09 PT, sometimes it seemed to work through the warm months but not in the cold months. I watched the 4 videos Clark Ninneman posted , he installed a momentary switch. I did the same after watching his videos several times. The switch works great, the hatch locks when the doors lock. I am glad that I installed the switch, cleaning the touch pad may work for awhile but will probably need cleaned again sometime later. The switch works every time.

[@jmurphy4270]

my switch is good, actuator is good, it worked great, unroll i started out after 40’ it pops open what do i look for?

[@junebennett4733]

What if it is the actuator? I click my unlock and hear nothing. The dealer said the part is no longer available so I bought a full tailgate switch with the emblem and the wiring since I didn't know exactly what I needed. Now it works when it feels like it. I bought the keys from amazon to try them, but from the way you are talking it sounds like replacing the handle was a waste of a lot of money. It sounds like I might need to look for the actuator. I wish I knew how to take the tailgate apart myself to fix things bc it goes to the dealer for the fixes. BTW, the last time the tailgate wouldn't open was a year and a half ago and they had to replace some wiring somewhere.

[@juliordzMTBB]

Thanks! I have a 2006 Touring with the same problem. I just removed the interior trim yesterday, but I wasn't convinced to remove the emblem and everything else. I'll try Ben's tip to apply your solution from the outside and let you know how it goes.

[@juliordzMTBB]

OK, so I finally got the time, the weather and my daughter to quit the car for a day. :) PROBLEM SOLVED! Just one difference. In my car, when I used the butter knife to separate the touchpad, it doesn't come in two pieces. The switch strips are "sandwiched" inside a soft plastic piece and you can see them going inside, behind the emblem. I can't upload a couple of pictures I took to clarify. (any idea as to how it can be done?) Since I didn't want to split the piece open, I just sprayed enough Contact Cleaner around the edges and it did the trick. Now it works like a charm. THANKS A LOT!!

[@jonaleyvaglez9427]

@@juliordzMTBB that it i was thinking, thank you all of you guys. Perdonen la gramatica jajajaja

[@johnperiard9594]

My touchpad was one piecw as well. Cleaned it up with paper towel, water, and a lil spit. Its working again!!!

[@crusinscamp]

For the "star lock washers", I was able to remove them with a needle nose pliers by gripping the prongs and unscrewing while pulling. Mine's an earlier model, but uses the same fasteners. Also, make sure the handle is well sealed to the body when reassembling, otherwise rain will leak into the hatch and get under the rear carpet (that was my problem).

[@conquryourfear]

Thanks for your contribution brother

[@crusinscamp]

@@conquryourfear I appreciate videos like these. They help me understand what I'm up against when working on something I haven't done before.

[@israelromo_0691]

Thanks I Have The Same Problem And Now Is Working Thanks

[@conquryourfear]

You are so welcome. Show your support by subscribing to my channel please. Doesn’t cost you a penny and it helps me to do more videos just like this one to help people

[@TropicalBreeze8]

I have a 2005 with the same problem. I'm 64 years old and disabled so I can't DIY a car repair. Nor can I afford a repair shop. But I depend on my car for groceries and the Food Bank. Any simple quick fix?? It's so frustrating because my late husband was the best "shade tree" mechanic in the state.

[@yolandagonzalez4100]

Arregle la cajuela con este vídeo y me ahorre como 500 pesootes muchas gracias lo que les falta es subtítulos en español

[@conquryourfear]

Ok!!! Gracias

[@juliordzMTBB]

@@conquryourfear And by the way, I can help with subtitles. ;)

[@juliordzMTBB]

Translation sent for review!

[@candi2Love]

Thank you for posting this fix. 👍👍 How do you get the trunk door open though? Is there a manual lever? the camera angles don't show everything. What did you clean the touch pad with? How did you reattach the emblem? Thanks again!

[@conquryourfear]

Yes. There is a small lever

[@benrosumny6037]

In the video @ about 1:00 you see the connector and a sort of bracket to the right of it - the lever is down below that bracket on the back side of the actuator.

[@conquryourfear]

you have to take the panel off ---there’s a lever that opens it up. You can clean it with a moist terrycloth. The emblem doesn’t have to come off

[@tiffanydeno564]

How do you get the trunk open in the first place? My TouchPad isn't working... Is there a safety latch or something that I can get the trunk open to work on it?

[@conquryourfear]

There is a plastic fastener in the inside of that tailgate. take that out, pull the panel away, and manually open the tailgate. sorry so late in responding;;;;just seen your comment.

[@ericanderson33]

Nice! Better then playing candy crush.

[@conquryourfear]

no way

[@gladiatormechs5574]

can anybody just get access to the trunk area of a PT CRUISER if the touch pad is actually working.. can anyone just touch this pad and the trunk opens up ?

[@andysaunders3708]

I have a different problem - everytime I unlock the driver's door, the rear hatch partialy unlatches, so a get the light on the dash and the chimes. It's a 2005 Classic. Have to open the hatch and shut it again, and often it will immediately unlatch, or unlatch while I'm driving with all the doors all locked. I'm mightily pissed-off with it. Been going on for 18 months, and the local Jeep dealer says he can't understand it. Same with the locksmiths, and auto electricians. Wanna sell it, but I'll get nothing for it. Cheers for your video - it was mean.

[@conquryourfear]

Sounds like the ECM is corrupt.

[@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006]

Mine is a 2006 and opens going down the road and of course only opens with the key when you want to open it.

[@conquryourfear]

That’s crazy!!!

[@wmean45]

After the pad removal what did you use to clean it off ???

[@conquryourfear]

Brother. Just a mild cleaning spray. Simple green. Andaterry cloth.

[@wmean45]

Thanks I definitely clean mine great Info !!!!!

[@conquryourfear]

@@wmean45 You can subscribe to my channel. It’s free. Helps me to do more videos like this to help others

[@Shintobeme]

A 2008 PT Cruiser also has an actuator in the rear gate. If this doesn't work, look up to put a momentary push button in it instead.

[@louisfoster4091]

I have a 07 and it has it.

[@conquryourfear]

It has a touch pad that opens the back hatch??? If so, which trim level you have? I thought the 09 and 10 models were the only ones that have this type of actuators that have no connecting rods!

[@ericlavoie399]

Yep my 07 and 08 has it

[@nickpollay1681]

My 2007 base model has it. That’s why I’m watching this video. I appreciate the video for sure. Awesome 👏

[@SuperQdaddy]

Its a fix..but not that simple

[@eliasmora715]

lets doo it.. i bet its just needs cleaning