Boot open but boot catch closed

[Fullcontrol1000]

Hi, I have recently taken ownership of a 100,000 plus Chim 450 (original owner has gone into a home due to dementia, he owned the car for 20+ years). When I received the car the boot was open, the trouble is i cannot shut it as it looks as though the catch is in the closed position so the boot bounces off. I’ve put keys in the ignition to on and pressed the button under the dash, I’ve even got a boot opening switch in the key ring but nothing seems to happen. Any idea would be appreciated. The catch doesn’t move at all using my finger etc

[s p a c e m a n]

There's usually a metal tab on the side of the catch that you can pull up.

Obviously I would advise not closing the boot until you have the button working

Yeah I just looked at mine, you should be able to pull just the bit of carpet that covers the catch off and then there's a tab on the bottom that you pull up on

Edited by s p a c e m a n on Saturday 29th March 13:51

[The Three D Mucketeer]

8 years lurking

[Fullcontrol1000]

Thank you I will let you know how I get on.

[PabloGee]

Does your car have the button on the underside of the dash above your right knee in the driver seat?
That's the original method.

You will do well to test the voltage reaching the solenoid behind that carpet, and if there is 12V, then the solenoid might be done.
Easy to replace.
If the catch won't move, it's very basic, you should be able to free it up, or just replace it.

https://motaclan.com/product/boot-latch_tvru0615_3...

https://racetechdirect.co.uk/body-trim/tvr-boot-lo...

others will be able to direct you to a new solenoid, I think they're generally an ebay item.

Also, there is a wiring diagram I can send you that might help (unless you're on the Facebook Technical group - then it's saved on that group homepage in the 'Files' section https://www.facebook.com/groups/2045624719010457)

I have attached a steel cable to the boot latch and run it around the boot perimeter over the wheel arch into the cavity where the driver door latch sits - to combat exactly this issue.

[Fullcontrol1000]

So little update, I undid the bolts holding the latch, if I pull the whole latch to the left it will unlock, it’s like the cable has the correct tension to unlock. So good news is I don’t think the lock/latch is faulty so could it be the cable is too long? The mention of solonoids, how do I get at it? Or would I be better of just trying (and it would be trying as rubbish at this sort of thing) to install the mod that bypasses all this nonsense?

[PabloGee]

I may be wrong, though I haven’t heard of a mod that bypasses the solenoid to the boot latch.
The solenoid is what pulls the cable that you mention, and it’s positioned right there behind the carpet.

The mod I applied is a backup, not a regular use thing.

Hopefully you can test the voltage to the solenoid and get an idea if it’s dead - which might be why the previous owner had left the boot open

[Fullcontrol1000]

Ok, do I need to remove all the carpet from the latch area to get at the solenoid

[pmc_3]

It should look like this behind the carpet

[Fullcontrol1000]

Now that is bloody handy, thank you. I will look into this on the weekend.