Boot wont pop up (96 Griff 500)

[NigelGRF]

My boot doesnt pop up when I push the release button on the dash. The solenoid works OK though.
I have adjusted the boot catch a number of times, to pull the boot down against the rubber seal. This works for a while, but I think the catch on the car body must move slightly. I can't tighten it any further as I can feel the retaining nut/bolt slipping.

So my process to open the boot (mainly to put petrol in)
1 Press solenoid switch, then remember boot doesnt pop up
2. Get out of car and jam small piece of rubber pipe between boot and car body
3. Turn ignition on, Lean in and press button
4. Get out and open boot, then turn ignition off

Has anyone else had this problem and solved it? I'm thinking a new rubber boot seal might help, or an additional spring

Even if the boot did pop up properly, its still a pain to have to turn ignition on, and lean into car to press the button. I've considered a remote boot release, but my alarm was changed years ago to a Laserline 996v3 which is now obselete and doesnt have a boot release option. So I'm now looking at the reed switch and magnet option.
I'm happy to implement this, but I need to find a voltage source that is enabled when the car is unlocked. Any ideas?
I've looked at the wiring diagram and it looks feasible to link the reed switch with interior light contact, so I would need a door to be open to trigger the reed switch. How have you guys solved this?

Thanks in anticipation
Nigel

[rigga]

As I recall, fitting the Modwise boot release, which is a reed switch /magnet affair, the voltage supply was tapped into at the passenger side, behind the seat there's a carpet panel, lift away and the loom is there, unfortunately can't recall the exact wire.

But the issue sounds like weak gas rams, as activating the latch, via the switch, should at least lift the boot a touch, to allow it to be opened.

[Belle427]

Some info here on the mag switch mod.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[TR4man]

Has anyone tried to use a supplementary cable (similar to the emergency driver’s door release which is located in the boot above the RHS wheel arch) but in the reverse direction?

I’m thinking of a small grab handle in the cockpit by the seat belt top anchor position then with a cable threaded through into the boot and attached to the existing boot opening cable?

[Adrian@]

OP, go onto Ebay and buy yourself a few meters of neoprene foam cord...a couple of different sizes, thread that up the inside the current boot seal where you think it might add a little bit of pressure to aid the boot lid to lift and see if that works (a couple of quid). Agreed, the Modwise kit is cute (I have fitted them onto the rear numberplates) .
A@

Edited by Adrian@ on Monday 2nd May 20:51

[NigelGRF]

Thanks for all your suggestions.
I have checked, and on my car the supply to the interior light is permanently live, even when the car is locked. On following the links suggested, it seems the place to take the feed from is the door lock limit/micro switch, which should be live only when door is unlocked. I'll give that a try and also feed something into the boot seal to give it a bit of extra spring

Cheers