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Hatch not opening, cannot lock car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Jackie2, Aug 12, 2018.

  1. Jackie2

    Jackie2 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Connecticut USA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Background— got car used. The black square never seemed to do anything, but could open it by lifting the “handle”, which came loose and off. (Yes, I know it’s not a handle, but it appeared to.)

    Eventually the “handle” got loose, and broke off.

    By putting it in the right place, I could get it to open.

    So I taped it in place.

    Then I got the “door is open, cannot lock car” noise,

    Went to check if it was trunk/- and trunk will not open.

    I cannot lock car, with the trunk half open- and cannot open it to close it- . so a repair— even a shifty one— is necessary.

    I untaped the “handle”- and put into place- and that trick no longer works

    Any hacks?
     
    #1 Jackie2, Aug 12, 2018
  2. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    Which year car?

    Crawl into the back. Pull out the floor, and there is a removable square in the bin, behind the catch mechanism for the door. You can reach in there and push up around the center. There is a knuckle to the lever that pops the trunk open. It’s a pain but it will open it.
     
    #2 V8Cobrakid, Aug 13, 2018
  3. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    As for the handle.. that doesn’t sound right (gen2?)

    If it looked like a square handle and not a silicone pads that you press... its half broken already. It’s just a pressure switch. When the silicone/rubber pad wears out the switch plate is exposed. It only worked because you probably squeezed it while pulling.

    If the hatch isn’t fully shut just put some hand pressure below the license plate. It will do it’s second click. Don’t ever close it by the wing logo/switch plastic shelf. It will break.
     
    #3 V8Cobrakid, Aug 13, 2018
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    II
    The "black square" on all the door handles are used to lock the car. If you're trying to open the hatch, there is another rubber push button on the bottom of the handle you broke, where your fingers would go when you lifted and broke it.

    You would press the rubber button to release the hatch, and use your other hand to lift the "metal" part of the hatch to open it.
     
    #4 JC91006, Aug 13, 2018
  5. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    yes, you're gonna have to crawl in the back and use the manual emergency release. after it opens (assuming you haven't got something jammed in the lock) you will need to get it fixed correctly or you'll be crawling in the back a lot.
     
    #5 69shovlhed, Aug 13, 2018
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