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2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees


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bax22syr
Novice

Oct 24, 2016, 10:56 AM

Post #1 of 9 (1506 views)
2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

Hello. I have a 2003 Lincoln TC Cartier, 104,000 miles and have owned it for 4 years. Since day one, whenever the air temperature goes colder than 50 degrees, the trunk won't stay latched. When car warms up or whenever outside temp above 50 degrees, latch works perfect. I replaced the trunk lock actuator, but no improvement. When first starting engine, there is a "chatter" noise that continues until car warmed up. Thinking about replacing "Trunk lid release solenoid connector"...Obviously cold makes metal contract and a contact is not being made when cold???Any ideas? Thanx


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 24, 2016, 11:53 AM

Post #2 of 9 (1498 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

Where's this noise and does it only do that when trunk won't stay shut?


IDK - If you use a door or latch on anything a lot and don't assertively lube them just so they'll all screw up - plastic junky parts and other junk just not tolerant of a lot of use. I know - seems stupid and is.


I just don't know every model if this is only a trunk "pull down" say so. It's easy to defeat that and just works fine without that,


T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Oct 24, 2016, 1:45 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1491 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

Does the trunk have a pull down motor?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


bax22syr
Novice

Oct 26, 2016, 11:26 AM

Post #4 of 9 (1463 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

Apologize. Been away. The noise appears to come from a control module approx 7"x9" located behind back seat,access from trunk...Sometimes sounds from under hood. Definitely an electrical "chatter"...Yes it is a pull down mechanism...Would love to know how to bypass to work key manually...Thanx for all your help (expertise)


bax22syr
Novice

Oct 26, 2016, 11:27 AM

Post #5 of 9 (1462 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

Yes, it has a pull down. Would love to bypass and use key manually...Thanx for your help...


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 26, 2016, 2:26 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1453 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

If pull down assorted crap and sensors are the issue and probably are with "pull down" non sense (IMO) then you can lose all memory and with it down and latched unhood negative battery cable and or use a memory saver (ask again) they open trunk by key and unplug the plugs and or sensors or just find (better choice) the small electric motor and unplug it. Then it should release and latch skipping the pulldown crap.


Carpet stuff to get at the motor should have just black push buttons to hold that in place. Any sill plastic should just pop up if not cooperating to get at it.


Just can't be way too specific on each model year for this junk and own TWO! All the fleet limos and just service cars "Livery Service" cars owners wanted that undone so they couldn't work usually failed leaving trunks open that last 1+1/2 in the rain luggage and trunk item can get soaked - not cool.


If that doesn't work there are other ways.


DO NOT UPLUG MOTOR WITH TRUNK OPEN AND BATTERY CONNECTED AS IT WILL ONLY LATCH TO THE HIGHER LEVEL NOT THE BOTTOM FULLY CLOSED AS LATCH STOPS (A HOOK) IN THE HIGHER POSITION IF DISCONNECTED THEN - GOT IT?


Tom



bax22syr
Novice

Oct 26, 2016, 9:16 PM

Post #7 of 9 (1446 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

OK...Let me see, I close trunk, remove negative battery cable, open trunk manually and unplug motor/wires etc and I will be able to open with a key manually?? Thanx ...Will try tomorrow and let you know...Thanx again


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 27, 2016, 2:51 AM

Post #8 of 9 (1439 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

Good luck and hope that will be done with the problem. Do tie or place anything unplugged such that when it gets power it doesn't short to ground. I'd prefer you just did the motor itself, nothing else. Whatever you do be able to put it all back.


Let it keep saying "trunk ajar" and remote open by fob or button, light work if you wish it to. Your call - the ones of these I've personally kept I remove all bulbs that are momentary like trunk lights, glove box or storage lights as when those fail to shut off you drain the battery to zero if on long enough. I remove hood light bulbs or disconnect as well. Buy and keep a plain flashlight!


Think if long term for this car wanted - locks that lock when you begin moving (assorted versions of this and similar vehicles) you are just working a mechanism to death that can be very fussy to repair or replace.


If this model year still did it a strong warning: Rear doors had an attempt to be child safe with a sliding switch such the door could or couldn't be opened by handle from inside. If that (sticker there in English) is moved to the middle the door will not open from either inside or out by handle - a nightmare. If so pick one and tape it to one or the other you want. Just bumping those or fooled with by mistake can be a nightmare.


Expect that new parts from Ford to become unavailable thru Ford already or soon - about any vehicle but especially because this body from Ford has been discontinued,


Tom



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Oct 27, 2016, 2:53 AM)


bax22syr
Novice

Oct 27, 2016, 12:08 PM

Post #9 of 9 (1434 views)
Re: 2003 Cartier Town Car trunk won't stay latched < 50 degrees Sign In

Thanx for the info Tom...Will let you know how I make out. Might be a day or two. We have snow in the air today. Going to wait for a warmer day...






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