Hello, everyone!
After a few months of probing my deck lid with J hooks and screwdrivers, I finally got it open with the aid of an endoscope and a good screwdriver, My latch mechanism had a "double whammy", with a broken pivot and a broken emergency release lever. I was able to repair the pivot with a metal core, and would show a photo of it, but the pics don't reveal much of the repair features. I can supply details to anyone who PMs me, though.
Replacement of the emergency release lever was easy, and the accompanying photo shows everything. The lever itself is 5/16 inch thick aluminum, and a metal hub and hardware secure it in place. The lever mates with the original cable and fitting that link it to the 'glow in the dark' release handle. I also added a cable that is accessible in the LH license light mounting hole, to provide rapid opening of the trunk if the pivot fails again. Here's a pic of the release lever - I don't think this one will fail!



Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and facilitated my repair of the deck lid latch!

/Rich

 

Ready to start my next "must do". I have had my crossfire since 05. Cannot find the key wrench anywhere. What exactly is it and where can I get one?

 

If this is the roadster top tool you are referring to, then :

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ch/1295810066/

 

It is the tool in post 122 in the first picture. Do you have to have that tool or will the rachet shown allow me to put the fix shown in that post without it?

 

In my experience, it is convenient but not necessary. I think you can get that ratchet in a kit sold by Harbor Freight.

 

Spent $350 3 years agon for a taillight assy. on line since the socket comes with complete assy. only.

 

Put in the fix from Pizzaguy and found a broken piece floating around in the lock assembly. Part # 7 is broke and I was wondering what the part number is and where can I get one? I am guessing quite a few people have the same problem I do. Has somebody come up with an alternate way to get around this broken piece for the emergency trunk release?

 

See my post #181 in this thread. It's all metal, and not as flimsy as the original part.

 

The plastic piece, find 7, in thread # 187 is broken. How did you make the connection between the trunk latch cam and the yellow pull tab? My broken piece #7 will not allow that to happen. I have not got to the point of checking the cam you are talking about yet. I just found the broken piece on the trunk floor and determined where it came from. Tried two types of glue with no luck and ready to go get a two part epoxy and try that. I doubt that will work either.

 

In Post #181, I have replaced the OEM Part, find 7, with a roughly triangular aluminum plate, which rotates about the shaft that the original part was mounted upon. Referring to the pic in my post #181, the emergency release handle is connected to a cable that leads to the original find #7. That cable attaches to my aluminum part in the same way, at the top of my part.

 

A neat solution to the problem and nicely made, well done.

 

For any Coupe or Roadster Trunk lock issues, See this thread:

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...echanisms.html

 

If you are talking about the wrench to open/close the convertible top you can go to Home Depot and buy a set of THIN SHAFT for $29.95 instead of the $150.00+ that Chrysler dealers charge. You need the pack with a 10 mm open end. It is about 9 inches long. Also you can buy a set of license plate lights for $14.95 on amazon. These are plug in units and replace the lens and units. Only had my 2004 Roadster for about a year and have already learned to open the trunk thru the license plate lights. DO NOT PULL THE PLASTIC EMERGENCY RELEASE AS IT WILL BREAK. THERE IS A GREAT VIDEO ON YOUTUBE ABOUT GETTING INTO THE TRUNK THRU THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS.

 

My trunk lid is not jammed. My top won't come down. Beeping noise. Put velcro on both rods for secure connection. Windows go down. We do NOT hear trunk lock when i press button. My husband thinks it is the mysterious switch above passenger side ear but we cannot find anything there. No wires just the hole. Plastic and metal. I think it is trunk switch but don't know which part that is. Can pizzaguy or someone else please please please show us pictures of both parts. Thanks in advance and i await your reply.

 

Check that the bracket that holds the center divider is intact and that the switch has engaged with the divider. this can cause a failure.

the brackets can break and the switch becomes inoperable

 

Do a search, you can go in through the passenger side licence plate light opening and release the lock. There is a step by step with pictures on this site.

 

Looks good

 

This post is a gift that keeps on giving. I sort of inherited a crossfire from my wife's uncle a year ago and I love it. The hydraulic lift cylinders did not work when I got it so I have just been putting the top up and down manually. It worked fine until I accidentally hit the "top up" button while it was down. It did not go up, of course, but it did leave me with a trunk I could not open. This post and the threads around it saved me untold grief by explaining what happened. Plus, it pointed me to the solution as I managed to disengage the electric lock through the right side license plate light (per this video ). THANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS!!!

 

How do you get the license plate light socket out to try to get the truck open. Got the glass plate of so far but not sure how to get the plate out?

 

Don't even take the lens off or screws out. Use a credit card to get under the lip of the light and work it loose - it pops out.

THey snap in, the screws just hold the lens on so you can easily change the bulb.