You may have lost the key to your car’s trunk lock cylinder, or it may have broken and no longer work. Don’t worry, you don’t need a key to take out the trunk lock cylinder.
We’ll show you step-by-step how to remove a trunk lock cylinder without a key. Afterward, you can quickly install a new cylinder and lock your trunk with ease.
Table of Contents
Guide to Remove a Trunk Lock Cylinder Without a Key
Step 1: Get the tools you need
Make sure you have the following tools before you start the trunk lock cylinder removal:
- Screwdriver with a Phillips head
- Screwdriver with a flat head
- Pliers Needle-nose pliers
- Wrench
- A new key for the trunk lock
Step 2: Take off the trunk cover
Using a flathead screwdriver as your removal tool, slowly remove the panel clips starting at the bottom of the trunk panel and working your way up. Once the clips are gone, carefully lift the panel off and put it somewhere else.
Step 3: Take the cylinder apart
Find the lock cylinder, which is attached to the mechanism for closing the trunk. The cylinder will be held in place by a clip or a screw. Use the Phillips-head screwdriver or pliers to remove the clip or screw and separate the cylinder from the trunk latch.
Step 4: Remove a lock cylinder
With the cylinder disconnected, use needle-nose pliers to pull it out of the latch slowly.
Then, you can proceed to install the trunk lock cylinder.
Other Methods to Remove the Trunk Lock Cylinder
It’s important to note that the methods above should only be utilized as a last resort when other options like getting a new key or expert help aren’t possible. These alternate ways can damage the trunk or vehicle, so be careful.
1. Picking the trunk lock
If you need to change the cylinder of the trunk lock but don’t have the key, you can pick the trunk lock. With this method, you need to use special tools to move the lock pins and get them in the right place to turn the lock and open the trunk.
2. Drilling out the lock of the trunk
If picking the lock is too hard or doesn’t work, you can also drill out the trunk lock. With this method, you use a drill to make a hole in the lock, which lets you turn the lock by hand and open the trunk.
But drilling will certainly damage the lock you might need to replace the lock system afterward.
3. How to pick a GM trunk lock
If you are dealing with a trunk lock from a General Motors (GM) car, you can pick the lock using specific methods for GM locks. To open the trunk without a key this way, you must know how to work with GM lock mechanisms and be good at it.
4. Pry open a Kia Forte trunk
As you want to unlock a Kia Forte trunk from the outside, wedging or prying between the trunk lid and the vehicle’s body forces the trunk open. To pry open a trunk, you can harm the trunk and vehicle, thus it should only be done as a last resort.
5. Computer-based Impala trunk opening
To open an Impala’s trunk, you may need computer system expertise. Modern trunk opening mechanisms contain electrical components and security systems.
If you can’t access an Impala trunk, you may need computer system expertise to fix electronic or security issues.
FAQs
What is a trunk lock cylinder?
The part of a car that locks and opens the trunk is called the trunk lock cylinder. It has a cylinder that can be turned with a keyhole, a latch that links to a striker on the vehicle body, and a way for the latch to move into and out of contact with the striker when the cylinder is turned.
How much does it cost to replace a trunk lock cylinder?
Depending on the make and model of the car and how much the repair shop charges for labor, to replace a trunk lock cylinder, you may need anywhere from $120 to $250.
For instance, a Ford ignition lock cylinder removal for the F-105 model can cost about $190 – $230.
How difficult is it to replace a 1997 Lincoln Town Car trunk latch?
Replacing a trunk lock on a 1997 Lincoln Town Car is a relatively challenging procedure that requires basic mechanical knowledge and tools. It entails removing and replacing the old latch assembly with a new one.
Is an ignition lock cylinder the same as a trunk lock cylinder?
They are different. An ignition lock cylinder is part of a car where the key goes to turn on the engine. A trunk lock cylinder is a piece that lets you use a key to lock and unlock the trunk.
Due to the importance of this part, to remove an ignition lock cylinder may be more difficult than a trunk lock cylinder.
Conclusion
It might seem hard to think about how to remove a trunk lock cylinder without a key, but it’s not that hard if you have the right tools and follow the steps carefully.
By following the guide, you can take off the old trunk lock cylinder and put on a new one. This will keep your trunk safe and make sure it works well.
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