Passenger Compartment Trunk Release Switch
Written by Dustin W Hendrix
Tools:
| ¼ in ratchet | ½ in drill bit and drill |
| 7mm socket ¼ in | 100 grit sandpaper |
| 10mm socket ¼ in | 18 or 20 gauge wire(green and black) |
| hacksaw blade | solder iron, solder and flux(optional) |
| extra small flathead screwdriver | electrical tape |
| multipurpose wire cutting tool | zip ties |
| angled needle nose pliers | switch |
Pictures:
Prep Procedure:
Find a switch. It should be a plunger type, two post switch designed to complete the circuit momentarily. I strongly recommend a GM part(no aftermarket stuff!) I got mine from a salvage yard; came out of a 90’s model Cadillac Sedan. Hole prep procedure will vary depending on the switch you find i.e. round or square. The one I found was round with a self-securing housing.
Decide where you want to place your switch. When you open the glove box there is a blank area on the LEFT. This is where I placed my switch. Instructions are written according to this placement.
Prep the wires. You’ll need about 16in. Cut to length and attach new terminals on one end(switch end). Tape the wires together leaving two(2) inches exposed at both ends.
Installation Procedure:
Remove Glove Box. With the angled pliers remove the two(2) trim retaining plugs. There are three but remove only the front two; this will allow you to pull the trim down enough to get to the three(3) screws securing the glove box. With the 7mm socket remove the three(3) screws securing the glove box.(leaving the glove box latched will make it easier.) Unlatch the glove box and remove the tension cord on the right from the top hook. Remove glove box.
Drill Hole. NOTE: there is a steel support member behind the blank area. Measure 3 7/8in from the RIGHT side/edge. I started with a ½ bit as a pilot hole. DO NOT attempt to bore out the hole with the drill bit! The material does not bore evenly and will grab the bit. Use sandpaper; the material sands easily and quickly. Wrap the paper around something cylindrical and that slightly tapers. I used an automotive parts cleaning brush. Be sure to pause often to check hole size. If the switch you’ve selected is square, after drilling the pilot hole, use a hacksaw blade to size the hole. My switch had a notch to keep it from turning in the hole, I used to hacksaw blade to cut a corresponding notch outside the hole.
Insert the taped wires through the hole you made and route through the hole in the support member.
Remove Relay. Disconnect battery. With the 10mm socket remove the relay bracket from the crossbeam support. Find the Rear Compartment Lid Release Relay. It will be grey and have four(4) wires going into it: two(2) Orange [according to the wiring diagram but mine were Green] one(1) Black/White, and one(1) Brown. [Yes, I know there are three grey boxes to choose from, so to be certain I had the right one I operated the relay. Because I forgot to disconnect the battery.] Unplug the relay.
Bypass Relay. After removing the retaining pin use the extra small flathead screwdriver to remove the A2(Blk/Wht) and C1(Org or Grn) terminals. The correct ones will be diagonal from each other. Attach the Black wire to the Black/White terminal and the Green Wire to the Orange(or Green) terminal. Reinstall and put everything back together.
Connect terminals to switch and install switch in hole.
