I posted this in the 92 - 99 forum but it probably was the wrong place to do so. Sorry for the double post.

The other day I was going out and put some stuff in the trunk. When I went to shut the lid, it didn't catch. Tried a few times and then took a different car. The next day I had a look to see if it was something simple. I checked the factory service manual and they have diagnostics for when it won't open, but not when it won't stay shut. I hear clicking when the switch is pressed, so I know the switch is okay. I think I'm hearing a relay near the glove compartment, and also clicking at the back when someone else pushes the button, but not the usual clunk I used to hear. Everything looked clean, but I sprayed some silicone spray in there and disconnected the connections and put some dielectric grease on them. When I put a screwdriver through the latch mechanism it slips in and right out and doesn't catch. Has anybody had this happen to them? Any ideas what could be wrong - solenoid? I did a quick check on RockAuto.com and didn't see a solenoid, so I hope I can get the part.

Alternatively, does anybody know how to modify it so that it opens manually with the key rather than electronically with the remote button?

Thanks in advance.

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1996 Oldsmobile 88 LS
3.8 NA

move the latch manually while open - see if it locks

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poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am

The latch does not lock when moved manually.

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1996 Oldsmobile 88 LS
3.8 NA

Interesting development - yesterday was an unusually windy day and since the trunk was not latched, it blew open. My wife saw that from the house and went out and closed it. Low and behold, when she closed it, it latched shut! She tried it a few more times and it kept working. This is baffling, but my best guess is by spraying stuff in there etc. it must have freed something up. I wish all my cars would fix themselves like this! Hopefully this is the end of it, but just in case, I'm keeping some rope in the trunk to tie it down in case it flakes out while I'm out.

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1996 Oldsmobile 88 LS
3.8 NA