1990 Q45 Trunk won't open

[bearbear_pig]

Recently bought a 1990 Q45 and the previous owner only had the valet key....In the meantime, the trunk release on the driver's door is no longer releasing the trunk......any ideas on how to trouble shoot until he gets me the keys....I really don't want to go to the dealer or a locks smith and pay $50+ dollars for a replacement key, because I know that as soon as I get the key made he'll find the original keys.

The trunk release on the door had been working but recently stopped....and the switch in the glove box hadn't been touched. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I love my Q!

[Q451990]

It's probably a bad actuator in the trunk. Do you hear it click, but not the "clunk" you used to get? Anyway, I think you should be able to have a full key cut from the valet key... I think the only difference is the groove down the middle.

Welcome to NICO!

Heath

[AlabamaDan]

Dealer key is more like $150. That's probably the only thing.

[Q451990]

But I think he could have a full key cut using the valet key at a local locksmith. Probably $30 or so...

Heath

[Woot!]

On the trunk issue it could be the switch too.

$30 for a key isn't bad.

At the local hardware store where I work than just a normal double sided car key is only $1.50 and $.50 for employees, but for the kind of keys the Q's take it will be lots more. I only have 1 for mine right now. I will probably be getting a few more cut soon.

Oh and Welcome to Nico! Enjoy your stay here

[heywier427]

try having someone press down on the right side of the trunk while you press the trunk unlock.

or if you into danger, cut the groove in the valet key yourself!

[AlabamaDan]

You have to have a special machine to cut the older Q keys. There's one guy in town that has one and wants about $40 for it and can cut from the valet key. Not bad. I wanted the cool OEM key so it was my Christmas present. The newer Q keys have a chip in them.

Did the pushing idea work?

[Desmoquattro]

This might not have anything to do with your specific issue, but I think it's worth posting because I had a problem with my trunk lock too.

If the lock is loose (you can jiggle it around) then the snap-in locking spacer has come out. You need to open the trunk, remove the pop-plugs holding the trim on the inside of the lid, and pull down to the trim to reveal the lock mechanism. There should be a black metal "fork" with a 6 inch handle wedged into around the outside of the lock barrel. If its missing, search around inside the lid panels. You have to play around with this and find the orientation where you can jam the prongs of the fork on either side of the barrel, where it will wedge in solid and keep the lock from moving.

If the lock is loose it will make it difficult to open the trunk with the key, you have the whack the trunk lid while turning. However, in my case it didn't make any difference with the electric release. Obviously without the main (non-valet) key that doesn't matter.

Be sure to check the fuse(s) before you do anything else! No use in screwing around if it's just a blown fuse for the actuator servo.

[Q451990]

Several members have had great success with this guy:

McLock Locksmith(864) 934-3411 or (864) 231-9671E-mail: [email protected]

I have been told that he can do magical things, like cut keys from a faxed copy of your existing key - but I don't know if that's true or not...

Heath

[Haitian_King]

Several members have had great success with this guy:

McLock Locksmith(864) 934-3411 or (864) 231-9671E-mail: [email protected]

I have been told that he can do magical things, like cut keys from a faxed copy of your existing key - but I don't know if that's true or not...

Heath

What? That's crazy! Pretty cool.