Hi. I have a 1991 LS400. Trunk was operating normally. One day dropped my folks off at the plane and got their luggage out, later that day it wouldn't open. Using the electric release there is a click at the rear indicating it is trying to work. Using the key, the tumbler turns (although it is resisting turning). This tells me that the key release is not a problem and that it is resisting something jammed in the mechanism below (probably flexing the rod attachment between the tumbler and the actual stricker assembly).

I thought I could take out the back seat to access this but the gas tank is in the way. I'm told by local Toyota dealer to remove the subwoofer and try to access that way. I'm skeptical about being able to see or reach the mechanism.

Any ideas or experience out there? It's starting to look like cutting a hole behind the licence plate right at the locking mechanism is the best alternative.

 

push down on the trunk lid while turning the key

 

Hi. I posted this a couple of months ago and am still optomistic someone has encountered/solved this problem. Only reply I've received is to lean on the trunk while turning the key, which does not work.

I have a 1991 LS400. Trunk was operating normally. One day dropped my folks off at the plane and got their luggage out, later that day it wouldn't open. Using the electric release there is a click at the rear indicating it is trying to work. Using the key, the tumbler turns (although it is resisting turning). This tells me that the key release is not a problem and that it is resisting something jammed in the mechanism below (probably flexing the rod attachment between the tumbler and the actual stricker assembly).

I thought I could take out the back seat to access this but the gas tank is in the way. I'm told by local Toyota dealer to remove the subwoofer and try to access that way. I'm skeptical about being able to see or reach the mechanism.

Any ideas or experience out there? It's starting to look like cutting a hole behind the licence plate right at the locking mechanism is the best alternative.

 

cut a big hole in the trunk lid, fix the problem, buy a new trunk lid .

problem solved.