This is a weird one, I've searched the facbook lexus pages as well as had a mechanic investigate. I must have my ignition in the on position or running to pop the trunk, close the trunk and pop the gas access. This comes after years of owning the car. Now my mechanic said the gas access and trunk have no shared electrical at all and that it must be some kind of programming preference thing which is probably bullshit. Has anyone faced this?

 

Do you have techstream where you can see the settings that can be changed? Did this happen all of a sudden? My LS430 works normal but there could be a setting to change that. My 2020 ES300h does have a option setting where the trunk will not open unless key fob nearby but I have it set to open if doors are unlocked without fob.

 

Close the trunk? As in, the power closer will not kick in when you lower the lid, unless the ignition is on? That cannot be normal. I was thinking you pressed in the trunk release key lock (that round chrome thing under the dash) but I doubt that would account for all of the above.

 

that's correct the trunk will not latch unless the key is on. Like you said no way this is a setting.

 

Agree it is not a setting. So if you open trunk with mechanical key it will not latch close? If that is the case try lubricating the latch to see if any difference.

 

it won't close unless the car has power. It's not a mechanical issue. It's electrical

 

Sounds like a wiring/electrical/computer issue. I mean, the closer at least I assume should ALWAYS get power, so this is very odd. But you probably know that already.

 

Did it recently rain a lot where you live? If so check the fuse box in the trunk on the drivers side fender wall. See if maybe you have a leak behind the tail light gasket.

 

Try disconnecting connector at latch and try mechanical key to see if closes. Have there ever been water in left wheel well and if so problems most likely fuse block assembly.

 

The gas cap button can be locked. Would that button being locked also cause the trunk behavior?

 

gas cap lock location?

 

If you look down where the trunk and gas release are located, there is a lock, pop out the key and unlock it.

It can be pressed accidentally -lol not the best design.

 

Yes - this happened to me on an auction car. The lock got pushed in when I tried the fob key. I had to get a locksmith and build a key - I only had the fob from 2004 and the key in the fob didn't work and pushed the lock in.

 

i wish there was an emergency / cable release for the trunk

 

Did this fix your problem Squirrel?