Outside trunk opener button melting (merged threads)
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: FL
Pretty easy. Just removed the truck lid liner and unplugged/unbolted the old one. Didn't really have to remove the trunk lid liner completely. Just the right side. Plugged in the new one and bolted it back in, then reattached the trunk lid liner. Done. 30 minutes max. Nice to be able to open my trunk again without fiddling with the keys or going to the switch inside the car. Not sure what happened to my old switch, but it was a melted, gooey mess.
Got the part from sewellparts with the CL discount for only $51.74 plus shipping. Not sure what it would have cost at the dealer to have it replaced, but I'm pretty sure it would have been a lot more than that. The partnership between CL and Sewellparts is a great deal for the members here.
Got the part from sewellparts with the CL discount for only $51.74 plus shipping. Not sure what it would have cost at the dealer to have it replaced, but I'm pretty sure it would have been a lot more than that. The partnership between CL and Sewellparts is a great deal for the members here.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 594
Likes: 37
From: Kentucky
Problem with trunk button
So on my new 04, the trunk button plastic/rubber seems to have been melted. Melted is probably not the right term, but everytime I touch it to open the trunk, the gooey rubber leaves a black residue to my finger. It is soft, maybe not like bubble gum soft, but soft enough I think I can probably peel it off. I have a tape covering it right now just so I can keep my fingers clean. Anyone having this same problem? Can it be replaced? Or do I have to replace the entire locking mechanism (which I am sure not cheap).
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 716
Likes: 168
From: FL
Driver
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 78
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Imagine that you were to take the button out from the mounting in the trunk, throw it in the microwave, and turn it on for 10 minutes. That's what it looks like, it's melted to hell.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 566
Likes: 26
From: MD
yeah, mine is the same way. i was reading someone else had an issue with their button and in the thread they discussed how the rubberized coating has just deteriorated over time. someone said they removed the coating and covered it with a piece of felt. i just ordered a new switch from amazon (about $44). waiting for it to come in to swap it out.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 594
Likes: 37
From: Kentucky
yeah, mine is the same way. i was reading someone else had an issue with their button and in the thread they discussed how the rubberized coating has just deteriorated over time. someone said they removed the coating and covered it with a piece of felt. i just ordered a new switch from amazon (about $44). waiting for it to come in to swap it out.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 566
Likes: 26
From: MD
i got my replacement trunk switch in today. i installed it, still doesn't fix a problem i had, but i kinda figure that it would not fix it. but it's nice to actually feel the button work compared to what it was & how it felt before.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 566
Likes: 26
From: MD
also FYI, for anyone taking off the trunk trim that covers the trunk button, camera, keyhole, & license plate lights......in the center there are 2 little clips that could break depending on how brittle they are. NAPA sells the exact replacement that slide right into the plastic bracket that holds them. there are only 2 on the trunk, but the packs are only available in a pack of 7. if anyone needs it, the part # is 665-2849. both of mine broke last time i had it off. and i found that the center of the trim doesn't sit against the body anymore. once i replaced them, it sits flush against the body again.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 87
From: Delaware
Welp, not sure how my button "melted" during the wintertime, but the last couple months, MY trunk release button at the exterior trunk sill, is now a statistic. It still works, but it's deforming and very difficult to open using it. I'll contemplate the documented solutions... 
(I know it literally didn't melt, but simply the rubber decomposed after 160k miles and travelling all along the east coast since 2005, lol)
(I know it literally didn't melt, but simply the rubber decomposed after 160k miles and travelling all along the east coast since 2005, lol)