Automatic trunk pop with auto open
#1
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Automatic trunk pop with auto open
Guys, anyone ever get the auto trunk springs to work for the SC400 so that when you pop the trunk it actually pops open?
I wired my alarm with the trunk pop but without the springs to pull the trunk up and open it just basically unlocks in and stays closed.
These auto opening trunk springs don't look like they'd work for the sc400 trunk arms. Anyone do this and what product did you use?
I wired my alarm with the trunk pop but without the springs to pull the trunk up and open it just basically unlocks in and stays closed.
These auto opening trunk springs don't look like they'd work for the sc400 trunk arms. Anyone do this and what product did you use?
#2
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wait a minute...wait one ding dang minute...the trunk is SUPPOSED to pop open automatically (standard feature) when I unlock it?!
I guess my rear trunk struts need replacing. I had no idea until I watched a YT video and the guy popped the trunk and it automatically opened! Mind blown...
I guess my rear trunk struts need replacing. I had no idea until I watched a YT video and the guy popped the trunk and it automatically opened! Mind blown...
#3
LOL I didn't know this either... the trunk didn't pop when I bought it. It's gotten a lot worse now, to the point where it won't even stay up. Does anyone have good recommendations for replacement struts?
#4
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
I've never seen an SC whose trunk opened automatically, even with fresh struts. As far as I know, it should just pop the lock without raising up, and it will re-lock itself if left like that for too long. (I think I've only had that happen once.) A re-locking feature wouldn't make sense if it were intended to automatically raise.
#5
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I don't think we're allowed to post external links here but if you want to see it in action go to youtube.com and search for this video by _haunted then scrub to 8:10
How To Replace Trunk Struts on a Lexus SC400 SC300
Should look like this:
#6
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
The part # in the video (pm1057-pr) says it's for SC's -- my first guess was he got something spec'd for a much heavier trunk or hatch -- but something doesn't seem right there. I have to think the trunk would be really difficult to close if it has that much more initial "spring" than normal. The video ends without showing that...
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ESCEE400 (01-17-24)
#7
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Recommendations?
If they're all like this then probably better to just go with the spring hack and save yourself the trouble of continuingly having to replace the trunk struts all the time!
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#8
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The part # in the video (pm1057-pr) says it's for SC's -- my first guess was he got something spec'd for a much heavier trunk or hatch -- but something doesn't seem right there. I have to think the trunk would be really difficult to close if it has that much more initial "spring" than normal. The video ends without showing that...
listed on this OEM site lexuspartsnow
https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/...530-29025.html
Last edited by ESCEE400; 01-17-24 at 08:07 AM. Reason: forgot the spoiler detail
#9
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I've had the same thing happen to me. Worked as a pop up for the first 2 - 3 weeks and then stopped and now it only clicks open and i have to nudge it up a bit for it to go up. Personally I don't mind that at all but I'm glad the spring thing exists if i decide to have the auto open function at some point
#10
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I've had the same thing happen to me. Worked as a pop up for the first 2 - 3 weeks and then stopped and now it only clicks open and i have to nudge it up a bit for it to go up. Personally I don't mind that at all but I'm glad the spring thing exists if i decide to have the auto open function at some point
#11
Lead Lap
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If it happens for just a couple weeks with new struts, then I see only two possible answers:
1) Aftermarket struts are horrible quality and their capabilities diminish almost immediately after install. (The replacements in my '98 were getting too weak to fully raise the trunk lid after a couple years, so I'm not ruling out that possibility! I need to re-do them soon.)
2) Aftermarket struts -- at least some of them -- are stronger than stock and provide too much lift until breaking in, meaning the system was not intended to auto-raise. Losing that quality within a couple weeks would not have been acceptable with the OEM setup, had it been a thing.
1) Aftermarket struts are horrible quality and their capabilities diminish almost immediately after install. (The replacements in my '98 were getting too weak to fully raise the trunk lid after a couple years, so I'm not ruling out that possibility! I need to re-do them soon.)
2) Aftermarket struts -- at least some of them -- are stronger than stock and provide too much lift until breaking in, meaning the system was not intended to auto-raise. Losing that quality within a couple weeks would not have been acceptable with the OEM setup, had it been a thing.
#12
Not aware of anything like “auto-raise” for 1st gen SCs. Just replace the struts with new ones. The slightly stronger ones may lift the lid to an open position when there is no spoiler but hard to call that “auto-raise”.
The wife’s LS460 has the actual motor to mechanically raise the trunk and the button to “auto-close” it. My LS430 lid is extremely heavy and has to be hoisted up after engaging the trunk release; there is motor to gracefully close/lock the lid (instead of allowing it to slam down and shake all of the tail lights housed in the lid).
Can’t see how the aftermarket springs would fit….
The video above depicts the challenges of replacing the struts and make sure the new units include the bolts (mine didn’t and the old bolts had to be cut out of the original struts to be re-used with the new parts.).
The wife’s LS460 has the actual motor to mechanically raise the trunk and the button to “auto-close” it. My LS430 lid is extremely heavy and has to be hoisted up after engaging the trunk release; there is motor to gracefully close/lock the lid (instead of allowing it to slam down and shake all of the tail lights housed in the lid).
Can’t see how the aftermarket springs would fit….
The video above depicts the challenges of replacing the struts and make sure the new units include the bolts (mine didn’t and the old bolts had to be cut out of the original struts to be re-used with the new parts.).
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Bimmerbill (01-21-24)
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Duck05 (01-22-24)
#14
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