The trunk release button stopped working on my 2003 SC 430. I have made sure the switch in the glove box is pushed in and checked all fuses. The remote opens the trunk as it should. In addition the top will not go down. I have made sure everything is properly afixed in the trunk, but when I go to push down the top button all that happens is a red flashing light. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Are you sure you pulled out the cover in the trunk

 

Do you have the trunk vinyl cover engaged as it needs to be for the top to fold down?

 

Seems like this is the key. Have you tried manually opening the trunk using the pull hidden at the bottom of the glove box between the seats?

 

I remember my trunk wouldnt open from the button under dash but would from the remote.. found out it was because the valet button in glove box was pressed. For the top i only get the flashing light if that vinyl isnt pulled into its switch. I assume it would do same if the trunk was left open accidently.

guys is there any sort of warning on cluster or anywhere if the top is malfunctioning?

 

I just had my LuxLink installed three weeks ago (remote start is awesome for this bitter winter!) and i realized that my trunk button and gas tank release wasn't working. I was really worried. Checked the fuses, nothing wrong with them. Seemed that the tech forgot to replace the harness behind the panel. Easy fix. In your case, since the top won't go down and the trunk won't open from within the car, I'm thinking it's the valet switch on the side of the glove box and/or the vinyl tonneau covers isn't in place. If you check these fixes and they are not the culprits, possibly check the trunk latch to make sure everything is clear and not being blocked by the plastic cover that runs along the edge. As for bimmer's question, I can't comment if there is any instrument cluster light if the top malfunctions. Sorry.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

First I double checked the trunk vinyl cover and it clicks in place on both sides.
Then I double checked the valet button in the glove box to make sure it is pushed in.
After that I pulled the trunk release in the rear console and it worked perfectly. I also checked the emergency lever inside the trunk release and it moved the latch release without a problem.

I am beginning to think my Lexus dealer is my only resort.

 

Newsbreak

Today I called the local Lexus dealer. I had stopped in last week for a recall on the passenger side air bag and they checked and found my car was not in the recall. That was good news, but the bad new was that the service manager after hearing my problem admitted that to check the passenger air bag they needed to take out he glove box and disconnect the valet trunk button. He told me to bring the car back as the mechanic probably failed to plug back in valet trunk button connection. I expect the problem should be solved after the the service visit.

 

Snagsr, seveal ppl on this forum reported that the airbag recall was performed poorly and that the techs did not reconnect everything. This is indicative of possibly a bigger issue, you should check everything very carefully for anything else that they messed up.

 

All that I have read about this recall has made me stay away from a recall dealing with dash work. From the beginning I said all that has happen, will happen.

Just stay away from the dealers on this one..The Tech's HATE recalls like these that are involved and don't PAY and I don't want that person under my dash!