DshngDaryl

This weekend I replaced my trunk hinge. The car was throwing a code B2510 code, which is a "Short in Pulse Width Modulation Motor LH Circuit" I disconnected each connector and re-ran the tech stream test. Finally I disconnected this motor and the error went away. So I knew this motor was the culprit.


Instead of buying just the motor, I thought I'd buy the entire hinge. I found a guy on eBay who sold me a left side hinge he had for $100 with the caveat that it was AS-IS with no warranty.

Since I wanted to make sure I didn't throw off the trunk alignment with the install, I bought a grease pencil/Giant Crayon and outlined both hinges on the trunk floor and the trunk lid. That way I could put the hinge exactly in the same location I removed it from.

Then I had a buddy help me loosen the trunk lid and we lifted it off.

We disconnected the wiring harness and unscrewed the three nuts that hold the hinge in.

There are shims under the hinge, so you want to take those into account when you re-install.

It turns out all that tracing wasn't needed. The hinge fits in really tight and it only fit in over the three bolts one way and ended up exactly square in my outline. (probably why they have three bolts)
The trunk lid has self centering screws, so it fit exactly in place also.

I put the hinge/shims in, bolted it down and hooked up my wiring harnesses.

VOILA! All done!

Unfortunately it didn't work. When I pushed the button there was some movement but the red light on the convertible button started flashing. It turns out I bought the new hinge because my latch motor wasn't working and the hinge motor on the new hinge wasn't working.

Good news is, after taking my old motor off and putting it on the new hinge all is well.

I have opened and closed the top half a dozen times and there are no creaks, groans, binding or any other concerning noises. In fact my trunk lid fits better than it ever has.

I am hopeful this resolves my top issue for good.

Bon

So, what do you think your original problem was? You thought the motor was bad but you were able to put it in the new/used hinge and it now works? Did you do anything to the motor or was the old hinge worn out or in need of lubrication?

DshngDaryl

My latch motor was bad and his hinge motor was bad.

When I put the two good motors on the new hinge, everything worked.

Bon

Got it. Great to know. Thanks!

Harold57

Do you have a picture of the motor from farther away so that it is easier to tell where it is mounted? Great job, BTW.

DshngDaryl

Unfortunately not, but it is in the one that hangs down in the middle of the hinge. It is also the only one that has a green wire.

JohnnyCake

Awesome detective work -- its a great feeling to know you just saved $2K