Installing power trunk solenoid?

[PurpleMystique]

I was curious if anyone has ever tried this. I've got a couple spare outputs on the keyless entry I installed and I'd like to convert it from a mechanical lever to an actuator. They have kits for this on eBay (like here) that look like they should work. Does anyone know how hard this would be to install? I've got no problem with the electrical work, I'm just curious about actually hooking up the actuator. Any help?

 

[Big Jim]

If the car has power door locks it will already have a solonoid. I would look for a way to use that.

 

[PurpleMystique]

If the car has power door locks it will already have a solonoid. I would look for a way to use that.

So there's a solenoid sitting in the trunk area that's not being used for anything at all? I'm not sure if we understand each other. The solenoid is the actual motor that pulls the trunk latch open, and there has to be one specifically for the trunk, sitting in the trunk area near the latch. I don't know why there's be one sitting there doing nothing, but if there is, that's good news. Did any Contours come with remote trunk poppers? None of the three I've had had keyless entry, so I'm not sure.

 

[IRingTwyce]

Yes...if you had factory keyless entry, you've got the remote trunk release on your fob.

 

[PurpleMystique]

Yes...if you had factory keyless entry, you've got the remote trunk release on your fob.

That's interesting. Well, as I stated before I didn't but I'm assuming this should be easy enough to do. Would the wiring already be in place?

 

[chrisl311]

the keyless entry un-latches the truck, but doesnt open it, i would imagine it the trunk arms would just need to be retrofitted with spring like the hood lift kits?

 

[PurpleMystique]

the keyless entry un-latches the truck, but doesnt open it, i would imagine it the trunk arms would just need to be retrofitted with spring like the hood lift kits?

I like that it doesn't lift it, that way I can put the trunk down without latching it.

 

[projectSHO89]

I installed an aftermarket remote starter/keyless entry in my 98. It had PDL but no RKE.

I picked up a solenoid out of a junkyard and wired it in. As I recall, I had to run the whole wiring run.

I also installed the factory-deleted popper spring.

Steve

 

[PurpleMystique]

I installed an aftermarket remote starter/keyless entry in my 98. It had PDL but no RKE.

I picked up a solenoid out of a junkyard and wired it in. As I recall, I had to run the whole wiring run.

I also installed the factory-deleted popper spring.

Steve

Thanks for the info! I'll probably pick one of these up off of eBay in the next week or so.