Trunk Release Cable Replacement Cost Estimate

A technician will operate the release lever for the deck lid and observe how it reacts to normal usage. The technician will also inspect the latch assembly for signs of damage or corrosion. It may be necessary for the technician to remove the latch from the vehicle for inspection. At this time the latch actuator - the electrical component that unlatches the deck lid when the key fob is used - will also be inspected.

To replace a deck lid release cable, the technician will remove the deck lid interior trim panel and the latch assembly. The cable is disconnected from the latch. The technician will carefully pull the cable from the deck lid, making sure to remove any retainers holding it in place. Next, the cable is detached from the release lever inside the car. The door sill panels are removed along with any other interior trim panels that are covering the cable. The rear seat may need removal as well. Using the old cable as a guide, the technician will snake the new cable through the same pathway that the original cable was led. With the new cable in place, the cable ends are attached and the latch is reinstalled. The technician will manually close the latch without closing the deck lid in order to test the installation of the new cable. If it works properly, the trim components are reinstalled.

On today's cars it is easy to neglect the release mechanisms and lock cylinders on a vehicle. It is so much easier to simply push a button on the key fob. But, should the battery die for some reason, manual forms of entry are the only way into a vehicle. RepairPal recommends that the release cable and lock cylinders, whether in the deck lid or in the doors, be operated periodically as part of routine vehicle maintenance. This will help to prevent the components from seizing up and failing prematurely.

When the interior trim panels are removed for access to the deck lid release cable, it is possible to come into contact with sensitive components, such as fiber-optic cables, electronics, or SRS system components (airbags and wiring). Extreme care should be taken when working around these vehicle parts.

Replacement of the deck lid release cable can be done on most vehicles by someone with intermediate DIY experience. Keep in mind that several interior trim panels may need to be removed. Care should be exercised to avoid breaking the trim. It may be challenging to route the cable through some parts of the vehicle body. One way to facilitate running the new cable is to tape the old and new cables end-to-end and use the old one to pull the new one through any hard to reach areas.