Trunk - Lid Does Not Open With Inside Lever

Classification:
BT97-028

Reference:
NTB97-088

Date:
December 1, 1997

1998 ALTIMA TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN WITH INSIDE LEVER

APPLIED VEHICLE:
All 1998 Altima (L30)

SERVICE INFORMATION

Use the procedure in this bulletin to diagnose and repair a 1998 Altima if the trunk lid opens with the key but does not open when the inside trunk release lever is pulled.

SERVICE PROCEDURE





Check # 1
If the trunk lid will not open with the inside trunk release lever, use the key to open the trunk. Make sure the valet switch (if so equipped) is pulled all the way up (see Figure 1). If it is down, pull it up and try the lever again.





Check # 2
Make sure the black plastic tip has not fallen off of the trunk latch lever (see Figure 2). If it is missing, look for it near the striker or in the spare tire well. Install it again with a light glue.





Check # 3
Move the trunk opener flag on the striker assembly by hand and make sure it moves freely with no pre-load on the cable (see Figure 3).





Check # 4
Check the contact point between the trunk opener flag and the trunk latch lever as follows (see Figure 4):

1. Coat the plastic tip of the latch lever with a light colored marker (e.g.: typing correction fluid - "white out" or white grease).

2. Close the trunk. Pull the inside trunk release lever all the way up.





3. Open the trunk and observe the contact point where the marker transferred from the latch lever to the opener flag. If should be as near to the center of the flag as possible (see Figure 5).





4. If the contact point appears at the front of the flag (toward the front of the vehicle), correct it by bending the latch assembly back (toward the rear of the vehicle) by hand (see Figure 6). Pull backward equally on both sides of the latch. Check the contact again.





Check # 5
If the flag engagement is OK as shown in Figure 5 and the trunk lid still does not open with the inside trunk release lever, adjust the pre-load on the cable (see Figure 7).

1. Remove the trunk rear finisher, loosen the bolt on the cable housing.

2. Move the cable bracket toward the left side of the vehicle.

The intent is to put slightly more preload on the cable.

3. Verify the trunk release operation again. Then if necessary, replace the cable.





Check # 6
If the trunk is difficult to close, the flag could be contacting the trunk latch release lever during closing which causes the trunk latch to release. If this is the case, the cable should be adjusted as follows to put slightly less preload on the cable (see Figure 8).

1. Remove the trunk rear finisher, loosen the bolt on the cable housing.

2. Move the cable bracket toward the right side of the vehicle.

3. If necessary, elongate the slot with a small round file to provide more movement of the cable bracket.





PARTS INFORMATION

CLAIMS INFORMATION
When applicable, standard claims coding applies.