Trunk randomly popping by itself.

Well this a new strange problem. Doesn't happen very often but enough to make me say WTF?

I'll come out to my car and the trunk is popped open. I'm 100% positive I didn't hit the button on the door panel nor did I press the button on the remote.

Anyone come across this problem before? Maybe a possible short somewhere?

Its kinda funny but annoying at the same time. Thankfully I have nothing of value in my trunk at the moment.

suggest you pull the drivers door interior trim panel and check for the wires from the trunk pushbutton to be chafed and shorting to the door, the door jamb, or a ground wire. You may have to go into the bundle of wires thru the doorjamb to find the short. Once you find it if it's not cut thru wrap it with some good (like 3M) electrical tape or silicone insulating tape that sticks to itself.

you may be able to get the trunk to stop popping by turning the switch in the glove box off - however no kidding you need to find the short, becuase the way the Riv is wired other anomalous stuff will happen if you leave that intermittent ground in place. ask me how I know...

there is a remote (ha ha) chance that there's a radio signal popping your trunk from somewhere other than your remotes. if you don't find a short in the wire bundle that'd be what I'd suspect unless your receiver (under the rear deck between the rear speakers) is wack - in which case consider a replacement from a dealer or junkyard, and then having the key fobs reprogrammed (see your service manual)

Albertj

I agree that the most likely problem spot is the driver's door wiring, and the easiest check
is to turn off the valet switch in the glove compartment...

If it still pops, then the problem is likely a remote that is tripping in your pocket, which you can
test by prying it open it up with the head of the trunk key (Yes - it's a perfect match for the pry area!)
and removing the battery... To follow Albert's pun, there is also a remote possibility that it is the RFA
module in the trunk, beneath the package tray.

Eldo wrote:

I agree that the most likely problem spot is the driver's door wiring, and the easiest check
is to turn off the valet switch in the glove compartment...

If it still pops, then the problem is likely a remote that is tripping in your pocket, which you can
test by prying it open it up with the head of the trunk key (Yes - it's a perfect match for the pry area!)
and removing the battery... To follow Albert's pun, there is also a remote possibility that it is the RFA
module in the trunk, beneath the package tray.

remote in the pocket is a great catch, I missed that.

you can disassemble and clean it, if you leave the battery in place you don't have to reprogram it - just open it then pull the circuit boart out and separate it from the rubber button pad (they simply pull apart and press together no glue). Clean it all with rubbing alcohol (pref. 91%) or dry gas (or grain drinking alcohol if you're flush and have it around).

albertj wrote:

Eldo wrote:

I agree that the most likely problem spot is the driver's door wiring, and the easiest check
is to turn off the valet switch in the glove compartment...

If it still pops, then the problem is likely a remote that is tripping in your pocket, which you can
test by prying it open it up with the head of the trunk key (Yes - it's a perfect match for the pry area!)
and removing the battery... To follow Albert's pun, there is also a remote possibility that it is the RFA
module in the trunk, beneath the package tray.

remote in the pocket is a great catch, I missed that.

you can disassemble and clean it, if you leave the battery in place you don't have to reprogram it - just open it then pull the circuit boart out and separate it from the rubber button pad (they simply pull apart and press together no glue). Clean it all with rubbing alcohol (pref. 91%) or dry gas (or grain drinking alcohol if you're flush and have it around).

You can also use this time to re-solder the battery holder, which usually pulls loose from the board...

(Oh, and removing the battery from a remote doesn't require a full reprogramming - you just might have to
re-synchronize it by holding down Lock & Unlock together for about 8 seconds, until the horn toots.)

Cool, thanks for the tips guys.

I'll start with the switch in the glove box and check behind the door panel. It hasn't happened since I posted the problem(go figure!).

Hopefully its a simple fix.

Thanks again, I'll report back.

I'd check the remote first, it's easier to mess with than that door panel.

Albertj

Good point!

I'll do that in the morning.

Thanks.

VJD2 wrote:

Good point!

I'll do that in the morning.

Thanks.

so... what happened?

albertj wrote:

so... what happened?

Well I found someone locally selling a brand new key FOB for $10. Picked it up, programmed it and the trunk hasn't popped since.

Coincidence? Maybe but we'll see what happens and go from there.

Thanks again for the tip.

You're welcome - I'll keep my fingers crossed!