• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

trunk release button mod

  • Thread starter Thread starter partsbill
  • Start date Start date Dec 19, 2007
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

partsbill

Member
Jul 27, 2006
108
1
16
Lake Worth, FL
Dec 19, 2007
#1
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #1
easy mod to do yourself. I used OEM part# 3W7Z 9B242 AA retail $15.58 or you can use a momentary push button switch (McMaster Carr P/N 6915K22 or Radio Shack Cat # 275-646), and solder two leads to it.

Next, Squeeze the sides of the glove box and it flips down. This will give you access to mount the switch. Drill a hole in the glove compartment box. Note there is a metal bar behind the right side of the glove compartment box. There is one spot that has a hole in it. Drill the hole in the plastic to match up with this hole. My button was 1/2" so I used a uni-bit that went up to 1/2"

Remove the retainer nut from the switch and insert the switch and the leads into the hole. Thread the leads through the nut and onto the switch and tighten the nut up. Next, attach one of the leads to ground. I loosened one of the ground bolts all ready in the glove box and attached the lead to it and retightened.

Next pull off the kick panel on the passenger side, just lift up on the cover and pull off the cover. Find the large wire harness and unwrap enough of the tape to reveal the wires. Find the skinny White wire with a pink stripe. This is the one we will be using. Carefully strip a small piece of insulation off this wire without cutting it. Strip a piece of insulation off the remaining lead from the switch and tightly wrap it around the exposed copper on the White/pink wire. Test your switch, You can solder this connection if you’d like or just tape it up really good.

When finished, rewrap the wire bundle with electrical tape and place it back as it was. Replace the cover and the glove compartment box.



Note that if the switch you chose is too big, the trunk might open sometimes if you slam the glove compartment box or if your knee hits the corner of the glove compartment door.

If this is a problem, replace the rubber bumper on the glove compartment door with one that is a little larger and made of a harder rubber. Ace Hardware or Home Depot should have these.
 

cave diver

Member
Sep 9, 2007
81
0
7
Lake County, Florida
Dec 19, 2007
#2
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #2
Great info Thanks for posting it, that will be my next little 'mini' project.
 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is
May 1, 2005
3,015
1
79
7200 feet
Dec 19, 2007
#3
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #3
i will add this post to the write up sticky thread. nice report.
 
S

stanmckinney

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,188
5
49
Dec 19, 2007
#4
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #4
Photos?
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Dec 19, 2007
#5
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #5
A few photos would be great for reference, but nice write-up Thanks for the contribution.
 

partsbill

Member
Jul 27, 2006
108
1
16
Lake Worth, FL
Dec 19, 2007
#6
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #6
I can't take credit for the write up, I got it from this link from a fellow S197er,
he has great pictures of the install, I just opted to go with a ford OEM switch instead of a aftermarket.
here's the link http://www.cherod.com/mustang/HowTo/TrunkRelease.htm
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Dec 19, 2007
#7
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #7
Yes, very nice. Thanks!
To me it seems one could recess the switch a bit so the glove box closing would not open the trunk.
 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is
May 1, 2005
3,015
1
79
7200 feet
Dec 19, 2007
#8
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #8
kooldawg6 said:
Yes, very nice. Thanks!
To me it seems one could recess the switch a bit so the glove box closing would not open the trunk.
Click to expand...

or fab up a small panel to relocate the button a little better. (all these custom fab skillz, and nothing to use them on )

i need a project!
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Dec 19, 2007
#9
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #9
You could also mount the switch in the center console, where that e-brake access cover is. Some people use that to mount a switch for their door opener. You could do the same with this.
 
G

gambi06

Member
Aug 30, 2006
40
0
7
Dec 19, 2007
#10
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #10
Don't know if this has been done before, but what if you took a spare key FOB apart, and mounted the tiny circuit board in your car, with a custom cover or something? ? You could have a trunk release AND a door opener panic button....AND it's wireless....
(or, you could just use the one ON your keychain, dangling from the ignition!)
 

stang8urimport

Autozone Junkie
Founding Member
Jun 21, 2002
1,499
12
59
Daytona Beach, FL
Dec 19, 2007
#11
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #11
Very cool. I still don't get why Ford didn't install one of these from the factory! What a novel idea.
 
E

ex-camaroguy

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
18
0
0
Dec 19, 2007
#12
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #12
i'd mount it under the driver side dash so you wouldn't have to open your glove box to get at it.
 
E

ex-camaroguy

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
18
0
0
Dec 19, 2007
#13
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #13
gambi06 said:
(or, you could just use the one ON your keychain, dangling from the ignition!)
Click to expand...
will that work of the cars running?
 
A

ARTTII

New Member
Jan 13, 2004
272
2
0
Detroit, MI
Dec 19, 2007
#14
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #14
Yes, trunk opens with the key fob car running - just not when the car is moving, you must be stopped!
 

06 roush

New Member
Jun 20, 2006
44
0
0
Dec 19, 2007
#15
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #15
think im gonna do that. thanks
 
E

ex-camaroguy

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
18
0
0
Dec 19, 2007
#16
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #16
ARTTII said:
Yes, trunk opens with the key fob car running - just not when the car is moving, you must be stopped!
Click to expand...
ah! didn't know that. my GM ones don't...but they have a trunk release......
 
S

stanmckinney

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,188
5
49
Dec 20, 2007
#17
  • Dec 20, 2007
  • #17
Ford used to put one in the glove box. I'm sure they saved a quarter or so by eliminating it.
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Dec 20, 2007
#18
  • Dec 20, 2007
  • #18
Well, if you think about it, it's not needed with having key fobs now. When you're in your car, your keyfob is right there, hanging from the ignition. That's more convenient than opening the glovebox. I'm sure they did a survey and found that the majority of people were using the keyfob and not the built-in button, so eliminated that.
 
E

ex-camaroguy

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
18
0
0
Dec 20, 2007
#19
  • Dec 20, 2007
  • #19
DarkFireGT said:
Well, if you think about it, it's not needed with having key fobs now. When you're in your car, your keyfob is right there, hanging from the ignition. That's more convenient than opening the glovebox. I'm sure they did a survey and found that the majority of people were using the keyfob and not the built-in button, so eliminated that.
Click to expand...
i've always used the button but then again it wasn't in the glove box...it was right by my left knee.


plus do all mustang come with keyless entry?
 
S

stanmckinney

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,188
5
49
Dec 20, 2007
#20
  • Dec 20, 2007
  • #20
I have owned Mustangs forever and noone ever surveyed me. At one time they did not all come with remotes.
I liked the button for opening the trunk when I needed something and did not have my keys on me.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Resolved Bracket for trunk release button
  • Steve6482
  • Jan 6, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 7, 2024
Steve6482
S
O
Progress Thread LTD-ing
  • OX1
  • Mar 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
312
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 6, 2026
OX1
O
F
Progress Thread My First Mustang - Pace Car Mysteries
  • First Mustang
  • Oct 24, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
26
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2024
ustacould
M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
422
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
SOLD SOLD!!!! 1993 Notchback Roadracer For Sale. She's a beast!
  • Boydster
  • Apr 25, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
0
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Apr 25, 2025
Boydster
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?