locked out

[Guest laddy]

Hey,

I have a 1939 Dodge sedan. Sunday, I was headed to a car show, went to throw a chair in the trunk and.....No! The handleturns to the right, the right side unlatches but the left side doesn't move a hair. Any ideas???? I hate to take out the back seat and face that bolted in spare tire...I am not that youg or thin any more. As I recall turning the handle engaged a bar to the right and left to close the trunk. I never paid much attention to the mechanism because it always worked. I should have been more observant! Any help greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance. Fred

[Shop Rat]

We have a 1939 Dodge Deluxe sedan. I will ask my husband about this and get back to you. Maybe in the meantime someone else might also know.

[Guest laddy]

Thanks for your help.....I don't think taking out the screws from the outside handle mecahanism will help me at all....I fear i have to go through the back seat.... Any help is greatly appreciated!!!! Fred

[Shop Rat]

laddy, Bill just checked our Dodge and realized that the lock mechanism is out of the car (it is still sort of a basket case ) so he can't tell how it should work.

However, I have sent an e-mail to former AACA President Dave Berg who happens to have, or has had, a restored 1939 Dodge. I will let you know when I hear back from him.

[Shop Rat]

I just heard back from Dave. Unfortunately he can't help as you can see by his reply.

Hi Susan,

I'm afraid I wouldnt know what to tell the fellow. My car is a business coupe and you can crawl into the trunk from behind the seat by opening a panel. A sedan would not have that to my knowledge. Sorry, I wish I could help.

best regards

dave

Any chance someone at the Library and Research Center could look this up for you? Members of AACA get 1 1/2 hours of free research.

Edited September 1, 2010 by Shop Rat
Correct a typing error. (see edit history)

[Peter J.Heizmann]

laddy...Welcome to the AACA Forum.

May benefit to post in the Dodge Forum (scroll down a bit and you will see it.)

To check with "your" AACA Library & Research Center as Susan mentioned click on "Library" on the Home Page. It is self explanatory how to make a research request. If you join the AACA which is a great deal you will receive 1 1/2 hours "per year" of free research time. We retain the finest automotive archives within the old vehicle hobby.

Your Librarian, Chris Ritter will handle any requests.

Regards,

Peter.

[john2dameron]

How about the Plymouth, De Soto, and Chrysler people. Can they give you any advice?

[Harold]

Try posting on the forum at P15-D24 Homepage

It's a website dedicated to flathead powered Mopars with very knowlegeable members.

[Guest laddy]

Thanks to all for the help. I went to a cruise in and 4 or 5 large guys tried to open it but nothing. I took the back seat out folded the cardbord backing between the seat and the trunk and got a look inside. The mechanism had unlatched. I went outside and gave it a lumber jack pull but no go. I slipped a plastic scrapper betwee the trunk lid and body of the car and used a large bladded screw driver to pry. It is open!!! Apparently the heat had melted the old rubber gasket and welded it shut. I hit the rubber gasket with a good dose of WD 40. It seems to be woking fine again. I appreciate all your help and suggestions. Fred

[Shop Rat]

I guess sometimes it really is the simplest little thing. Glad to hear that you were finally able to get that trunk open.

[Dave Henderson]

I had a Peugeot with trunk weatherstripping that would get stuck over and over. Tried various things and found that a thin rubbed-in coat of silicone grease made a long lasting fix.