Urk... Frunk won't unlatch... Is this a common problem?

[VryGryFox]

Had my new 2023 RTL for three days and today I found that the front trunk will not unlatch. (it did yesterday)

I found a video here that said 'sometimes' the unlatch will work if you press down hard on the trunk lid near the top while pressing and turning the key. Sigh, not for me.

I called the service department and they said, "Come On Down". Unfortunately, there is a threat of rain, and I am not yet prepared to deal with that eventuality.

Is this a common problem?

 

[Bfromla]

Maybe in cooler months with thicker jackets, frunk gets stuffed. https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...out-the-key!&highlight=Open+frunk+without+key

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Had my new 2023 RTL for three days and today I found that the front trunk will not unlatch. (it did yesterday)

I found a video here that said 'sometimes' the unlatch will work if you press down hard on the trunk lid near the top while pressing and turning the key. Sigh, not for me.

I called the service department and they said, "Come On Down". Unfortunately, there is a threat of rain, and I am not yet prepared to deal with that eventuality.

Is this a common problem?

Just to double check because you’ve only had it only 3 days - push the ignition key straight down, hold it down and then turn it counter-clockwise. And if the pin in the frunk is a bit misaligned, the lid won’t pop up on its own. While holding the key CCW, gently lift up on the lid. See if any of that applies to your situation.

 

[Redbeard]

I have not had any problems opening my frunk and I have had my 2023 RTl just over one year. I watched Martin's video and it should also work on an RT model, so give it a try.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...Frunk-without-the-key!&highlight=martin+frunk

https://youtu.be/iX5BTOXcfdA

 

[LongIsland]

Had my new 2023 RTL for three days and today I found that the front trunk will not unlatch. (it did yesterday)

I found a video here that said 'sometimes' the unlatch will work if you press down hard on the trunk lid near the top while pressing and turning the key. Sigh, not for me.

I called the service department and they said, "Come On Down". Unfortunately, there is a threat of rain, and I am not yet prepared to deal with that eventuality.

Is this a common problem?

I have owned 3 RT Ltd's (2012, 2014, and now 2022) and I've never had an issue with opening the frunk, trunk, or saddlebags. I'd say it's not a common issue.

 

[VryGryFox]

Well, I feel like an idiot... For some reason I thought the seat and front trunk BOTH released with a press and clockwise turn, sigh...

Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[safecracker]

Glad you got it.

 

[Bfromla]

:2thumbs: glad you got it, and glad you didn’t break the key.

 

[MRH]

Well, I feel like an idiot... For some reason I thought the seat and front trunk BOTH released with a press and clockwise turn, sigh...

Thanks for setting me straight.

Don't feel badly - when I got my Spyder I really had no idea what I was doing. What feels obvious in retrospect, is often completely unexpected when it's all new. (I learned: don't ride with your foot on the brake, not even a little; and if it fails to start, there is a switch that cuts out the engine right there on the handlebars!)

 

[Isopedella]

Great you got it sorted.

There are no dumb questions, cept the one you didnt ask.

Ride safe.

Iso.

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Well, I feel like an idiot... For some reason I thought the seat and front trunk BOTH released with a press and clockwise turn, sigh...

Thanks for setting me straight.

And… if you happen to need access to the frunk after you have the machine started and running, you don’t need to shutdown. Push the key down first from the ON position, and rotate fully CCW. Then let it return to ON before you release it. Motor stays running. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Allen42]

And… if you happen to need access to the frunk after you have the machine started and running, you don’t need to shutdown. Push the key down first from the ON position, and rotate fully CCW. Then let it return to ON before you release it. Motor stays running. Enjoy the ride.

I did not know that. Nice!

 

[Gwolf]

I did not like the engineering on the key cable to unlock the frunk. It puts a lot of stress on the ignition key and anything that uses a cable inside a cover adds a lot of friction to the process. Dust and dirt eventually collect inside the cable and add even more stress, meaning you have to put more pressure on the key to turn it. You can use the cable lube that isn't supposed to collect dust and dirt, but eventually they all do. I have proven that with several hundred thousand miles on Harley clutch cables.

Maybe this ain't for everyone, but I have always been more impressed with function and simplicity than looks and engineering tricks. I disconnected the frunk cable at the center latch, and wired the latch back to remain open at all times. Then I took most of the tupperware off the front end and drilled the flat plates under the rear left and right sides of the frunk lid to take some hot rod hood hold down pins like those used on the lift off hoods on quarter mile cars and flip up fiberglass front ends. The hood hold down pins have a hole for the latching pins. I substituted two small, keyed alike, weather resistant pad locks for the latching pins and put one of the keys on the ring with the Spyder key. Unlock the padlocks, open the frunk, no cables, no stress on the ignition key, no worries about getting locked out.



I finally got around to getting some pictures of the hood pins. Been raining for 3 days, but today cleared up about 11:00 and the sun came out.