Guys I have browsed the threads I could find. Every image from the manual posted or from someone’s car is like zoomed in on a microscope. Where the HELL is this “access panel”?! Can someone take a zoomed out picture that shows like, ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR?! Please help!!!! Car is dead from winter cold. I’m about to end up tearing every single piece of trim out of this car.
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Dead car, need to open trunk
- Thread starter Jimothy
- Start date
I suspect you're OK now Jimothy (welcome to the Forum BTW) and found not only the panel, but also the "pull loop" to manually open the trunk. For anyone else, there are a couple posts on this Forum, giving directions. Should it help someone who comes across this thread, here's part of one I made some 5 months ago, with a few minor changes:
I pried open the small interior panel behind the driver seat (left side of car), along the side wall. Fun task; it was very tight and hard to pull open on its right edge. Looked underneath for the "red pull loop" as shown in the booklet, for the manual trunk release. Couldn't see it, nor any other "loop". Asked my daughter to help, with her smaller hands and ability to reach in further and feel for the loop. She finally spotted it: it was BLACK and jammed against the right side (not in far) and one tug, easily opened the trunk.
The main point of this posting, is to let everyone know that it may not be a red loop (mine was black) and describe how I located mine, should that help others. Hopefully this won't be an issue for you.
I pried open the small interior panel behind the driver seat (left side of car), along the side wall. Fun task; it was very tight and hard to pull open on its right edge. Looked underneath for the "red pull loop" as shown in the booklet, for the manual trunk release. Couldn't see it, nor any other "loop". Asked my daughter to help, with her smaller hands and ability to reach in further and feel for the loop. She finally spotted it: it was BLACK and jammed against the right side (not in far) and one tug, easily opened the trunk.
The main point of this posting, is to let everyone know that it may not be a red loop (mine was black) and describe how I located mine, should that help others. Hopefully this won't be an issue for you.
- Thread starter
- #5
My loop was also black. And is hidden deep up inside and toward the seatbelt. If I could have moved my seat forward I could have accessed it better, but of course you can’t move the seat forward without power! In addition because it was in my garage, I could only open the door about 30 degrees. As some other have stated, I ended up with bloody knuckles despite using trim removal tools, because of the awkward location of the pull
- Thread starter
- #8
Hey Dave, once you’ve done it, it makes total sense. But for someone who hasn’t even looked behind their seat, it’s still totally unclear. I’ve wired subwoofers and dash cams and replaced speakers in various cars. The images on this forum and in the manual are borderline worthless. Just my opinion. Also how hard is it to have a release button somewhere that doesn’t require removing trim. I’ve owned 12 cars over the past 15 years and have never seen such absurdity
For what it is worth, it looks much easier then opening the frunk of a 911 (996 and 997) with a dead battery. Basically you have to take the front driver side side wheel off, remove the fender inner lining and search for a pull cable. Had to do it on a 997 and 996. Trick was once you do it once extend the cable and zip tie in back of the front side marker light. There is also a trick to put a battery to small terminals in the fuze box to get enough power the car to open the latch electrically. That only seems to work 20% of the time, dependent on how bad the battery was.
Glad you got it resolved as I had similar situation about a month ago. I keep the seat all the way back because I can't open the door but a little to slide in ..... so it was quite the chore to reach in with one arm and fiddle around to pop off the panel. Definitely not the best design
Most informative, and greatly appreciated.
Note: the Lotus manual advises starting the car at least every 18 days to preserve battery power.
What's the deal if you lock the car so mirrors retract (easing garage access)
and then experience a dead battery? If you can't open the door, you can't attempt to open the trunk (to charge) via the access panel.
Also, does a dead battery negate/disarm the alarm system (otherwise adding insult to injured pride if triggered)?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks.
You can always open the door; even with a dead battery. Page 58 of the manual shows how to access the "emergency key blade" contained in your fob. Page 59 shows how to use that key blade, to manually open the driver side door. Attached are copies of both pages (apologies for their sideways orientation).
As to your second question, I imagine w/o power, the alarm system wouldn't function. However you'll find out for sure, when opening the door with the key blade: page 59 mentions the alarm being activated when you use the key blade.
Blackthought_
Emira Fiend
Yep that’s right on both accounts including the alarm part. Once you reconnect they battery it’ll sound loud as hell lol
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