Need more powerful trunk solenoid, I think

I didn't look hard because the convertible isn't common enough to show google results, but it looks like the standard Solara has adjustable trunk springs similar to my '97 Lumina. The remote just unlatches it, and the springs "pop" it open. Adding/subtracting a spoiler can require spring adjustment. My son put a Monte Carlo tailpiece on the Lumina trunk lid when he rehabbed the back years ago, and the trunk only popped open about 6" with the springs adjusted full-strength. Even when fully opened a gust of wind could bring it down on your head. He recently put the standard Lumina markings on when he ran across them at the boneyard. Now it pops fully open and stays there. Anyway, you might look for springs to adjust and save some time. Don't know for sure.

P&M because it's been a whole week since you posted.

Thanks. I've been busy but I wiill do that.

I decided to call a stereo/alarm store locally to see how much they watned for a bigger solenoid, where I could see how big the thing was and if it had a cable before I bought it. She she transferred me to a technical guy who asked questions, showed little or no interest in selling me anything, and said

a) it's very bad if the cable has to bend. So I have to test it with the cable straight. This means I won't be able to hide the solenoid under the black liner, where the trunk lid bends, but that's not so bad if people can see the solenoid when the trunk is open. No one looks anyhow, exce[pt me. (The 35-pound solenoid is a lot bigger than what i have and might not be hideable either.)

b) I should leave slack in the cable, so the think on the end that pulls the latch gets a "running start". If it butts up against the latch, it likely won't work. That's a problem because I checked and the current solenoid only has a half inch of travel, which is about how far the latch has to be moved, so there's no spare for slack. Maybe I will have to buy a bigger one, but first I will do what a) requires.

No change planned there. I did check if the weight of the solenoid made the turnk lid fall down and it didn't. Later I think I read in their owners or shop manual something about some named weight not affecting balance.

Well, actualy my previous car, a Lebaron, didnt' move at all when the remote or the key unlatched the trunk. I sort of liked that. I coudl put the lid down without locking it and no one noticed it wasnt' locked. When I had to replace a support strut, I only did one, so it wouldn't go up when unlocked.

This car maybe the turnk lid moves a tenth of an inch. When it's sitting there, I don't think anyone would notice that it's open. That's especially important because in 2000, since there was only a mechanical turnk release, there is no spare channel on the remote, and I'll be connecting the trunk solenoid to a relay that is connected to the right door unlock wire. So every time I unlock the right hand door, except maybe when I use the lever inside the car it will unlock and unlatch the trunk. So it's good that it doesn't pop up. I thought about getting a newerr remote receiver and some 4-button remotes, but I didnt' find any receivers in junk yards and new it would be a lot of money.

Thanks,

Micky

Just add a second receiver and use a separate remote for the trunk

That is so un-chic, but you make a good point.