Ford Mustang Servicing Guide, Part 1

Once the cover has been removed, you will see three rows of plug-in relays. The trunk release relay is the one closest to the front of the car in the center row.

Gently remove the trunk release relay out of its socket by rocking it slightly from side to side while pulling up. Make sure that you make a note of how the relay was installed so that you can replace it exactly as it came out once you're done.

Momentarily short the two sockets closest to the front of the car that the relay was plugged into. You can use a paperclip or a short piece of wire as shown here to short the contacts. As soon as you make the connection, you should hear the trunk release, and the trunk will pop open. Do not short the contacts any longer than necessary to release the trunk. Use this method at your own risk. Any time you jump an electronic connector, you run the risk of blowing a fuse, which is why I recommend that you carry an assortment of replacement automotive fuses with you.

DECK LOCK removal

Once the trunk is open, the lock can be accessed relatively easily. A removable plastic shell surrounds the latch mechanism and the lock.

The shell is held in place with two metal clips that grip two plastic tabs on the shell. Use care as you pry the shell free; the plastic tabs would be very easy to break. Once the shell is free, you will have to disconnect the wire from the courtesy light if equipped.

The lock is equipped with a microswitch that must be disconnected before the lock can be removed from the deck lid.

The tailpiece of the deck lock drives a cable that releases the latch when the key is turned. In order to remove the lock, you will have to disconnect the cable attachment. This unit snaps over the end of the lock and can be released by gently bending the plastic tabs up as you pull the unit free of the lock.

The lock is secured to the deck lid with two 10mm bolts. Once the bolts have been removed the lock will come free of the deck lid.

Part 2 of Steve Young's Guide to Servicing The Ford Mustang will address removal and disassembly of the ignition lock, key generation and key programming.