Installing trunk release lever

Are there any write ups to installing a trunk release for my third gen Escort sedan? Were there any 3rd gens that came with this feature (mine did not) and any chance the wiring is present in my car? If the ARE third gens with this feature, could I go to the junkyard and find what I need possibly? Any help would be appreciated

The trunk release on the 3rd gen sedans were electronic, so there should be an actuator on the trunk lid. Early 3rd gens did not have a trunk release button and relied on the keyless remote to open the trunk.

Does your car have a plug on the trunk lid near the latch?

Casey

From my Autobiography thread:
"I also picked up a lower dash panel with the yellow button for the trunk release. I jumped it to the passenger kick panel (white and black vertical connector; NOT the white and white ot the black and black connectors, but the VERTICAL white and black; it was the GREEN WIRE WITH BLACK STRIPE that I quick spliced into. Easiest thing that I ever did to a Gen 3."



Only works if you have the wires running to the lid latch.

I looked at my trunk latch and see wires going to it. Does this mean the wiring is already present? Or is it possible that is for the keyless remote? I got my 3rd gen used and have no keyless remote (don't know if it ever had one to begin with).

Yeah, find a fob somewhere, there is a programming procedure - OR- if you find a fob in a JY car, there are a couple of boxes in a harness *inside the trunk on the passanger side wall under the side carpet*(NOT exactly sure which one you need; someone should be along soon to clarify). For programming the Fob WITHOUT changing the boxes... I dunno, but it can be done...

Cool. I'm not really too interested in getting a trunk release fob. I would rather just get a trunk release under the dash. Can I just do that instead?

Found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8251203_program-remote-1997-ford-escort.html
Dont know if it works or not...

Sure, follow my post above (reply #3), When you get the yellow button, make sure you have the pigtail on it, a couple/few inches of wire. It does NOT matter which wire you jump over to the pass kick panel, and ground the other one.

Presto!

Did 3rd gen wagons come with this option? I'd like to have a remote button in the car to unlock the rear hatch from inside the car instead of having to take the key out of the ignition and pushing the button whenever I want to unlock the rear hatch if I'm still sitting inside the car.

If not which wire controls the remote rear latch that I can splice a momentary switch to?

John

I would think that since the key fob can control the rear hatch the relay is there for the latch. I just need to know which wire to splice the momentary switch to and where it's located.

John

Look up.

Thanks for the link. Too bad all the photos are taken down )-;

So this was what I was able to get at the junkyard. By pigtail are you referring to the pink and red contraption that is close to the grey connector? Or is there something that I am lacking in mine?

No, Not lacking. By "Pig Tail" I mean the 'car side clip with enough wire to work with', which you have. You will need to take the wire from the clip and run it out until it is obstructed, looks like the pink/red thingies (cut that off). Apply new wire to each line, ground one side, and splice into that "VERTICAL white and black; it was the GREEN WIRE WITH BLACK STRIPE"