Exterior trunk release button

[Piening2150]

Just a PSA, the exterior trunk release button on my son's '17 Daytona collapsed into its hole so we pulled the taillight assembly out to fix it. The metal bracket was so rusted it disintegrated in my hand! Although it is parked outside now, the car was garaged the whole time I owned it (up until May of '20) and has only been driven in 1 winter so far. Pretty disappointed that an exterior part designed to be in the elements failed when the car is only 4 years old and hasn't seen much snow. To top it off, it appears the button can't be purchased separately even though it is totally removable. I can only find the entire trunk light assembly for about $400! If anyone has any ideas or I'm wrong I'd love to hear it. Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else or start becoming a common failure. Haven't heard of this happening to anyone else's car here.

 

[vortecd]

I wondering if it isn't suppose to get wet? You took the tail lights assembly off the trunk? My thought is to find one used maybe even broke you could take that off of

 

[vortecd]

Found a couple on ebay and that part looked good

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175016520196?epid=15043437958&hash=item28bfcc2a04:g:eIMAAOSwKcFheIx9

 

[Piening2150]

I wondering if it isn't suppose to get wet? You took the tail lights assembly off the trunk? My thought is to find one used maybe even broke you could take that off of

That's what we'll be trying to do. There is no gasket or seal to keep moisture out of the button cavity which is not a good design. The design also prevents you from jamming something behind the switch to keep it pushed forward since that just presses the button.

 

[Piening2150]

Found a couple on ebay and that part looked good

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175016520196?epid=15043437958&hash=item28bfcc2a04:g:eIMAAOSwKcFheIx9

That's certainly better than $400, but still pisses me off that you can't just buy the button for $20 or something.

 

[BULL]

@DodgeCares

Hey tell Engineering to get it together...

You know, quality control or some such nonsense...

; )

 

[Mike L.]

Dumbshit me didn't even know about the button for the first 2 years I owned mine. LOL

 

[Piening2150]

If your switch is still operational. I would probably just go to the local sheet metal or HVAC shop and have them fold a new bracket out of stainless steel. Just bring the dimensions how you want it folded. Maybe you can revive the switch with some LPS 2 spray and protect it some from the moisture. Before the holidays they are pretty slow and might give you a break on the price if their guys are just standing around,

Good suggestion! My BIL does HVAC, I know they have a water jet machine too. Worth a shot.

 

[stonewall]

A little salt water on carbon sheet metal is a bad recipe. they should have made it in stainless.

 

[Mean Cat]

Just a PSA, the exterior trunk release button on my son's '17 Daytona collapsed into its hole so we pulled the taillight assembly out to fix it. The metal bracket was so rusted it disintegrated in my hand! Although it is parked outside now, the car was garaged the whole time I owned it (up until May of '20) and has only been driven in 1 winter so far. Pretty disappointed that an exterior part designed to be in the elements failed when the car is only 4 years old and hasn't seen much snow. To top it off, it appears the button can't be purchased separately even though it is totally removable. I can only find the entire trunk light assembly for about $400! If anyone has any ideas or I'm wrong I'd love to hear it. Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else or start becoming a common failure. Haven't heard of this happening to anyone else's car here.
View attachment 57635 View attachment 57636

Damn, that is bad, looks like it's been sitting in salt water.

 

[Hickster]

Salt water based which is the mother to dehunmidificatiion,,,, is performrmed with Sch 80 PV. I think the dead givaway is of the rust and corrision. Water intruscion and sitting still/ A bit of water shield woul work just fine/