I'm trying to find out what exactly needs to be done here, what parts I need, how much time, and how much muscle. I'm a lifelong "tool nurse", not a mechanic. Unfortunately, my personal mechanic (see:dad) is out of effective mechanic health condition until further notice.

My trunk latch was evidently JUST WAITING for some great seismic disturbance -- it separated during the two hours I had to spend with a can of WD40, visegrips, and a hammer to get my spare-tire bolt unfrozen.

Yesterday, I found half of an incredibly-corroded and separated rivet on my garage floor right below my bumper.

I'm little, but no-thanks to Army injuries, I would much rather OPEN my decklid than have to contort myself into my trunk any time I need anything from it, and trying to stow large items from the backseat can be, um, let's politely call it "entertaining to onlookers".

intro-info aside, here's the other 1000 words:

 

I'm not sure what the question is here.

If the latch is broken, get a used one from a salvage yard or a new one from Honda and replace it.

To open the trunk lid, push on the "lever" under the latch that is normally pulled by the cable to activate the release mechanism. If that doesn't work, unbolt the hasp from inside the trunk lid by removing the two 10mm bolts. The latch assembly is held to the body by three phillips head screws. Disconnect the lock cylinder rod by swiveling its clip around.

 

Like I said -- I'm trying to figure out whether this is a simple reattach issue, a [replace the entire dang assembly] issue, or what.

Where exactly do I feel for this "lever"? If I use that lever, will the trunk be able to LATCH again if it turns out I need somebody else to finish the repair for me, or will I have to wire the decklid shut?

95% of my 34yrs of "repair" experience is as "extra hands" or chief tool gofer. Latches aren't something I've ever been present for.

 

The little silver "ball" just below the center of the photo is the cable end. The gray/brown metal piece surrounding it is the "lever" that releases the latch.

You'll probably be able to close it again, but there is no way to tell for certain without knowing what exactly is broken. You won't know what is broken until you remove the latch.

If you get stuck and have to tie the trunk lid shut temporarily, it's not a big deal.

If you have access to proper tools and any sort of mechanical aptitude, you should be able to handle this. If you aren't confident enough to do it, then pay someone else.

 

It looks to me like the CONNECTION between the lever and the rest of the latch is what broke.


I'm going to assume this is going to be a screw driver job.

I have plenty of mechanical aptitude and access to enough tools to stock at least three bays. What I'm missing is the mechanic to tell me what to do. Hence I'm here - asking what to do.