yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

How do I go about replacing the lock cylinder on my 91 Trans Am convertible tirunk? Mine is not the pull down type. My car I guess you would call it would be old style with a key to open the trunk. Thanks for helping me before I destroy a tail light.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Hopefully, you haven't destroyed a taillight yet. Those '91/'92 taillights are virtually irreplaceable.

On your car, being a Firebird, the lock is held in place by pop rivets, unlike a Camaro, where the lock is held in place by a clip(like the door locks are). So you'll need to drill-out the pop rivets, using a 1/4" drill bit. But to get to the pop rivets, you'll need to remove the taillights(as I think you already know). To get to the plastic wingnuts that hold the taillights in, you'll need to remove the rear interior trim panel. And to remove the trim panel, you'll need to get the trunk lid open, because, besides the large plastic screws that hold the trim panel on from inside the car, it's also screwed down on top by the latch mechanism, which you can't access if the trunk lid is closed.

Assuming you have no key, or the lock is broken, and the lid is closed, then to get the lid open, you'll have to work from inside the car to reach/pull the release cable by hand, and it's behind the rear interior trim panel. So it will be a very tight workspace. Having someone outside the car to raise the lid when you pop it open will help too. So...

With the convertible top up, fold down the rear seatbacks, and climb inside.

Reach back to the rear interior trim panel and remove the large plastic screws that hold the panel in place.

From the passenger-side edge of the rear trim panel, grab it and pull it back until you can reach the release cable. You might have to curl it back as much as 180*. But no worries, the panel won't break, and it will pop right back into shape when you let it go.

Pull the release cable until the trunk lid 'pops' open. It might take multiple attempts of pulling from various angles to get it to pop, but it will. This is where the friend comes in handy... because if the struts are weak that hold the lid open, the heavy trunk lid might settle back down into the closed/locked position before you can get it to stay open.

Of course, if you already have the trunk lid open, then you can disregard those first few steps...

Once the lid is open, remove the interior trim panel completely. Remove the plastic wingnuts that hold the taillights in place, and lower the taillights.

Now you'll be able to get to the pop rivets. Drill them out(from outside).

Once you get the lock out, remove the cable from the back of it by prying open(and off) the white plastic end that 'snaps' it onto the back of the lock. The plastic will probably break when you try to pry it apart to separate it from the lock, but the cable will still stay on the new lock when you slide it on.

Installation of the new lock will be the reverse of removal. But if you can't rivet the new lock in, then you'll probably have to bolt it in. So just choose a bolt that has some kind of 'security' head... something that takes more than just a simple hex wrench or socket to remove it.

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

LAFireboyd: Thank you so much for the great detail that you gave me. I have not yet tried to change the cylinder until I had enough details. Now that I have, I will go for it. I have taken the lights from a Camaro so I dont feel that I will have a problem. It is just that I did not want to wreck the lights. The lock in my trunk will work if I constantly turn the key but I know soon that it will give out. I do have the replacement lock ready to attemt the changeover. Thanks again for the great description of the process.

estesformula87

i know this is kind of off subject but i just bought an 88 firebird and dont have the key to the door and hatch so im going to take a lock and have one made is the key to the back compartment the same one as the doors and hatch -

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Yes, the same key fits the doors, hatch and rear locking storage compartment.

estesformula87

thanks lafireboyd

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

I would like to thank LAFireboyd for the great explanation on how to change the lock cylinder on my trunk. It worked exactly as he said and was extremely easy. Thanks for all the help.

steveschau

Will this also work on the 98 Firebird and if so here is MY problem. The lock is already broken away fro the rivets. the lock works but it is loose in the housing. I have ordered a new lock today. there are 3 panels in the rear light section. I have found the wing nuts for the lights but how do I get the center section out that contains the lock? Also how do I get the lock off the rod that goes to the latch system?

87tunedport

do they have different tail lights for 91-92? i have an 87 and im trying to do same thing but i know my tail lights are in 3 sections and cant figure out how to get center part out. or does this still apply to my situation?

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

The center section is attached behind the tail lights.Once you get the tails off you will see the mounts

steveschau

ya figured it out but thanks for responding

det88vert

iTrader: (1)

How do i get that white plastic piece off of the lock cylinder. Do i pry it of or does it come off a certain way??? Please and thank you guys for the help

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

I use a flat blade screwdriver and pry it off the lock cylinder

det88vert

iTrader: (1)

Thanks alot. Do that break the white piece?. I have a t top donor car im using to restore my convertible iroc.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

If you pry the off-white piece carefully it should not break. Pry one side a bit, then work on the opposite side. You are prying a molded tab on the ID of the off-white plastic piece free from a groove in the OD of the lock cylinder. There are 4 molded tabs that need to be released. Usually once you have one side out of the groove the other side will come off pretty easily. I work on the side opposite the cable that comes out of it first, then the side with the cable. Once you have the side opposite of the cable free you can grab hold of the cable and pull it away from the lock cylinder as you pry the tabs free. Be gentle and have patience.

Lon

allgood

Are lock cylinder on the trunk for convertibles the same as the coupes.

thanks

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Yes.