Trunk lock malfunction- 05 2.5I outback - Subaru Outback

trichiro · 11-19-2012, 12:37 PM

Hello, my truck indicator light always signals open on dash, even when trunk is closed. hence alarm doesn't activate. As well the door unlock switch will only lock the trunk and not open it. Does anyone know how to trouble shoot the issues please????

cardoc · 11-19-2012, 01:18 PM

You should have combined this issue with the headlamp post.

How many miles on the car? Does the headlamp fuse blow at the same time the tailgate light is on?

Radar · 11-19-2012, 05:09 PM

I don't know where the door switch hides, but '05 models are notorious for the wiring harness failing inside the rubber boots that carry wires into the rear hatch.

trichiro · 11-20-2012, 12:36 PM

Hey guys,

146,000miles. I called Subaru and they said most likely its the wire harness as well. Is there anyway I can test this w/out bring it to the dealership? Also, any contacts for buyin new harness?

H-D · 11-20-2012, 01:21 PM

SOP is repairing it yourself, if you can solder (crimp connectors will work for a while, but are prone to concentrating the bending in a smaller area, accelerating further breakage). This would be an ecxellent time to learn to solder (youtube?) & spend the labor money on a gun, solder, & shrink tube. Check all the wires in the harness with a moderate 'pull test', often there is more than one failing. Anything you do to provide stress relief at the failure point will help the cause.

subiesailor · 11-20-2012, 01:34 PM

No harness needed - and no special tools - just looking over the wires where they pass from the rear head liner location through the rubber hose to the hatch chances are you will find the broken wire in there - simple fix and very easy to do even for a novice.

trichiro · 11-21-2012, 10:45 AM

Will do, thanks guys

Jay H · 11-21-2012, 11:01 AM

Ditto the above. I noticed one day that my CM brake light wasn't working properly on a 05XT, it would be ON without the key in the ignition or the brakes pressed... And I traced it to a broken wires inside the passenger side boot. I simply cut the rubber boot and found not only the CM brake cable disconnected, a bunch of other cables were cut (but not lacking continuity). I guess the CM brake wire was shorting to ground on another one and the light was going on.

I used some electrical tape and soldered the CM brake cable back and taped up all the rest and it was fixed.

Jay

11-19-2012, 12:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
trichiro Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boulder, Co Car: 2005 2.5I outback Posts: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Trunk lock malfunction- 05 2.5I outback Hello, my truck indicator light always signals open on dash, even when trunk is closed. hence alarm doesn't activate. As well the door unlock switch will only lock the trunk and not open it. Does anyone know how to trouble shoot the issues please????

11-20-2012, 12:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
trichiro Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boulder, Co Car: 2005 2.5I outback Posts: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Reply Hey guys, 146,000miles. I called Subaru and they said most likely its the wire harness as well. Is there anyway I can test this w/out bring it to the dealership? Also, any contacts for buyin new harness?

11-21-2012, 10:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
trichiro Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boulder, Co Car: 2005 2.5I outback Posts: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Reply Will do, thanks guys

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11-19-2012, 01:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Austin Car: 2001 VDC, 2000 Outback 5MT (on the cheap) Posts: 3,160 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You should have combined this issue with the headlamp post. How many miles on the car? Does the headlamp fuse blow at the same time the tailgate light is on?

11-19-2012, 05:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Radar Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Car: 2005 Outback XT Posts: 160 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't know where the door switch hides, but '05 models are notorious for the wiring harness failing inside the rubber boots that carry wires into the rear hatch.

11-20-2012, 01:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
H-D Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW TN Car: '99 Outback 2.5 GT auto & '97 LegOB w/ grossly insulted 2.5 Posts: 138 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	SOP is repairing it yourself, if you can solder (crimp connectors will work for a while, but are prone to concentrating the bending in a smaller area, accelerating further breakage). This would be an ecxellent time to learn to solder (youtube?) & spend the labor money on a gun, solder, & shrink tube. Check all the wires in the harness with a moderate 'pull test', often there is more than one failing. Anything you do to provide stress relief at the failure point will help the cause.

11-20-2012, 01:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
subiesailor Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,502 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No harness needed - and no special tools - just looking over the wires where they pass from the rear head liner location through the rubber hose to the hatch chances are you will find the broken wire in there - simple fix and very easy to do even for a novice.

11-21-2012, 11:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jay H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Pittsfield, MA Car: 2013 XV Crosstrek Posts: 665 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ditto the above. I noticed one day that my CM brake light wasn't working properly on a 05XT, it would be ON without the key in the ignition or the brakes pressed... And I traced it to a broken wires inside the passenger side boot. I simply cut the rubber boot and found not only the CM brake cable disconnected, a bunch of other cables were cut (but not lacking continuity). I guess the CM brake wire was shorting to ground on another one and the light was going on. I used some electrical tape and soldered the CM brake cable back and taped up all the rest and it was fixed. Jay

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