Cadillac Repair: getting through back seat, 2 nuts, gm dealer

Question
Hi, my son has locked his keys in the trunk on his 1997 Cadillac sedan de vile. For whatever reason, the trunk release inside of the car does not work/have tried the button in the glove box, but it also does not work. Do you know how to go though the back seat and reach the trunk? Is it possible? Thanks you for help

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

             There are a couple of solutions that might work.

             First if there is a GM dealer parts department in your area that is open they can make a trunk key from the original factory code. He would need to provide proof of ownership so they don't think he is trying to steal the car.

            If you have the On Star phone give them a call and they might be able to open the trunk. I know they can unlock the doors or at least they used to.

           If you can remove the trunk release button to gain access to the back where the wire connectors plug in use a voltmeter or 12 volt testlight and see if 1 wire has power and the other one gets power when pushing the button. If the power doesn't go to the other wire then remove the connector and jumper the wires together for a second and the trunk should open. If no power at all maybe the trunk lock-out feature is active and pushing that button and then the release button will allow the trunk to open.

          The last thing to to do would be to remove the back seat and useing a flashlight and coat hanger fish the keys out. I believe the bottom seat just lifts up and then you would need to use an 18mm socket or wrench to remove the 2 bolts that hold the seatbelts and seat back in place. Then lift up to remove from the car. On second thought and since I haven't had to do it in awhile the seatback might be held on by 2 nuts from the trunk side and the closeout panel behind the rear seat might make it tough to get the seat to remove. However you might be able to get past the edge and lift it up to gain access to retrieve the keys.

        Hopefully one of those will help and then you can get another set of keys or at least a door key made. Bill