Hello, I have a 2013 Bentley GTC and the trunk opens slightly then closes again. It seems to make a noise on the drivers side as it try’s to open 2 times about 6 inches and then slams shut. I manually opened trunk and it closes and latches fine. I was reading other threads but nothing seems to be similar. I don’t want to even try the top. Thanks for the help

 

Hello @Mitchwb ,
Have you replaced the trunk struts ?

Johnny

 

Thanks - No I haven’t. I saw other posts that all direct truck issues to getting new struts. Do you think it could be as easy as that?

 

@Mitchwb ,
Yes, and no... yes, because the struts are the easiest and least costly repair to start with, mainly because if the struts are weak/worn, then all the load is on the lift motor, I bet if you helped the trunk lid just past that 6" position, the lid would continue to raise on it's own, this is not saying that the lift motor may not be at fault also, but it is usually struts before the motor, and weak struts put more load on the motor at a certain pivot point, you may also notice that the weather has an effect on the operation, cold winter no lift, hot summer, no problem.
You say that you manually opened it, and it closed fine, did you notice that in the last few inches that the trunk lid fell just a little faster before latching ?

My A8L W12 did this, it would lift so many inches just as you described, but upon automatic closing, it would fall and somewhat slam in say the last 2 inches just before latching, I installed new struts, and no issues, same on the S600.

Johnny

 

Change the struts - easy 10 minute job. If the lid is stiff and won't close after that, lube the struts and hinges with FluidFilm and you should be good. Did exactly that on my '09 a few years ago and never had another problem.

 

I had this boot slam shut issue on my older 2006. Bentley had a recall to reset the electronics on the boot operator mechanism (in the UK at least). Did that, but didn't resolve that issue.. I changed the struts and all good. Seems the weight of the lid with weak struts is enough to "detect" resistance.. an inexpensive repair at least..

 

You're right, don't even try the top until the trunk issue is resolved. One of my two top problems ended up with the top stopping straight up, midway in the cycle to put the top down. In this instance a "loose" trunk latch was the issue, but it causes havoc with the top down mechanism. The top down cycle stops when the trunk is open even an inch.

 

Thanks for all the advice everybody. I ordered the struts and I will replace on the weekend. I will let you know how it goes.
I did notice it goes a little faster when closing before it latches if I manually put up the trunk.
It makes a sound like something is skipping on the drivers side when I use the key to open before it closes shut.

 

So I replaced the struts and unfortunately there is not much change. I hear a clicking on the drivers side as if something is sticking. I’m assuming it must be motor. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Hello @Mitchwb ,
Sorry to hear that the struts didn't help.

I was a little confused as to your comment of the noise on the left side, but I see that you have a convertible, therefore the boot/trunk lid lift motor is on the left side, whereas the hard tops have the lift motor on the right side, and to be honest, I have never heard or at least can not recall anyone having an issue with the lift motor on hardtop coupes, convertibles, or Spur's of the firstGen, but yours is the third I have heard of on the second Gen models, makes me wonder if the motor's got made at a lower quality or power, The Wizard states that Bentley claims that the makers of the original motors up to 2012 is gone, out of business, and the 2013 and up use an style motor from another company...

I would try a few other things before I would replace the motor, I would take the struts off both sides, and I would remove the lift motor, then test how freely the trunk lid moves as far as to possible binding hinges, have you lubed the hinges at all ?

I know my video is of the first Gen, but a good lube is worth a try.

Johnny

 

What lube is in the video?

 

​​​​​​@tteplitzmd ,
I used.

 

How'd you get it into your oil can Johnny?
I only see aerosol cans for sale.

 

Oil can ??
I used the aerosol can pictured above.

Johnny

 

I mistakenly thought the youtube rebuild video (above) with the oil can was yours.