2004 TOYOTA COROLLA TRUNK
I have a corolla 2003 and I had the same problem. I turned the key to the left and the lock turned left, engaging the valet parking mechanism. I could not turn the key to the right and could not get access to the trunk because the lever next to the driver seat was disengaged.
The way I solved this problem is as follow:on the back driver seat I pulled the back seat forward to leave an opening and snick my arm in the trunck. Then I grabbed the cable used to latch the seat and I pulled forward, i.e. toward the front of the car. The cable is connectred to the trunck so that it can be disconnected easily if pulled towards the front. If you pull towards the back it will remain attached to the trunck. So grab the cable an pull towards the front, and it will release itself. Since the cable is flexible, you can pull it out of the trunk from the same the opening you put your arm, and then disenagage the driver back seat. Fold forward the back seat and get into the trunk and use the lever in the latch of the trunck to open it. The turnk will open.
If the lock does not turn, you need to disconnect the lock from the mechanism, so that the driver seat lever can start working again. To do this, and with the trunk open, remove the cover holded by nine plastic pins. Do not break the pins. After removing the cover, you will see the lock holded by two nuts. Remove the nuts with a rachet. The lock will be loose, and disconnect the lever that connects the lock to the latch. At this point the driver seat lever will start working again. Close the trunk and verify that the driver seat lever opens the trunk. Now you can open and close the trunk , and have time to call the dealer for a new lock.
Good luck.
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