Trunk latch will not catch when trunk is closed. Can get latch to work with screwdriver when open, but will not close when trunk is shut. Have had problems with it over the years, but nothing would work this time. Also, tried WD40, which has worked in the past, but didn't this time. Have always had problems closing it after opening it from latch inside vehicle, but not with using the key to open the trunk, but this time even just using the key didn't work. It there a diagram of the latch out there to look at? Or any other advice on what we can do to fix this?
My girlfriend's 2002 Civic LX 4-door had the same problem. Dvanvught is right; the problem lies with the truck latch cable. If you open the lid and look up at the latch, you will see where the cable comes from the release at the fuel door / trunk release lever inside. When that lever is pulled, it pulls a lever on the latch. The problem is that when you release the lever inside, the cable doesn't retract fully, holding the trunk latch in the open position. If you use your key to manually push the lever on the latch that is attached to the cable toward the cable itself (meaning, push the lever in the direction that will push the wire cable back into its housing), you'll likely find that the trunk lid will then latch. You could replace the cable which would be a bit of a pain considering how it's routed or try to work out a way to put in a return spring to keep pressure on the latch lever, automatically pulling the cable back into the housing.
Good luck!
Trunk latch cable probably needs to be replaced
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