What To Do If Your 2005 Honda Accord Won’t Open

If your 2005 Honda Accord trunk won’t open, the main trunk switch may be off.
Written by Talullah Blanco
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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If your 2005 Honda Accord trunk won’t open, you may have entered “valet mode” and the main trunk switch may be off which disables the trunk release button. Just open the glove compartment and turn the nob to the on position to deactivate valet mode.
Unfortunately, your main trunk switch isn’t the only possible cause for your Honda Accord trunk not opening. That’s why
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What to do if your 2005 Honda Accord trunk won’t open

If your 2005 Honda Accord trunk won’t open with a key fob or trunk latch, some basic troubleshooting could end up saving you time, money, and an unnecessary trip to the local Honda dealership.

Most common cause: Valet mode is accidentally activated

There’s a good chance that you’ve accidentally enabled your Accord’s “valet mode” and your trunk malfunction is actually aHonda security feature doing exactly what it’s supposed to!
The 2005 Honda Accord comes equipped with a valet system that locks access to the trunk to protect your belongings when your car is being driven by someone else. It may be ideal for valet parking, but it can also be used when you leave your car in long-term parking or bring it in for detailing.
Whether you’ve accidentally activated your valet mode by cramming too many items in your glove box where the main trunk switch is located or you forgot you turned it on in the first place, fixing this problem is simple.
Look inside your glove compartment to see if your Accord’s valet mode has been turned on. The main trunk switch is actually not a switch at all–it’s a nob on the left side of the glove compartment. If the nob is set to the off position, the valet mode is activated and the trunk release button has been disabled. 
Just turn the nob to the on position and try opening your trunk again by pulling on the outer latch handle or using your key fob. Usually, this simple task should fix your trunk woes. But if you didn’t exclaim “Voila!” after completing this step and you still don’t have access to your trunk, we’ll have to do some additional troubleshooting.

Other possible causes

If your trunk isn’t opening after your valet system reset, you may be dealing with another problem altogether like a broken assembly latch or an electrical issue. Here are a few possible causes to keep an eye out for:
  • Broken or dead key fob: If you can open the trunk using the driver’s door switch, your key fob could be broken or dead. Luckily, replacing the key fob battery or getting a new fob will fix this problem.
  • Faulty door switch: Your driver’s door switch or main trunk switch could be the culprit if only your fob will open the trunk. 
  • Electrical malfunction: Another common reason for your trunk to not open? A blown fuse, failing actuator, or faulty wiring harness. 
  • Broken latch: The trunk latch assembly might be to blame if you can hear the actuator working but the trunk lid won’t unlock.
You’ll need to bring your Honda Accord to a dealership where a professional can diagnose and repair the problem. They’ll perform a thorough inspection of the door locks, fuse box, electrical system, trunk latch assembly, and any other possible components that could cause your trunk issues. 
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?

How to manually open a 2005 Honda Accord trunk

If you’re not up for a trip to the dealership or need to get into your trunk asap, there’s no need to fret! The 2005 Honda Accord has an emergency trunk release lock you can access from inside your car. It’s easy too.
You just need your key to remove the decklid, engage the emergency release lock and get back into your trunk! 
  • Head to the backseat on the driver’s side
  • Find the small square decklid in the backseat under the rear window
  • Insert your key into the decklid opening and remove the cover
  • After the decklid cover is removed, you should see the emergency release lock. Insert the key into the emergency release lock and rotate it clockwise to open your trunk
While this method to open your trunk can be a hassle and a major annoyance long term, it’s a great short-term fix!
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Cost of trunk repair for 2005 Honda Accord

The cost to repair your Honda Accord’s trunk could vary depending on what’s causing the problem and whether you go to a mechanic. 
Replacing your Accord’s lock latch could cost you $97 for the part alone but you’re looking at an additional $95 to $119 for the cost of labor. You can expect similar costs for a trunk lock actuator replacement and driver’s side door switch replacement. 
For the most part, HondaAccord trunk repairs are pretty affordable–unless your trunk won’t open because of serious body damage. Then you’ll have to replace the trunk lid and you’ll be stuck with a bill that’s well over$319 which is just the cost of parts. 
If you’ve got some time on your hands and feeling savvy, you can save money by repairing your Honda Accord’s trunk yourself and eliminate labor costs altogether. You’ll still have to pay for the cost of parts and sweat equity but it could be worth your while.

How to save on Honda Accord insurance

If turning off the valet mode didn’t fix your Honda Accord trunk problem and you’re looking at a lofty mechanic bill, now is the perfect time to use the Jerry app to shop around for
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