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Rear trunklink

Last updated: October 20, 2023

Component description and locationlink

The trunk latch is a simple 2 position non-cinching latch on the underside of the trunk, with the striker on the body of vehicle. The striker can be adjusted for trunk to body alignment. The latch has a simple mechanical switch busbar that will determine if the claw is in the fully closed/latched position. A mechanical release lever rotates the pawl and disengages it from the claw to allow the latch to open. The latch also allows electrical actuation with a single DC motor that drives a worm gear to rotate the same lever as the mechanical release. The DC motor and switch line are controlled by the right body controller.

When the trunk is open, an indicator icon displays on the instrument panel. Note: The trunk cannot be opened when Model 3 is moving. If an attempt is made to open the trunk, a warning message appears on the display.
  1. Motor (powers release actuator)
    Note: The switch is located inside of the actuator
  2. Claw
  3. Mechanical Inside Release
  4. Mounting Frame plate
  5. Pawl
  6. Striker
Trunk Latch Mechanism

The trunk can only be electrically opened when the vehicle is stationary. There are 4 methods of opening the trunk:

  • Press the trunk release button on the mobile application.
  • From the touchscreen, touch Controls > Trunk.
  • With the vehicle unlocked, press the trunk release switch.
  • Pull the mechanical release lever located in a recess on the hard trim on the underside of the trunk . The mechanical release is the egress method from inside the enclosed trunk area.

The mobile application transmits a trunk open request via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to the vehicle. The BLE endpoints receive the signal and communicates that to the VCSEC (security controller), which then passes the signal to the VCRIGHT (right body controller) to release the trunk latch.

The exterior release switch is a simple momentary contact switch and is a direct input to VCRIGHT. Pressing the switch completes a path to ground.

The trunk has a release actuator to mechanically pull to the pawl holding the trunk claw away, which allows the claw to rotate freely to the open position. When the pawl is released the spring holds the pawl and claw open. Pushing the striker into the claw again forces the components apart as the claw rotates around the striker. Once the latch enters the closed position the pawl will fall into the indent on the claw, latching the assembly in the closed position. In the closed position the claw presses on the latch switch bus pulling it away from the ground stud, opening the circuit. When the latch is in the open position the switch bar is allowed to connect to ground, closing the latch status circuit.

The phosphorescent emergency mechanical release lever for the trunk is visible in the recessed extrusion in the center of the trunk hard trim.
1. Mechanical inside release
2. Motor to power release actuator
Note: The switch is contained within the actuator
3. Pawl
4. Striker
5. Claw (or ratchet)
Trunk Release Mechanism
1. Electrical Release Switch
Electrical Release Switch
1. Trunk mechanical release lever
Mechanical Release
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