PIC6502

Bulletin No.: PIC6502
Published date: 05/10/2023
Preliminary Information
PIC6502 Accessing the Rear Compartment In the Event of a Power
Loss
Models
Brand:
Chevrolet
Model:
Corvette
Model Years:
2020 - 2023
VIN:
from
All
Engine:
to
All
All
Transmissions:
All
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Involved Region or
North America
Country
Some customers may comment that they are unable to access the rear compartment in the
Condition
vehicle if there is a loss of battery power.
If there is a loss of battery power to the vehicle, and the customer requires access to the rear
Concern
compartment, follow the instructions below.
Correction:
For model years 2020 - 2022, remove the rear license plate to access the lock cylinder. Remove the mechanical
key shank from the transmitter, insert it into the lock cylinder, and rotate it to open the rear compartment.
If the vehicle is a 2023+ model year, then the mechanical lock cylinder located behind the rear license plate has
been eliminated on all variants. Another possible scenario, is if the vehicle had previously been in an accident
where the rear tub assembly had been repaired / replaced. The new tub may not have provisions for the lock
cylinder. In either case, one of several alternate methods must be used to access the rear compartment on these
vehicles. The following methods are organized from the easiest, to the most di cult. Please try the simple
attempts rst, before attempting the more involved methods to access the rear compartment. If any one method
works, there is no need to continue with the rest of this document. It is highly suggested that the technician view
the January 2023 Emerging Issues Video before attempting any of these procedures. This is currently listed as
course #10223.01V. The following three methods will address an electrical failure of the rear compartment latch
assembly.
If the vehicle is a convertible (RPO CM9), then an easy method to gain access to the rear compartment is to follow
the document in SI titled "Opening the Liftgate Latch Without Electrical Power", currently Document ID: 6291324.
This will direct the technician to rst apply paint protection to the vehicle, and then fully open the rear stowage
compartment lid, commonly referred to as the tonneau panel. Insert a wedge or airbag tool in order to open up a
slight gap between the leading edge of the weather stripping and the rear compartment lid. Then, insert a
slender tool with a bore scope attached. Locate and release the emergency release handle that is located on the
RH (passenger) side of the latch assembly.
NOTE: The following method is only possible when the rear compartment is not full of items that may block
access to the emergency release handle in the trunk. Ask the customer if they have any items in the rear
compartment such as groceries, golf bags, rigid items, etc. SOME items may be in the rear compartment that will
not a ect this attempt at all, so it still may be worth trying this method.
A potential method that can be used to gain access to the rear compartment for a coupe or a convertible, is to
follow the document in SI also titled "Opening the Liftgate Latch Without Electrical Power", currently Document ID:
6287070. The rst step to accessing the rear compartment is to raise the vehicle on a lift. Remove the right rear
wheel/tire assembly. Partially remove the rear of the wheel liner to access the grommet in the body. A large
wiring harness runs from the wheel well area into the rear compartment. Remove the rubber grommet and
gently push the wiring harness aside. Obtain a slender tool with a hook on the end. Attach a bore scope to this
tool and insert it into the rear compartment access. Pull on the emergency release handle to pop the rear
compartment lid open.
If the customer has items in the rear compartment that do indeed prevent access to the emergency release
handle, another alternate method will have to be used. Regardless if the vehicle is a coupe or a convertible, the
tech will need to follow the procedure shown in the January 2023 Emerging Issues Video (beginning at the 22:34
mark) for drilling the appropriate access hole in the rear tub. The servicing tech MAY need to obtain a speci c
tool for this procedure as well. Refer to the SI document also titled Opening the Liftgate Latch Without Electrical
Power, currently Document 6287071.
Follow the directions found in the video to open the rear compartment using this method.
Finally, one last possibility exists, and that is when the rear compartment latch assembly has a mechanical
concern, and none of the methods listed above will work. If that is the case, please create a brand new case by
contacting the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and then calling them to discuss Potential next steps.
Warranty Information
Because the repair may be one of several listed, please use the labor op that most closely matches the repair that
was required.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is
resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.
Version History
Version
Modi ed
1
05/10/2023 - Created on.
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