Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: guncharmer on 18 April 2010, 11:15:22

Title: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: guncharmer on 18 April 2010, 11:15:22
3rd time now(my fault i know) have gone to pull down the boot lid with the black plastic pull down handle type thing and nearly detached my hand from the wrist.Anything more than just a very gentle tug seems to set off a chain reaction and as the boot comes down with increasing speed the hand gets trapped and the boot lid becomes a guillotine!

Anybody suffered the same or am i just cack handed?
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Richie London on 18 April 2010, 11:19:45
i used to twist my fingers closing the boot by the strap i use the rear spoiler now. 
another thing pi$$es me off, having to switch engine off and take key out to open boot
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Plomien on 18 April 2010, 11:24:00
I don't get that problem but then I have an estate  :D ;D
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: pedroMV6 on 18 April 2010, 11:34:49
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I don't get that problem but then I have an estate  :D ;D

Same here - far more civilised! :y

Have to say, I tend to not use those silly handles anyway - for that very reason.
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: guncharmer on 18 April 2010, 11:34:53
I hopefully trust myself with this strap/handle now but i keep thinking i had better remove it and so prevent any other unfortunates falling prey to this evil device.

Not my style but i reckon a lawsuit with GM would be winnable.
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 18 April 2010, 12:07:30
yes, I've done that
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: feeutfo on 18 April 2010, 13:26:40
perhaps gm hope thier customers are smart enough to realise they need to take thier hand out of the boot space before closing the boot lid?.....perhaps the catera doesn't get the boot strap?   :D
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Tony H on 18 April 2010, 13:48:27
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i used to twist my fingers closing the boot by the strap i use the rear spoiler now. 
another thing pi$$es me off, having to switch engine off and take key out to open boot
[/highlight]
If I recall correctly there's a "how to"to modify the wiringto the  switch so you can open the boot with the key in :y
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: guncharmer on 18 April 2010, 13:58:49
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perhaps gm hope thier customers are smart enough to realise they need to take thier hand out of the boot space before closing the boot lid?.....perhaps the catera doesn't get the boot strap?   :D

And therein lies the basis of the claim because withdrawing your hand instinctively further accelerates the downward speed of the boot lid as the aperture of the strap closes proportionaly to the amount of `tug` applied, resulting in the hand being trapped.
Fantastic design for a strap to hang on to while standing on a bus,tram etc but seriously flawed when applied to this use and bloody painful.
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: RobG on 18 April 2010, 14:05:43
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i used to twist my fingers closing the boot by the strap i use the rear spoiler now. 
another thing pi$$es me off, having to switch engine off and take key out to open boot
[/highlight]
If I recall correctly there's a "how to"to modify the wiringto the  switch so you can open the boot with the key in :y
Indeed there is http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1155211091
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 18 April 2010, 14:52:53
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Quote
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i used to twist my fingers closing the boot by the strap i use the rear spoiler now. 
another thing pi$$es me off, having to switch engine off and take key out to open boot
[/highlight]
If I recall correctly there's a "how to"to modify the wiringto the  switch so you can open the boot with the key in :y
Indeed there is http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1155211091


The great thing is, although my previous CDX had the problem of removing the key to open the boot, my latest Elite does not have that problem. :D :D   I just push the switch in on the dash for about 5 seconds and it opens! 8-) 8-)
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: feeutfo on 18 April 2010, 16:31:27
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perhaps gm hope thier customers are smart enough to realise they need to take thier hand out of the boot space before closing the boot lid?.....perhaps the catera doesn't get the boot strap?   :D

And therein lies the basis of the claim because withdrawing your hand instinctively further accelerates the downward speed of the boot lid as the aperture of the strap closes proportionaly to the amount of `tug` applied, resulting in the hand being trapped.
Fantastic design for a strap to hang on to while standing on a bus,tram etc but seriously flawed when applied to this use and bloody painful.
maybe there's a problem, on mine, pull the boot strap down to half way, as the boot starts to fall, as it does from half way, let go. Should just fall and shut? no?

If theres was no strap the user is left to handle the boot lid from outside, causing dirty hands and scratched paintwork from jewellry keys or whatever else.
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 18 April 2010, 16:34:27
They always say that you can only kick a mule once.....

Some of us humans are not quite so clever  :y ;)
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: waspy on 18 April 2010, 17:50:33
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i used to twist my fingers closing the boot by the strap i use the rear spoiler now. 
another thing pi$$es me off, having to switch engine off and take key out to open boot

Well you learn something new everyday :)
I've always been able to open the boot on my diesel with the engine running :) :)
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Andy B on 18 April 2010, 17:58:55
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.....
maybe there's a problem, on mine, pull the boot strap down to half way, as the boot starts to fall, as it does from half way, let go. Should just fall and shut? no?

If theres was no strap the user is left to handle the boot lid from outside, causing dirty hands and scratched paintwork from jewellry keys or whatever else.

I have the same kind of boot as you Chris, only I catch my boot, and drop it the last couple of inches ..... which is something nobody else in  my family can manage to do. They seem to pull the strap as hard as they can & then let go so the boot SLAMS shut!
But I'm always wrong to complain  :-? :-?  :-?
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: jereboam on 18 April 2010, 18:56:18
Are we all talking about the same motor vehicle?

You can open the boot of my car with the engine running.

But I can't use the strap to close the boot - I'm too short to reach it without standing on tiptoe. 

I don't find it slams shut.  I find other people slam it.  But you also notice the slam more if you are sitting inside the car.
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Andy B on 18 April 2010, 19:52:34
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Are we all talking about the same motor vehicle?

You can open the boot of my car with the engine running. .
No. ;)Your car is a prefacelift & has a handle on the outside that doesn't need a key to leave unlocked. They're talking about facelift cars that don't have an outside lock & is opened from a button on the dash. Depending how old the facelift is, depends whether you have the ignition OFF to opperate the boot, or press & hold to release the boot while the engine is still running.  :y

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But I can't use the strap to close the boot - I'm too short to reach it without standing on tiptoe.  .
A piece of rope to use as an extension?  ::)  ::)

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I don't find it slams shut.  I find other people slam it.  But you also notice the slam more if you are sitting inside the car.
That's what my family say when I tell them they've slammed the boot shut!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Vamps on 18 April 2010, 19:58:44
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Are we all talking about the same motor vehicle?

You can open the boot of my car with the engine running. .
No. ;)Your car is a prefacelift & has a handle on the outside that doesn't need a key to leave unlocked. They're talking about facelift cars that don't have an outside lock & is opened from a button on the dash. Depending how old the facelift is, depends whether you have the ignition OFF to opperate the boot, or press & hold to release the boot while the engine is still running.  :y

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But I can't use the strap to close the boot - I'm too short to reach it without standing on tiptoe.  .
A piece of rope to use as an extension?  ::)  ::)

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I don't find it slams shut.  I find other people slam it.  But you also notice the slam more if you are sitting inside the car.
That's what my family say when I tell them they've slammed the boot shut!  ;D ;D ;D


Not just me then....... :D :D :D
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: TheBoy on 18 April 2010, 19:59:12
Struts could be weak.


As for facelift saloons - 2000 and 2001, key has to come out to open boot. 2002/2003, you have to press/hold to open boot, key can be in.

Hillpers boot mod sorts out the 2000/2001 issue, but causes another with courtesy light. Don't try it on 2002/2003 cars!
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 18 April 2010, 20:18:56
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Struts could be weak.


As for facelift saloons - 2000 and 2001, key has to come out to open boot. 2002/2003, you have to press/hold to open boot, key can be in.

Hillpers boot mod sorts out the 2000/2001 issue, but causes another with courtesy light. Don't try it on 2002/2003 cars!

On my CDX that was true, but on my current Elite I can unlatch the boot whilst the engine is running with the switch on the dash board ;) ;)  It has not been modified. :)
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: TheBoy on 18 April 2010, 20:19:43
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Quote
Struts could be weak.


As for facelift saloons - 2000 and 2001, key has to come out to open boot. 2002/2003, you have to press/hold to open boot, key can be in.

Hillpers boot mod sorts out the 2000/2001 issue, but causes another with courtesy light. Don't try it on 2002/2003 cars!

On my CDX that was true, but on my current Elite I can unlatch the boot whilst the engine is running with the switch on the dash board ;) ;)  It has not been modified. :)
/panto mode


Oh yes it has ;)
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 18 April 2010, 20:25:04
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Quote
Quote
Struts could be weak.


As for facelift saloons - 2000 and 2001, key has to come out to open boot. 2002/2003, you have to press/hold to open boot, key can be in.

Hillpers boot mod sorts out the 2000/2001 issue, but causes another with courtesy light. Don't try it on 2002/2003 cars!

On my CDX that was true, but on my current Elite I can unlatch the boot whilst the engine is running with the switch on the dash board ;) ;)  It has not been modified. :)
/panto mode


Oh yes it has ;)


Oh no it hasn't! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Andy B on 18 April 2010, 20:35:22
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Quote
..../panto mode


Oh yes it has ;)


Oh no it hasn't! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

FIGHT!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: TheBoy on 18 April 2010, 20:50:09
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Quote
Quote
Quote
Struts could be weak.


As for facelift saloons - 2000 and 2001, key has to come out to open boot. 2002/2003, you have to press/hold to open boot, key can be in.

Hillpers boot mod sorts out the 2000/2001 issue, but causes another with courtesy light. Don't try it on 2002/2003 cars!

On my CDX that was true, but on my current Elite I can unlatch the boot whilst the engine is running with the switch on the dash board ;) ;)  It has not been modified. :)
/panto mode


Oh yes it has ;)


Oh no it hasn't! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Do you have to press and hold for a couple of secs to open boot? And its a MY 2000?
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: TheBoy on 18 April 2010, 20:51:00
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Quote
Quote
..../panto mode


Oh yes it has ;)


Oh no it hasn't! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

FIGHT!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Me v LZ in our swimming costumes, in a mud bath ::)
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 18 April 2010, 20:54:51
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Quote
Quote
Quote
..../panto mode


Oh yes it has ;)


Oh no it hasn't! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

FIGHT!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Me v LZ in our swimming costumes, in a mud bath ::)

Fantasises, fantasises!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Anyway TB it would have to be in an oil bath, Vx 10/40 semi synthetic of course! ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Andy B on 18 April 2010, 20:56:36
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....
Me  ... in  ..... swimming costumes, in a mud bath ::)

There's an image!  :o  :o  :o
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: Vamps on 18 April 2010, 20:58:41
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Quote
....
Me  ... in  ..... swimming costumes, in a mud bath ::)

There's an image!  :o  :o  :o

ooh don't go there..... :D :D now in the oil, well...... ;D ;D ;D
Title: jeez man
Post by: doog on 19 April 2010, 00:21:20
If you close the boot of your car without removing your hand first it will hurt

clearly not a difficult thing to follow   ;)
Title: Re: jeez man
Post by: guncharmer on 19 April 2010, 11:39:57
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If you close the boot of your car without removing your hand first it will hurt

clearly not a difficult thing to follow   ;)

It appeared to me that the purpose  of the handle/strap was to allow closing of the boot without touching the dirty/wet outside.So i had applied enough force to effect the closing of the boot(boot struts fully working) by overcoming the support provided by the struts and complete this manouevre in one action and thats when it all goes pear shaped for reasons previously mentioned.
I may have approached this wrongly but i did nearly tear the hand off my wrist .

I would just like to add its stopped throbbing ,though it appears the reporting of said incident may have created a  throbbing for others indirectly! 
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: TheBoy on 19 April 2010, 11:43:51
Never had an issue myself. Most cars have some kind of handle, dont recall many reports of people suffering, except the Bletchley chavs who watch too much daytime telly, and believe the adverts that they will get £20bn....
Title: Re: Should be a warning on the boot lid pull down
Post by: guncharmer on 19 April 2010, 12:29:48
I am definitely the grin and bear it type,i even find it strangely amusing that i have managed to self-harm whilst attemting to shut the boot on three occasions now! There will almost certainly be a 4th when the short term memory allows.
Methinks i ought to remove the strap asap plus that means i have a use for my costly metabo drill/screwdriver bit set. Torx screw i think.

Maybe i should start a thread highlighting the possible danger of closing the boot with the strap handle.