Frunk Won’t Open Model 3 [Causes + Fix]

If Frunk Won’t Open Model 3, the latch rusts, or the spring in the latch mechanism gets stuck; the Tesla Model 3 trunk won’t open.

Before choosing one of these options to open the front trunk on your Model 3, make sure the vehicle is in Park:

• On the touchscreen, choose “Frunk” under “Touch Controls.”
• Twice press and hold the front trunk button on the key fob.
• Click the front trunk button in the app.
• After that, pull the hood open.

Frunk Won’t Open Model 3

Ensure the Model 3 is in Park before pulling the hood open and selecting one of the following actions to open the front trunk:

• Touch the touchscreen’s corresponding Open icon.
• Double-click the key fob’s front trunk button.
• In the app, tap the front trunk button.

Potential Causes

A frequent problem with Tesla vehicles, particularly the Model 3, is that the hood may become stuck and not open due to broken hood latch actuators.

Two additional problems that could result in a stuck frunk hood on a Tesla are rusted cables or a misplaced hood latch.

Faulty Latch Actuators

If it has a damaged hood release actuator, your Tesla hood might not open when you press the OPEN button.

Two actuators are located next to the hood latch.

The hood can unlock and lift by about an inch with the help of the primary actuator. 

The secondary actuator prevents the hood from opening as a safety measure if you forget and drive with it open.

When the frunk is opened, the hood can not rise if the secondary actuator isn’t working properly.

These electrically operated actuators release the hood when the button is depressed.

Actuators could break down and require replacement. In under 30 minutes, it is possible to quickly and easily replace a Tesla hood actuator.

The actuator is fastened in place using two 10mm bolts. 

After removing the plastic cover in the frunk, the two actuators are visible and can be changed using a 10mm wrench.

When the main actuator permits the hood to raise by one inch, you can manually release it, but the secondary actuator won’t.

Rusted Cables

The actuator cables could get stuck due to rust.

Your Tesla’s hood might be completely closed, but if you press the OPEN button, it remains stuck, which could indicate a frunk cable problem. 

Typically, if you hear noise around the front latch of the hood, it indicates that the hood actuators are in use but that the wires or latch are caught.

Apply lithium grease to the actuator cable and run it by hand to free the cables and guarantee proper operation.

Damaged Microswitches

The hood latch has a micro switch that detects whether the hood is open or closed. A broken or misaligned microswitch could show the hood as open even when closed.

If so, you must physically open the Tesla hood to replace or realign the micro switches.

Frunk Latch Problem

A misplaced hood latch is the last potential problem that can prohibit a Tesla hood from properly shutting or opening.

The front bumper may have bent the hood latch.

This could result in a malfunctioning micro switch and actuators that lean toward the hood and don’t completely release when the frunk is opened.

It is not uncommon for the Tesla front trunk to partially detach due to a problem with the hood clasp.

3 Solutions To Open A Tesla Model 3 Frunk

To save money, use DIY bug-fixing techniques before contacting Tesla. I’ll present numerous issues before offering remedies. It is as easy as the following to troubleshoot the Tesla Model 3 frunk:

Front Trunk Is Gapped But Won’t Open

This error typically occurs when the front trunk latch becomes stuck. In that case, the trunk will still have a little aperture but won’t open.

How Can I Fix This?

• You should get a rubber or plastic pry bar.
• While slipping the pry bar under the front trunk gap, exert upward pressure.
• The same tool can also remove the lower latch cover. There might be springs and other metal components.
• As soon as the hood opens, grab a can of WD40 penetrating oil and spray it on the metal parts.
• Keep an eye on it for around 30 seconds.
• Close the trunk and check it out using the touchscreen command.

The front bonnet won’t open. However, commands are active.

The issue is most likely a blocked spring if you’ve used the Key Fob or Tesla app, and the command appears to be executing, but the frunk isn’t opening. Let’s twist this error.

Step away from the Tesla. Apply upward pressure to the hood while pressing the OPEN button on the touchscreen.

It would help if you asked your friend for help to finish this process correctly. After that, lightly press down on the frunk (near the lock).

Before you release the pressure, instruct your passenger to use the same touchscreen button to open the hood.

Frunk Won’t Open And Show Open

The frunk won’t open or release mainly because of a defective actuator.

The front bonnet cannot open the latch, regardless of whether you use the app or tap OPEN on the screen.

How To Troubleshoot?

• Use a pry bar to pry open the trunk.
• Use the same tool to unlock the lower latch cover once again. Verify that the 3-wire connector for the switch is unplugged.
• Get a 10 mm socket wrench to remove the bolt holding the air intake cover in the trunk. In addition, to enter a room, open the battery cover.
• Use the release cord to find the primary actuator on the passenger side. Front End Module EOL A is written on a Tesla sticker that you’ll see.
• Disconnect the battery’s 12A cable.
• Remove two bolts with a 10 mm socket.
• To remove the zip tie holding the primary actuator container to the electrical harness, use a pointed metal pry tool.
• Include the new actuator in the design of the area. Add two screws to the sides and tighten them with a screwdriver.
• Join the latch mechanism and the actuator’s release cord. Connect one end to the actuator and the other to where the latching tool will be placed.
• Place the actuator compartment back in place and tighten the two bolts. Tighten them using a 10 mm socket wrench.
• Ensure that the plug connecting to the 12A battery is properly fastened.
• Reattach the wiring harness to the zip tie on the right side of the primary actuator.
• Replace the air intake cover after installing the bolts. To tighten them, use the 10 mm socket wrench.
• The battery cover must be put in place properly.
• After connecting the 3-wire connector to the switch, lightly press the lower latch cover into place.
• To restart the Tesla after shutting the trunk, press and hold the two scroll buttons for 10 seconds.
• Try it out.

How Is The Model 3 Frunk Opened?

If the touchscreen malfunctions or the power goes out, other ways exist to open the trunk. Here are four illustrations:

Use the Frunk Manual Release for the Tesla Model 3

By depressing the covert switch on the hood’s driver’s side. It appears to be a pressable button.

Here is an example of how to open a Tesla 3 trunk with no power:

• Invest in a portable jump starter or other external power supply with low voltage.
• Locate the Tesla Model 3’s trunk emergency release cover.
• If you press firmly (on the top right edge), the lid will pivot inward.  After that, pull as usual while being gentle with the higher section. Check whether the terminal on the two-eye cover is positive (+) or detrimental (-).
• Take off the two cables from the two eye covers. Before removing the negative wire, take out the positive one.
• Attach the low-voltage power source’s red wire to the positive (+) post. The negative (-) post has to have a black wire from a low-voltage power source plugged into it.
• It is necessary to turn on the power supply to open the front hood locks.
• Turn the front hood on.
• Next, unplug the red and black connectors from the positive and negative pins of the low-voltage power supply.
• Attach the two eye covers to either the positive or negative post. Make sure it is aligned and positioned properly. To close the internal emergency cover, turn it over and press firmly.

Utilize the Tesla App

• Launch the Tesla app on your phone.
• The front hood open logo is on the middle button, and the Frunk Open/Close button is in the toggles.
• Click it. When a bar with the words “Are You Sure” appears, you must choose yes.
• Wait until the car opens the trunk before continuing.

Tesla Frunk On The Screen Won’t Open

I’d like to know if the car must be hard rebooted because this issue originally surfaced following a fresh upgrade.

Conclusion

This method works to fix if Frunk Won’t Open Model 3. The three solutions should help you; try them out. If none work, try calling Tesla’s customer service or hiring a professional to repair the broken part.

Frequently Asked Questions