Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

I put together this electronic trunk release for my '02 f4i.
Trunk release actuator from a late '90's Ford Escort at a junkyard - about $5.00
Momentary switch from Radio Shack - about $4.00

Connected the switch to the license plate power so only can be activated with the key in and on.

I located the switch on the front of the "toolbox" in the undertray. Which makes it quite accessible right behind the front seat.
Had to slightly modify the actuator to accept the cable but it works beautifully.

I've had some inquiries about putting together kits, which I would probably sell for about $25.00 or so. Lemme know if there's any interest.

--Brian


actuator:
Attachment 87497

switch:
Attachment 87498

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

so, no key needed? are you just removing the key entry altogether?

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

No key needed. When I got my f4i it already had an undertail installed and the guy that did that just ran a little wire out from under the seat to activate the release. I came up with this for a little security. [8D]

The key is required in the sense that it has to be in the ignition and in the On position to activate the trunk release.

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

Here's a tutorial I posted up on cbrworld.net:


Electric trunk release for Honda CBR600F4i – 2001 and up.

Items needed:
Electric Trunk actuator from late 90's Ford Escort.
Momentary switch from Radio Shack. - A momentary switch means the circuit is only closed when you are holding the button down
Some wire and wire connectors

Tools Needed:
Pliers
Drill
Wire cutters/strippers
Dremel or hacksaw
Screwdriver
Wrenches/Sockets

Prepping the actuator:
1. Remove everything except for the magnetic actuator and the plate it's on.
2. Bend the bolt hole at a 90 degree angle towards the actuator.
3. Using a Dremel or a hacksaw or other cutting tool cut the bolt hole on the
down edge and then open the remainder. You are doing this so you can put the cable end in that bolt hole.

Prepping the bike:
Disconnect the positive lead of the battery.
Remove both front and rear seats.
You can remove the tail fairing if you want to, but I didn’t feel that it would help me any.


1. un-attach the cable from the locking mechanism
2. mount the actuator to a sturdy part of the bike within reach of the trunk cable. The easiest way to do this is to "test-fit" the cable to the end of the actuator and find a mounting point. The easiest place for this is the left side of the bike on the frame
under the split point of the front and rear seat. Drill through only one side of the box frame, and screw down the actuator.
3. Locate and mount where you want to position the switch to activate the trunk release. Recommended position is under and behind the front seat on the front end of the tool tray. This allows the switch to be hidden and still easy to get to. Seat removal is not necessary to activate the switch.
4. Tap the power for the actuator. Connect the switch to a "hot" power lead. From within the trunk the easiest line to tap into is the license plate positive wire. This allows the trunk to ONLY be activated while the key is in and in the on position.
4a. For always on run a positive line from the battery or other always hot line. A fuse on that line would be recommended.
5. Connect the other lead of the switch to the positive line of the actuator.
6. Connect the negative lead of the actuator to a suitable grounding point. Using one of the new screw that mounts the actuator to the sub-frame is the easiest.
7. Put the plastic end of the cable tube into the opened bolt-hole and then close it. This should hold that tube in the quite well.
8. Connect the trunk cable end (that ball-looking thing) to the actuator. I used a slotted piece of metal that I had lying around, at this point I don't have a perfect solutions for
this so you're going to have to be creative.
9. Reconnect the battery and test.

**A good safety feature is to add a manual release for emergency situations.
To do this take a small piece of wire and attach it to
the end of the cable release. Create a finger-sized loop in the wire and
run it to a hidden place. Recommended place is under and
behind the front seat where it can be reached with the seat on.


If you want to do this and have any problems feel free to email me with your questions: bjmcveigh@hotmail.com

--Brian

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

Really cool idea
Any idea if this would work on a 2001 929??
I really like this system looks great man. I get so tired of messing with my key trying to get the trunk open with riding gloves on. The trunk box looks the same on my bike but i don't know about the latch. i can't see why they would be any different. But who knows
one other thing does it have to be a switch from a 90's escort?

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

It should pretty much work on any bike. You're not changing the latch itself, you're only changing the end of the cable that's connected to the key/lock. I haven't looked at other bikes but this should be adaptable to pretty much any bike.

The actuator doesn't have to come off of an Escort/626 but looking around the junkyard it was the only one that I saw that I liked the size and the actuator was easily adaptable to use as the trunk release.

If you find something else that works please post it up, I'd definitely be interested in seeing other ides.

--Brian

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

I would be interested in paying $25 or so for somebody to give me everything I needed. Let me know.

-mike-

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

You got a pm.

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

lazyass

RE: Electronic Trunk Release for F4i
 

LOL