How To Install S197 Mustang Trunk Release Kit | 2005-2009

Like just about every new owner of a 2005-09 Mustang, I went hunting for the trunk button in the car only to find that Ford failed to put one in the car in the first place. Sure the button is on the keyfob, but what if it turns up missing or you don’t have it with you? Luckily, I wasn't the only one who felt this way and there is now a quick and easy solution for us!

LMR offers a 05-09 Mustang trunk release that requires no cutting or modifying and takes roughly 15 minutes to install. Out of the box, you will find the button already attached to its bezel with the wiring ready to go, as well as some zip ties and wire taps for installation.

Tools Required

• Flat head screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver

Wiring in Center Console

1. Turn the car off and remove the key. Remove any items that may be in your center console, cup holder, or passenger side floor.
2. First we will be removing the center console cover. The cover is held on by two Phillips screws located in the rear of the console (towards the back of the car). Remove these screws and set them aside for re-installation later.


3. Pull your emergency brake up as far as reasonably possible in order to make it easier to remove the center console panel. Note: the rubber boots that shroud the emergency brake lever tend to hug the lever as you attempt to remove the center console.
4. Remove the leather bezel from the shifter (manual transmission) or trim bezel (automatic transmission). Note: On manual transmissions, you must unscrew the shifter ball in order to remove the leather bezel completely. While unscrewing the shifter ball, hold the leather boot in place so it does not get twisted up.


5. Begin to carefully lift up on the entire center console cover. Several clips hold the console into place and they will un-snap as you pull up on the panel. You’ll want to keep the entire console cover level until all the clips un-snap, and then you can manipulate the panel as necessary to remove it. Generally, you will not need to pry upon any part of the console – it should un-snap from the base relatively easily.
6. As you lift up on the console, you will need to carefully maneuver it over the emergency brake lever. If you are concerned about scratching the dash with the console, use a rag and drape it over the console end to act as a cushion.


7. After the center console cover has been removed, gently set it off to the side for re-installation later.
8. Remove the emergency brake access cover with a small plastic pry tool or flat head screwdriver (wrapped in a microfiber towel).


9. Install the included emergency brake access cover (with button) into the center console compartment. Wires come already connected to the switch. Route the wires through the hole vacated by the access cover you just removed.
10. Locate the green and black wire running under the cup holder area towards the center console compartment. These wires plug into the 12-volt power supply located in your center console compartment. Using the supplied blue wire tap, slide the black wire onto the wire tap. The wire should sit in the middle of the two teeth. Squeeze down on the wire tap making sure it snaps closed. Do Not Cut The Wire! Note: If necessary, you can use a pair of pliers to squeeze the wire tap closed.


11. Plug the black wire from the button wiring into the back of the blue wire tap.

Routing wiring in passenger compartment

1. At this point, use one or two of the supplied zip ties to safely secure the red and black wire away from the emergency brake assembly. We want to make sure that they are tied down so that we do not interfere with the e-brake operation. One option is to zip tie the switch wiring to the green/ black wires running to the 12-volt power supply.
2. Route the red wire down the passenger side of the center console until you reach the shifter.
3. Remove the trim panel located to the right of the radio controls. Gently pull the panel straight out.


4. Route the red wire towards the glove box. Now carefully re-install the trim panel you just removed. This will help hold the red wire in place. The panel re-installs the same way it was removed.


5. Route the wire across the back of the glove compartment (there is a bracket which you can secure it to with zip ties). Check to make sure the wire will not interfere with glove box operation.
6. At this point open the passenger side door (if not already open). The skid plate that says ‘Mustang’ (or ‘SVT’ if you have a GT500) will need to be pulled up slightly so that we can pull back the carpet. You can remove this panel if you would like, but it is not necessary or recommended as it is held on with double-sided tape on the outermost side (some model years are not taped down).
7. Pull the end of the skid plate closest to the front of the car up slightly. You will hear it unsnap. Note: Be careful, this panel has sharp edges that can cut you.
8. Now pull the carpeting back slightly to reveal a bundle of wire. Gently pull back some of the electrical tape to reveal all the wires.


9. At this point it is important to note a few things – sometimes wire colors bleed onto each other over the years and it becomes tougher to differentiate between colors. You may also have a tough time seeing the colors because the wires are very small. Lastly, keep in mind that depending on the features your particular car has, it is possible to have more than one of the same color wire. When this happens you will always be tapping into the smaller of the two wires (the skinny 22 gauge wire).
10. Using the supplied red wire tap, slide the thin white wire with pink stripe onto the wire tap. The wire should sit in the middle of the two teeth. Squeeze down on the wire tap making sure it snaps closed. Do not cut Wire! Note: the pink stripe on this wire may appear to be red or violet. With the 2007 Model years, Ford varied the color of the wire they used. If you find that the white wire with the pink stripe does not exist or does not work, you will most likely need to use the thin orange wire with pink stripe. In the event that the first wire didn’t work, place a piece of electrical tape over the area that you tapped into.
11. Finish routing the red wire down to the skid plate and plug it into the red wire tap. Tuck it in behind the kick panel so that it is out of view.

Final Installation

1. Double check everything to make sure it was connected properly. Test the switch to make sure the trunk opens when pressed. If it does not, visit the trouble shooting section below. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
2. Replace the carpet and then press down on the skid plate to snap back into place.
3. Re-install center console cover the same way you removed it - be sure not to bump the dash.
4. Replace the two screws that were removed from the center console cover during installation.
5. Replace the bezel surrounding the transmission shifter. If equipped with a manual transmission, re-install the shifter boot/ knob.
6. Enjoy your trunk release kit! The kit will operate the trunk release anytime, regardless of if the key is in the ignition or not. Be careful not to press it while driving or the trunk will open.

Trouble Shooting Guide

Trunk does not open when button is pressed

• Check both wire taps that you installed earlier in installation – make sure both are closed completely.
• Make sure you have used the red wire tap on the correct wire – sometimes the small wires make it difficult to determine wire color. As mentioned above, colors can bleed onto other wires over time. Use a magnifying glass to determine the wire color if necessary.

Cannot find the correct color wire on a 2007/08 model year

• In rare instances, Ford varied the wire colors on some 2007/08 model years. Unfortunately, it is not possible to tell if your vehicle is affected until the beginning of the installation. If you believe you have a vehicle with this issue and have already tried locating a wire matching the color pattern(s) listed on page 3, the only other way to identify the proper wire is to locate the wire as it comes out of the SJB (Smart Junction Box). To do so, follow these instructions:
1. Remove the negative cable on the battery to disconnect the vehicle's power.
2. Un-bolt the SJB so that you can gain access to the connectors located behind it – it is located behind the passenger side kick panel.
3. Locate the C2280C connector (it is labeled with part number C2280C).
4. On the connector, locate pin#21 – this is the wire color that we are looking for and the one that will need to be tapped into with the red wire tap.