Hi recently started encountering problems with my boot release in that it won't open on my Punto Evo. when you press the button on the key or on the dashboard you can hear the release mechanism working yet the boot won't open. I've tried the catch on the inside of the boot and that wouldn't work either like it was stuck.

I finally managed to open the boot while trying the manual catch and the button on my key and now it seems to be working ok. this has happened to me a couple of times now I have had a quick search on here and cannot find the same problem.

does anybody know what the problem could be?
I did wonder initially if the battery was low and the mechanism wasn't getting enough voltage although the car starts fine and with the engine running it still wouldn't open.

Sounds like the lock has seized up. Any signs of rust anywhere? Have you put any penetrating spray or WD-40 on it?

hi ive just had another look there's no rust in the boot area that I can see anyway.

I noticed some water on the carpet it didn't look like it was the boot seal so I took the plastic off the boot lid then it started raining and its leaking in round the rear wiper and dripping directly on the boot mechanism so im guessing water has got in and it seized as a result.

Its frustrating as I know the seal round the wiper is new as the window got smashed just over a year ago and the old one was not usable.

I guess im going to have to fix the leak and I may as well replace the boot latch in case it develops problems in the future.

Tbh.. the hatches can carry water..

But the outer drain holes should deal with it..

Not had any issue with my latches.. and SEARCH didnt come up with much

seanrjordan said:

I have had a quick search on here and cannot find the same problem.

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You talk about the button on the dash?

Are you sure you don't have a Grande, this maybe why you can't find anything in the EVO section of the Forum.

The EVO had a different badge on the boot to the Grande and what you do on the EVO is push the middle of the boot badge in and the boot will pop open. There wasn't a dash button (as far as I am aware) on the EVO models.

The Grande had the button on the Dash and the button on the key, but no way to open the boot if you had your hands full and the keys where in your pocket, hence why fiat did some updates in this area on the EVO.

AndyRKett said:

You talk about the button on the dash?

Are you sure you don't have a Grande, this maybe why you can't find anything in the EVO section of the Forum.

The EVO had a different badge on the boot to the Grande and what you do on the EVO is push the middle of the boot badge in and the boot will pop open. There wasn't a dash button (as far as I am aware) on the EVO models.

The Grande had the button on the Dash and the button on the key, but no way to open the boot if you had your hands full and the keys where in your pocket, hence why fiat did some updates in this area on the EVO.

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yes its definitely an EVO and not a Grande. its a 60 plate badge on the boot does nothing at all. and button is on dash posted picture of car and button circled below.

maybe some are setup like the Grande?

varesecrazy said:

Tbh.. the hatches can carry water..

But the outer drain holes should deal with it..

Not had any issue with my latches.. and SEARCH didnt come up with much

Click to expand...

The drain holes do seem to be going their job although it seems to drip onto the latch mechanism first so I guess its got in and seized as the electrics seem to work ok as they were attempting to get it to open but needed assistance. when it stops raining for more than 5 minutes im going to pull the mechanism out lubricate it and check the electrical contacts are ok.

im struggling to locate the so called seal gasket for the wiper part number 51749955 online I'd go to a fiat dealer but my nearest one is an hour away. so far no sites I trust have it.

Shop4parts.. ?

unfortunately shop for parts doesn't have it. I guess ill have to go to the dealer.

although im a little confused with my boot release the one on the car is part number 55701971 which on eper and shop for parts and is for an Alfa Romeo Giulietta where the one meant to be for the Punto evo should be part number 55702917.


I guess i'll order the release that's fitted as I know that works.