Is there a way into this trunk without drilling out the lock tumbler?Ive had this thing to the mechanic and he said maby the vacume system has it locked. is there a way I can blow or vacume through these lines which have been cut by the p.o. Which vacume line is for unlock I have two lines going to the trunk. I was thinking I could blow regulated pressure or vacume these lines to unlock the trunk. By the way there is no trunk release cable.
Also one more problem I mistakenly hooked the old disconected interior vacume control lines to the vacume main hose where it t's to the ignition. The ignition hose was unhooked. Of course the vacume was going to a broken line. Nothing happened with the lock. Now with the interior hoses disconnected and the ignition back in its prospective place the engine is slow to turn off. I will have the key out and it is still running for a second or two unlike before where it turned off immediatly. I suppose i may have broken the vacume pump Diaphram. any help on these issues would be greatly appreciated especially the trunk. I wish i had a robot.
Chris
83 240 d Euro

Regardless of the vacuum system, you should be able to open the trunk with the key. try turning it to the left and pushing in wiht the key in place. Failing that, Seems to me I was able to open a trunk once by removing the license plate lights and working towards the lock thru the holes. Took a long time. Once you get this thing open, you really need to fix all the vacuum lines with the proper chart. Sounds like you have a leak somewhere in the engine vacuum circuit. This will foul up your ignition shutoff and the climate control.

If you insert the key and turn it all the way to the left (roughly 8 oclock position) and push in at the same time it bypasses the vac system lock.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

If you really can't get it to open with Bob's and rg's suggestion, there is a vacuum line behind the backseat cushion. I think it's the large yellow with green stripe (I'm not 100% sure). Buy some rubber tubing first so you can put it back together. You shouldn't need a pump, ...just suck on it (wipe it off first, you don't know what's lived back there).

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

You are correct, there are two vacuum lines, the yellow line with green stripe unlocks the trunk (and fuel door) when vacuum is applied. The green line with the red stripe locks the trunk (and fuel door) when vacuum is applied. As an alternative to cutting the line under the back seat, the 4-way tee under the right side front carpet supplies the trunk/fuel door. If you lift the carpet, you will see a black plastic "channel" running along the right side of the floor. There are 4-way tees for the open (yellow/green) and closed (yellow/red) lines. You want to apply vacuum to the line that goes to the trunk (trial and error). One of the lines is the vacuum supply (from the drivers door lock), one goes to the right front door (this line heads towards the front of the car), one goes to the right rear door, and one goes to the trunk. If you have a hand vacuum pump (i.e., Mighty Vac) try applying vacuum to each of the yellow/green lines and see what happens. If the system is intact, one on these lines should unlock the trunk.

BTW, if the trunk look is working correctly it will open with the key even if the vacuum lock is "on." It's a little tricky to get it open with the key, requiring a combination of pushing and turning. If nothing else works, I would try a locksmith before drilling it out.

I spent about 4 hours today chasing down a vacuum leak in my 300D, turned out to be the fuel door lock, again.

With a key all you do is: insert key, turn counterclockwise till it stops, then push in with the key held in that position, and it should pop right open, if not, something else is wrong with the lock mechanism.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Well, I don't know if the '83 is the same as the '80, I'm fairly certain it is though. If so, you have the box on the rear decklid behind the rear seat for a first aid kit, it is held in by two phillips screws, then the front edge comes up and pull forward to release the tabs in the back edge, this gives you roughly a 1' hole to the trunk (over the fuel tank), you can now fish a coat hanger down in there and with a flashlight find the 6" black plastic cover near the center of the rear trunk wall, by the latch, hook it near the top and it'll pop right off, behind that is the vacuum chamber for the trunk latch, and also a golden colored metal tab,(sits springloaded on the vacuum operated linkage) that can be pulled toward the left side of the car and will release the trunk. this tab is a direct rod to the inside end of the keylock release, I think was put there in case you got locked in your trunk by badguys. (Good for everyone to know). This was how I got mine open, as I am still waiting for my keys to come in. (The P.O. lost them...DOH!)
-Chris

Not if you only have the valet key like in my case.
I have a wagon and luckly it is unlocked but I can't turn
the key any direction. It goes in but that is all.

You can how ever go to your mb dealer and order the correct
key.
You'll need to prove that you're the owner and provided them
with the vin.

I forgot how long it takes to get but a couple a weeks should be
expected.

Louis.

Had the same problem my 83 300D. I found if I inserted the key and turn it to the left while ever so slightly pulling back on the key and pushing in the button, the latch let go. Still takes me 2-3 trys but it works for me. (vacuum locks aren't working this car)
Gene

A couple of days is closer. They're quick about getting you keys.

I had two Valet keys also. I went to a locksmith and had a new key cut from the valet key to a master blank. Unfortunatly due to excessive wear on the valet key (and possably a poor copy at the locksmith) it works very stiffly but it did allow me to open the glove box and trunk.

By the way, probably due to tumbler wear, the dealership key only worked in the ignition, not in ANY of the other locks.

__________________
Ron Schroeder
'85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
'83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980:
'83 Mercedes 240D
'80 Audi 4000D
'83 ISUZU Pup
'70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel
'76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel
'86 Golf
Several diesel generators
All with 2 tank WVO conversion
LI NY

I broke down and smashed the right tail light. loosened the bolts on the trunk mount bracket on the left side accessed through the med kit hole, and the right through the broken taillight. i loosened the lock mechanism. I pushed the trunk lid foreward just enough to get the latch to release. I'm sure glad I didnt pry anymore I think I was about to break something inside the lock. Thats typical of me to have a problem like this. Two months with a wingnut stuck in my trunk latch. Haha!:
By the way the best way to smash the taillight out without damaging things is to place a length of 2 by 4 over the lense and hit with a mallet.
Thanks to everyone all for the help,and to the sponsors of the forum which I am very grateful to. I do appolagise for not replying for so long. I have had a busy summer trying to work,play and fix up the Benz.