The trunk of the 83 240D I just bought wouldn't open with key or vacuum. This is the second 123 trunk that I had to break into. The first was my 83 300D. This time I took photos.

Pic below shows position of the "tool", which happens to be a piece of bamboo. You can use a furring strip or a broom handle. Furring strip is actually better because it's flat. That's what I used the first time on the 300D where the cover was already off. I just shaped the furring strip so it could get a "bite", didn't cut a slot and it worked fine.



Pic below shows the hook to pop the plastic cover for the lock mechanism.
It is made from a coat hanger bent to shape and the point sharpened and bent to get under the cover to pop it off. You'll need a flashlight to see. Work after the sun goes down.


Pic below shows detail of the tool with a slot cut into it to hook onto the vacuum lock actuator rod.



Pic below shows how the tool should sit. Note the vacuum lock actuator rod (with the spring) in the mechanism has to be attached for this to work.
Standing outside the door you have to pull the tool toward you thus pushing the lock rod toward the fuel filler while an assistant pushes on the lock button to open. I didn't have anyone to help and used a bungee cord to leverage the tool.

Try it! Better than drilling the lock out.

Attached Thumbnails

       

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Whoa, nice Macgyver move

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-Dan
1983 240D AT, 163K running on VO, "The Patience Tester"

Damn, that's totally McGuiver status...and I thought I was a hot shot for breaking into my 300d with just a shoelace.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

Getting into locked cars is fun. I love the challenge to improvise with whatever resources I have nearby at the moment. There has not been a car I have not been able to get into. NOTE: These are my own cars.

So how did you use the shoe lace?

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Im glad I live in the city. Any car of mine I've been locked out of...
It usually takes about 5 minutes before someone walks by who is very
apt at breaking into a car. I've learned a multitude of techneques for
my previous gassers. Thanks for the info! Noone around here knows how to get into my w123- minus breaking a window...

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OBK #32
1985 300D Turbo (15 gal Greasecar kit installed)
(258,900+mi.) Thanks- Tachometer Fixed. Middle Vents Fixed. Transmission- 1000% better shifting.
Vac leaks- Fixed, Brakes replaced, Steering Box replaced, .... Information Rules.

That's one advantage living in the city eh?

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Cool, I've drilled a couple out, your way looks more better, Thanks. Why wouldn't the trunk open with the key in the first place?

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I have seen a lot of MBs that wouldn't open the trunk unless you turned the key all of the way CCW and hold the key at that 45 degree position while you push in the lock.

Some times the vacuum diaphram pushes the lock mechanism back to the lock position even if the key is horizontal.

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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

On the 300D, there were lot's of gunk in the lock mechanism. The key turned but pushing in the button at different angles did not open the trunk. The vacuum element was fine but because of the gunk, the rod did not move far enough to engage. I came very close to drilling but was able to get in via the first aid kit. I took the lock out, cleaned and lubed and it has been working fine with key and vacuum ever since.

On the 240D the key would not turn the lock and there is no movement in the vacuum lock. I have not looked into why.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

All of our cars make you turn it 45 deg counter clockwise then push in the button.....isn't that how its supposed to work?

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-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)

On all of mine, you have to turn the key 45 degrees beyond horizontal and if you turn it back to horizontal and remove it, the trunk stays unlocked but you can open it without the key with just the push button. The Vacuum lock has never worked in either of my MB's.

__________________
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 was at the beach and when I was walking out on the jetty I dropped my (only) key. I heard it bounce through the rocks for a few seconds before splashing into the water. conveniently I had my wallet (and AAA) card in my car. I took one of my shoe laces and made a noose on one end. After about 5 minutes of "fishing" I was able to lasso the lock plunger and pull it up. Man, I felt like a bad ass.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

Sounds like a job for the MacGyver Multitool...

http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/18/the-macgyver-multitool/

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1990 300D - 171K miles
http://nrl073.googlepages.com/DSCN66...646-medium.jpg http://nrl073.googlepages.com/DSCN66...654-medium.jpg

I think I've fixed the trunk lock on the 240D. I sprayed the lock cyl with lots of contact cleaner mucho gunk came out. Worked the key in and out then more cleaner and eventually the key works. I took the vacuum element out and found the unlock nipple broken off and the vac line plugged with a nail. The lock portion is fine and was working. Since I did not have a replacement vac element. I tried a McGyver repair on the broken one.

I used a 3/4 " length of steel brake line, cut a 1/8" length of external thread on one end, enlarged the hole left by the broken nipple on the vac elementwith a drill bit and a pin vise and self tapped the brake line into it, put a drop of crazy glue to give it a better seal. Installed it and the trunk lock now works like a charm. It remains to be seen how well the repaired nipple will seal.
[QUOTE=funola;1565829]On the 300D, there were lot's of gunk in the lock mechanism. The key turned but pushing in the button at different angles did not open the trunk. The vacuum

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

great.......now if only the cover was not on the w126 lock mechanizm

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project