1984 300SD (W126) trunk won't open even with the key - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Johnt49 · #16 05-06-2012, 10:49 AM

Don't know if these pics will help or not they're from my '82 SD. You can see the linkage going to the actuator to the right of the opening. These were taken looking toward the rear of the car from inside the trunk. Do you have about 1/4" of free travel in the button & then feel it get a little harder to push as it contacts the latch mechanism, or does it go all the way in with no resistance? If you feel it contact the mechanism it could be working properly but the lid is stuck on the rubber seal. If that's the case you'll just have to lift with enough force to free the lid.

funola · #17 05-06-2012, 12:00 PM

The pics Johnt49 provided looks like it is the same mechanism as the W123's so the link Yak provided with my method should work if you have a first aid kit opening in the same location.

Johnt49 · #18 05-06-2012, 01:24 PM

No way you're going to get it open by going through the first aid or tool compartments. You've got the trunk liner & a hard plastic cover over the opening to get through before you can move the actuator.

funola · #19 05-06-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnt49

No way you're going to get it open by going through the first aid or tool compartments. You've got the trunk liner & a hard plastic cover over the opening to get through before you can move the actuator.

Trunk liner? Got a pic? How is it held in? The hard plastic cover can be easily removed with a special tool, then it's cakewalk from there.

ottomatic · #20 05-07-2012, 06:12 AM

My 95 sat for 5 years. The trunk seal had welded itself to the trunk lid due to the Fl. heat. That could be your problem I had to pry it open . Replaced seal with one from Peach.

SD Blue · #21 05-07-2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I just bought a 300SD, and the seller said the trunk won't open. She has some items inside and would like them back. I can insert the key and turn the cylinder to the left and push in, and nothing. Pushing the lock in at any position will do nothing. The only way I can think of to get in is to bust out the tail light, and replace it once I have gained entry and the latch fixed. Any ideas?

Before trying all of the destructive methods, try reconnecting the alarm control unit and see if that enables you to unlock the trunk. In 84, the factory-installed alarm was standard on the W126 models.

PM message sent.

whunter · #22 05-07-2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I just bought a 300SD, and the seller said the trunk won't open. She has some items inside and would like them back. I can insert the key and turn the cylinder to the left and push in, and nothing. Pushing the lock in at any position will do nothing. The only way I can think of to get in is to bust out the tail light, and replace it once I have gained entry and the latch fixed. Any ideas?

Trunk Lock Opening Links
Trunk Lock Opening Links - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

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maska · #23 05-07-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Trunk Lock Opening Links
Trunk Lock Opening Links - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

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Leave it Parked overnight, in a dark Street ! some low life will have it open in 10 secs !

ROLLGUY · #24 05-07-2012, 09:13 PM

Yes the cylinder turns, and she was able to get in the trunk previously. I got a look at my friends 126 trunk, and there is a solid carpeted panel across the entire trunk. I think the best way to get the trunk open is to bust out the tail light, and loosen the two bolts that hold the strike plate on. Either way, accessing the latch itself would not be possible if the carpeted panel is intact. The plastic trunk sill plate is screwed in, and it holds the panel in place.

SD Blue · #25 05-07-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Yes the cylinder turns, and she was able to get in the trunk previously. I got a look at my friends 126 trunk, and there is a solid carpeted panel across the entire trunk. I think the best way to get the trunk open is to bust out the tail light, and loosen the two bolts that hold the strike plate on. Either way, accessing the latch itself would not be possible if the carpeted panel is intact. The plastic trunk sill plate is screwed in, and it holds the panel in place.

Believe me the W126 trunk lock, with the alarm system, is significantly different from the W123. If the alarm system has the trunk locked, you will be doing a lot of destruction for nothing. Yes, if the alarm system has locked the trunk, the key will turn and the button will push but nothing releases. Been there and done this.

Please read your private message!

whunter · #26 05-08-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

Believe me the W126 trunk lock, with the alarm system, is significantly different from the W123. If the alarm system has the trunk locked, you will be doing a lot of destruction for nothing. Yes, if the alarm system has locked the trunk, the key will turn and the button will push but nothing releases. Been there and done this.

Please read your private message!

Factory Alarm System Issues
Factory Alarm System Issues - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

ROLLGUY · #27 06-05-2012, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

Believe me the W126 trunk lock, with the alarm system, is significantly different from the W123. If the alarm system has the trunk locked, you will be doing a lot of destruction for nothing. Yes, if the alarm system has locked the trunk, the key will turn and the button will push but nothing releases. Been there and done this.

Come to find out, this would be very good advice 99% of the time. However, I will describe how this car ended up being the 1%

I ended up finding the emergency release cable in the bundle of wires/hoses under the rear seat on the driver side. I pulled it as far out as I could (without breaking it), and the trunk still would not open. I decided that the only way I was going to get the trunk open was to remove (drill,break, hammer out etc.) the tail light. I had a pair of good used lights to choose from:

Because I am right handed, I chose to remove the right side in order to loosen the bolts holding the strike plate on.
The first thing I did was to use a hole saw to cut a hole in order to have something to grab with pliers. I drilled right behind the cam locks that hold the bulb plate so I would be able to turn the cams that hold it on the lens:

I broke out enough plastic in order to get an 8mm nut driver inside to remove the 6 nuts holding the assembly on:

I wanted to remove the entire tail light so I would not have to work with sharp plastic cutting my arm, but I got cut anyway!

Tail light removed ready to loosen the strike plate:

I loosened both bolts by feel with a 10mm wrench and got the trunk open:

As it turned out, I had to push really hard on the mechanism that the cable connects to (I would have broken the emergency cable if I pulled it hard enough to move the mechanism). That freed up the lock to be able to push in the latch. Once I figured it out, I installed the strike and closed the trunk. An easy push of the lock popped the trunk open.
I was hoping it would not come to this, but I am glad I had a spare light, and was able to find out the problem. It has been 2 months since I got the car, and now I can bring all the stuff that was in the trunk to the previous owner! Thank you all for your suggestions.....Rich

Mirage · #28 05-14-2018, 10:11 PM

Well when you found the trunk release cable your were half way there. You need to have someone hold it while you press the trunk button or close the back door on it to keep it taught and then press the trunk button.