my central locking system works. this isnt a vacuum problem. the issue is the key was turned in the lock to vertical, effectively "locking" the trunk. now the key will not turn back to horizontal so that it will be unlocked. it has no problem pushing in and out-- the key simply will not turn. in fact i bent a key beyond use with the amount of pressure i put on it. i tried the technique of going through the first aid box and pushing the lever to the left... didnt work. i tried the "brute force" method with someone pulling up on the lid while i smashed the lock with a 2x4 and hammer.. NOTHING.

how easy is it to smash the taillight and go in that way? thats pretty much all i've got left at this point.

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

When you went insided by way of the First Aid Box hole did what you could see look like in the Pic? (This is Mine and I have no Alarm System. The ones with the Alarm System have more stuff in that hole.)

If your Car has the Factory Alarm System on it the Trunk Lock is different and there is a Pull Cable somwhere at the Bottom of the rear Seat.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Try some light oil (like LPS-1) in the lock cylinder.

tried oil in the cylinder multiple times over the course of a few days... let it sit overnight...drove over a bumpy road, etc.

its an 81. no factory alarm or emergency pull cable :/

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

i have had to do it before ,
get a flat pri bar , and you can pry up the trunk enough to get a 10mm on the 2 bolts that hold the lock latch on .. turn them till they fall out and it will open .
you need to use a hammer to bend the part that it bolts to back into shape to get the truck to seal shut ..

this is a last resort method ........ but it works without breaking anything or causing outside dents or damage

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current fleet
Ford f350 dully 7.3L 1990 . ats turbo , zf5
Mazda 4x4 b2600 with 617 20-26 mpg
Past fleet
1983 240D w123 232k 25-30 MPG
1984 Ford f250,1979 ford 150 300-6 (sold@ 251K )
81 300D, 79 240D , 2x 76 300D ,74 240D , 2x 89 grand prix , 85 grand fury , and several other fords

Custom machine shop work ..

hmm.. i dont have a pry bar like that, and my tools are locked in the trunk!

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

Don't do the pry bar thing. I swear I post this a million times but...

Put the key in and bump the sheet metal to the left or right of the lock tumbler with a post (wrap the end with a towel to protec the car) and have a helper turn the key and pull up as you thump.

I noticed you bashed the lock with a 2x4, clearly you were doing it wrong.

its true, it works on the first try !!!

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-Justin

I believe in extreme automotive perfection whenever possible.......there is no such thing as "It doesn't matter" !!!

1985 300 CDT - 287k miles

1980 240 D - 340k miles

With extras !!

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http://SWFLBenzClub.com

i tried that too, actually. i think the problem is the key is stuck vertical. theres no way to turn it horizontal, or CCW past horizontal. something must be stuck down in there...

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

apparently it might be possible to drill into the black cover, directly to the right of the button, and to get in with a screwdriver,piece of metal, coat hanger.. that seems the least destructive... anyone have experience with that?

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

I know! I'll call the locksmith! CALL THE LOCKSMITH! call the locksmith! (further away) call the locksmith (even farther). - Robin Hood Men in Tights.

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1985 300d smoke silver/red int. (204k) <--Sadie the 80's Mercedes from Hades!
1985 300TD 587 cabernet red/155 Creme (143k)
2007 Ford Expedition EL (54k)

"Seems to me you bought a hobby... not a car" - My dad.

It's worth the $50. Plus, since you can still drive the car they will be glad you brought it to them.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Think it through...
All of the damage you're doing is going to cost more to fix than to call a lock smith...

Work Smarter, Not Harder

i surmise that what happened is that a lock tumbler (or three) stuck in the outboard position, preventing the cylinder from turning.

don't pay a locksmith to drill through anything!

the locksmith wants to just drill the entire thing out through the center. i'd rather drill a small hole to the side for free, and then determine whats wrong and go from there. i'm sure i can find that black cover at a yard, especially since its not actually diesel specific.

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles