The pull cord trick requires another person to manipulate the
Lock while another has tension o the wife. It's in the manual
I think.

Thanks.
Had the wife help just a little while ago and no dice with that technique.

Are there any tricks to getting the key to go in? It used to go in fine (it just didnt do anything). Yesterday I was moving it from horizontal to vertical and back. Today I can't get the key past halfway in.
Ive sprayed silicone and then brake cleaner. I guess graphite is the next thing to try.

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84 300SD 274K
38K miles on flatplate heat exchanger and various diesel/veg blends. prior to that 4K miles on unheated veggie blends with kero and DinoD.