I am looking at buying a 83 sd that has been sitting a while .Owner lost keys. I know how to handle the ignition switch but my concern is the trunk is locked.

Is there a way to open ?
Thx,
greazer2b

Mercedes can have the keys to you in a few days. All they need is a VIN and proof of ownership. Shouldn't cost more than $30.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Unless the ignition cylinder has been changed at some point to a generic key.

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1987 300E

Thanks ...I intend to do that but my imeadite concern is seeing the Trunk to make sure of moisture, etc,etc,

So is there a another way to open ? I haven't bought the car yet I am going to look at , and would like to know is the way to open or am I going to have to just roll the dice?
Thx,
greazer2b

The trunks all have about 3 drain grommets that exit under the car, so you won't find water sitting in there.

The trunk won't be easy to break into. You'd have to either drill out the lock or wack it off with a sledgehammer.

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1987 300E

if you can get into the car you could supply vacuum\pressure to the lock system and unlock it. You should be able to tap into a vacuum line under one of the front carpets I think....

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Yeah that should work, unless the trunk was locked with the key, but that seems unlikely.

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1987 300E

My 300D has a trunk release cable under the rear seat, driver's side. Check your manual. I don't know about 300SD.

Yes the owner did llock the trunk with the key?
greazer2b

There are a couple of non-destructive ways to do this. They involve the vacuum system. It's been 20-30 years since I did this (on a regular basis). The two best ways both involve intercepting & controling the vacuum system. You can intercept the vacuum line & cycle vacuum, or you can electrically intercept the vacuum pump & cycle the locks by cycling the pump. The service manual may be of help in locating the two systems, and the procedure for cycling the lock may be found under trouble shooting the system. Noodle around the internet & look for a 'how to' on installing an aftermarket alarm system (like clifford, viper, etc) that has door lock option. The major alarm companies published info on the intercepting the vac system electrically in order to tie into the factory door, trunk & gas cap cover locks. It's a little tricky to remove the sill plate and kick panel, and rear seat, but it's all in there. BTW the car will need a fresh/charged battery. Sometimes, & I mean sometimes, you can get lucky and cycle the lock system by disconnecting the battery and tapping the cable end on the post. (ventilate before doing this - you don't want to light off the hydrogen gas from the battery) Make sure you leave a door open/windows down while doing this - I've inadvertantly locked the doors while doing this. Good luck!

Another thought - If you don't want to pop for a key from MB, and you don't feel like dealing with the locking system, but you want to look around in the trunk, beg/borrow a video inspection scope (HFT has one for $69-$89), pop out one of the trunk plugs and insert scope & look around.

Good luck!

Is the trunk key slot horizontal or vertical?

Sixto
MB-less

The dealer I talked to required that I take the physically title to him along with my ID. That turns it into a 2hr trip and makes finding a decent deal a challenge.

The vacuum lines go into the passenger compartment under the rear seat. Applying vacuum or pressure to the correct hose may pop the trunk. My 84 is missing the big vac tank (or is it actuator) that mounts in the spare tire well. At least the plug changed between 84 and 85. There may be other changes to the system. The FSM has a lock system diagram.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Why doesnt the owner just order the keys? I mean, talk about lazy. Have you been able to start the car?

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1987 300E

The W126 has an emergency release cable under the rear seat, on the LH side. To get it to work, pulling the release and pressing the pushbutton on the trunk latch have to be done simultaneously.

However, if the car has a factory alarm system, there will be a couple more steps because there is a separate lock mechanism for this. This will require accessing the alarm controller under the front passenger floorboard. I can PM you with the instructions for unlocking the alarm trunk latch if needed.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )