HELP! 1984 300D Trunk lid won't lock shut!

[HuskyMan]

Took the car for a test drive around the block; came back and the trunk lid will not lock and stay closed. I sprayed the lock mechanism with lock lubricant spray, still no joy.

When I open and close the door locks with the key I can hear the trunk lock mechanism actuate. Any ideas? Do I need to adjust the trunk locking mechanism?

[MBeige]

If the latch originally had spacers or washers and they came off, it's possible the latch has become "too short" and if you look at the rubber buffers there is no adjustment.

The only time my trunk would not close properly is when a screw got lodged in the mechanism (by the trunk ledge).

The latch also has to be positioned rearward enough so the mechanism would catch. If it's too forward, the lid won't close properly.

[HuskyMan]

Originally Posted by MBeige

If the latch originally had spacers or washers and they came off, it's possible the latch has become "too short" and if you look at the rubber buffers there is no adjustment.

The only time my trunk would not close properly is when a screw got lodged in the mechanism (by the trunk ledge).

The latch also has to be positioned rearward enough so the mechanism would catch. If it's too forward, the lid won't close properly.

Thank you for the feedback; it turned out to be exactly the problem stated in the first paragraph. I carefully examined the latch and it appears a black rubber "spacer" had become compressed after years of use.

I had some gasket material lying around so I took the latch off the trunk lid and laid it on the gasket material and drew an outline with a pencil. I then cut out the gasket and punched two holes where the bolts go using an ice pick. One gasket wasn't quite enough so I ended up making a second gasket which got the job done.

Much appreciation for your help!

[HuskyMan]

The latch mounted in the trunk lid is adjustable via two bolts. I've tried adjusting it up, back, left and right and still no joy. I'm thinking of climbing into the trunk with a flashlight and have a friend shut and open the lid so that I can see what is going on.......

I can remove the latch mounted in the trunk lid and when placed into the locking mechanism, it LOCKS!! So.....I know it works, problem is what position to tighten it down to? I'm thinking of using modeling clay by placing the modeling clay on the top of the trunk lid and then close the trunk lid slowly down onto the removed latch. That should show where to reattach the trunk lid latch.