Hi all,
The Hatch lock on my W123 wagon has always been a little cranky. Anyway, I always managed to get it open with the key, and lock it with the key.

Today something happened when I opened it (with the key). When I went to shut it, the rotating latch wouldn't close on the latch fixed to the floor. I drove home ok with the door "loose". Then at home I fooled around with the key and couldn't get the rotating latch to do anything. Anyway, at some point I shut the door and the rotating latch closed on the latch on the floor and now I can't get the door opened. My door does not have an inside handle.

Any tips on how to (1) get the door open again, and (2) how to repair the problem?

The service manual is next to useless in this case, gives no idea how the latch and lock mechanisms work, how to troubleshoot, etc.

By the way, rust and corrosion are NOT an issue in my latch mechanism, and I lubricated it generously last time I had issues with it some years ago.

And also, the vacuum lock assembly has not been attached and has not worked since before I acquired the car many years ago.

Thanks a lot.

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K