The trunk lid on my 1998 E320 is stuck shut with the plastic liner removed for bumper repair (excellent body repair neighbor). We are both stumped.

The electronic key will not open it. The manual key that worked the night before won't even go in the trunk keyhole. The lift-up switch inside is showing light on for trunk open.

Hummm...

How about that! The excellent body repair guy really is excellent.
He simply switched the trunk and gas cover door pneumatic lines and the trunk opened with the push of a button. My guess is that with the liner out, the trunk sensor switch said, "trunk open - no need to send air here."
As for the trunk key tumbler: It is broken and needs to be replaced.

Are you ready to try this, I know it sounds crazy, but this will probably work. Pull I htink it is #17 fuse out from under the seat, and then put it back in. I think it's that one. I had a customer lock his keys in the trunk of his 98, and that popped the trunk.