1991 560 SEL Trunk won't open !!
 

Hey guys

Vehicle is a 1991 560 SEL and I can't seem to get the trunk open. It worked perfectly until last night. I have tried a few things that I read on
here this morning but with no luck.

Is there a emergency release for this model?

It was working fine and now nothing. I can turn it and the button goes in but nothing happens.


Any ideas??

Thanks

No emergency release..My advice, soak the tumbler w/ WD 40/screw loose etc, etc.. and keep fiddling. Once it's open don't lock it again and order yourself up a new trunk tumbler from your local dealer.

Jonathan

Thanks I will try that.

I am surprised that there is not an emergency release but maybe 1991 was still early for that.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. I went to one shop yesterday and the guy looked at it for about 10 minutes and said he wanted the car for 2 days and $350 to fix it. I am hoping to avoid $350 if possible.

thanks again

I don't understand. What do you mean by 'I can't seem to get the trunk open?'

You turn the key, push in the button and you can't lift the lid? You unlock the drivers door and the trunk lock mechanism won't unlock by the vacuum pump?

First thing I'd do is have a friend lock and unlock the doors, and see if you can hear the trunk mechanism unlocking/locking.

If you can hear it going, that might tell you that it's the tumbler or the "latch". If you don't hear it go, then it sounds like the lock (or the vacuum system) might be the problem.

See this article for a possible cause. http://home.comcast.net/~chwilka/secondary_trunk_bolt_lock.htm

I had this problem on my 300se once. If the key turns and the button goes in then I think it is the latch to the side of the key.
Turn the key and push on the trunk, or have someone lock and unlock the doors while you push down on the back of the trunk just to the left of the keyhole.
Thats what worked for me anyway. Then I cleaned up the latch and it worked fine from then on.

From the trunk I can lock and unlock the doors. However, The trunk lid will not come up.

I think I feel and hear it pop a little and give a little on the drivers side of the lid but it doesnt raise up.

I have no trouble inserting the key, pushing in or turning leftt or right.

I tried this or something like this but am going to try again.
Did you have to push really hard ??? A little nervous about doing
damage.
Thanks

Good stuff there. Thanks... if I get it open this will really help.
Interesting about the bolt sliding freely and raising the left side off the car.
Makes sense if the bolt isn't somehow jammed.

You don't have to push really hard. I just looked at that write-up that is really good. You just want to let that bolt retract. So you can even lift and push. The trunk lid may have to go up or down.

By lock and unlock the doors do you mean from the trunk or from the door?

From the doors or trunk. You want to activate the bolt that is holding the trunk closed. As it is trying to retract move the lid around.