Hi Guys,

Ahhh..... the FUN of living in Minneapolis!!

Fot the last few days now I have not been able to get my trunk open on my '01 E430, Not by remote, not by switch, and not even by key!!!!

Has anyone else experienced this? If so are there any tricks for getting it open? I am assuming the "Trunk Vacuum Element" is frozen. I say that because normally you at least hear a couple of sounds when you open the trunk, PSE etc, but currently you don't hear ANYTHING but I do not see how that would be the PSE itself, or.. could it?

I guess the real puzzler is even if the vacuum system is incapacitated shouldn't I be able to open it with the key? Mind you I can only even get the key into the lock after pouring a couple of gallons of hot water over the outside of the lock cylinder. Please help!!

Thanks.

Hairdryer or heat gun.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

2006 e350 19k
battery in trunk no power, used the long metal key in key fob, side
the release end of key fob, pull out and push in and turn and pull
the trunk open, replace the main battery under trunk mat. No 2
battery is in engine right side rear under a/c filter, no reset radio
code install a 8 year 3 year free replacement new battery
the 2001 e320 have a back up long metal key in the key fob also same, battery is under rear seat have to reset radio code

Well Guys I decided to go to battle with the problem yesterday afternoon and this time I WON!!!

First I took about a gallon of hot water out with me, The seal around the trunk I already knew was a major culprit. So I poured the water around the perimeter of the trunk and then a bunch over the lock to heat it up some so I could get the key in. It was too windy out to use the lighter trick. Got the key in turned to left and pushed in and pulled up hard, got the trunk open!

NEXT... started investigating what could be causing the problem with the remote function, well in looking everything over I noticed the the switch that senses the opened or closed status of the lid was stuck in the closed position.
So for starters I cleaned up the sliding portion of the switch so it moved up and down like its supposed to.

WELL.... that seemed to be a major player in the problem. First obvious sign was my trunk light started working again, whew hewww!!!!! And my alarm went off as well. And sure enough I closed the trunk, locked everything with my remote, unlocked with my remote and pushed the lock on the trunk and it worked!! then I used the trunk button on the remote and it worked! Then I used the button in the car and it worked!!!

SO, I guess I taught myself a little something there and persistence paid off.
That little sliding switch just to the left of the trunk latch controls a lot more than just the light!!

Silicone spray wiped on the door and trunk gaskets will help.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

"Silicone spray wiped on the door and trunk gaskets will help."

Yes, it will help considerably.

-tp