Cannot Open Trunk - I would like to kill this car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ncamin · #1 06-08-2009, 09:50 PM

I hate my car. Every single annoying thing goes wrong. It's great.
A week after I bought my 1990 190E the truck won't open. Two years later, I need to change the tail light. Please help. I have no idea and don't know anything about cars. All the other locks work and it sounds like it unlocks when I lock/unlock the door but I don't hear anything when I try to open it in the back. I can hear a motor or something turn using the key on the door but the key will just turn back and forth and push in when I use the key on the trunk.
I'm babbling, tired and frustrated.
Thanks for any advise.
Natalie

Skid Row Joe · #2 06-08-2009, 09:54 PM

Punch the whole lock assembly out with a bit and hammer......that'll get it open.

pawoSD · #3 06-08-2009, 10:51 PM

To unlock a mercedes trunk with the key you need to put the key in, turn it counter clockwise, hold it that way, and push the button in with the key.

You've not opened the trunk in 2 years?

Jim B. · #4 06-09-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncamin

I hate my car. Every single annoying thing goes wrong. It's great.
A week after I bought my 1990 190E the truck won't open. Two years later, I need to change the tail light. Please help. I have no idea and don't know anything about cars. All the other locks work and it sounds like it unlocks when I lock/unlock the door but I don't hear anything when I try to open it in the back. I can hear a motor or something turn using the key on the door but the key will just turn back and forth and push in when I use the key on the trunk.
I'm babbling, tired and frustrated.
Thanks for any advise.
Natalie

Read the owner's manual WRT the key, both the regular one and the valet one for the instructions as how opening the trunk works.

I don't know from what you said whether the tail light lens is smashed, or just a bulb is out. It is a straightforward repair.

The 1990 W201 series 190E is a basically good looking, safe and reliable, very well built, durable car of high quality. They were standard european taxicabs, and put together by Mercedes Benz to the highest standards of build quality possible. They are mechanic friendly too, easy to work on, and not yet overloaded with computers and sensors like the models of today.

It can be loved and kept up, good luck.

ehopkins · #5 06-09-2009, 02:18 AM

I had this problem with my 92 300SE just a couple weeks ago. I was told to put the key in and turn the key to the left a little at a time until you find the sweet spot. After the third try it popped right open. Hope this works for you.

rocky raccoon · #6 06-09-2009, 05:53 AM

Natalie:
Before you get physical ... I had a similar problem on my 560SL and many solutions were offered. A non-invasive one worked. See my thread (Trunk Lock) in the SL Forum about a month ago. A forum search will offer a lot of experience from others also.

Happy Hunting, Rocky Raccoon

spree17 · #7 06-09-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

Natalie:
Before you get physical ... I had a similar problem on my 560SL and many solutions were offered. A non-invasive one worked. See my thread (Trunk Lock) in the SL Forum about a month ago. A forum search will offer a lot of experience from others also.

Happy Hunting, Rocky Raccoon

Here is the link to his thread. I hope it helps.

Trunk Lock

babymog · #8 06-09-2009, 09:58 PM

If you have a broken tail-lamp, use the tail-lamp opening to reach around and open the trunk.

irish_flu · #9 06-10-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncamin

I hate my car. Every single annoying thing goes wrong. It's great.
A week after I bought my 1990 190E the truck won't open. Two years later, I need to change the tail light. Please help. I have no idea and don't know anything about cars. All the other locks work and it sounds like it unlocks when I lock/unlock the door but I don't hear anything when I try to open it in the back. I can hear a motor or something turn using the key on the door but the key will just turn back and forth and push in when I use the key on the trunk.
I'm babbling, tired and frustrated.
Thanks for any advise.
Natalie

Any chance you are using a "valet key"? I have a key (I don't have it on me right now, but I think it has a red dot on it) meant to hand off to a parking valet. It will open the doors and start the car, but it won't open the trunk (for security purposes).

Otherwise, you ought to be able to get a locksmith to pop it and re-key it properly. I had it done on a Ford several years ago, and I don't remember it being expensive.

spree17 · #10 06-10-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish_flu

Any chance you are using a "valet key"? I have a key (I don't have it on me right now, but I think it has a red dot on it) meant to hand off to a parking valet. It will open the doors and start the car, but it won't open the trunk (for security purposes).

That is a very good question.

ingmar55555 · #11 06-10-2009, 11:34 AM

Natalie,

Most of the time trunks are not opened with keys, since they are automatically locked, so the locks get stuck. The way to open the trunk is to remove the hose from the pump that activates the lock by pressure. Under the rear seat at the right hand site this pump is found. There are two latches underneath the seat that you need to press to remove it at the corners. When you see the pump there are some hoses connected to it...one of them states "heckklap" =trunk in German. Simply remove the hose and use a compressor to put some pressure on it...fi. at a gasstation.
The compessor looks like this (at least on my W210).

Cheers,
Ingmar