Hi I ran into trunk lock problems today on my 1984 300sd. I used the hammer the lock button method to get it open. It seems the problem was a electrical solinoid that keeps the button from moving burned up. Does anyone know what controls this? Also there is a cable also connected to the same latch as the solinoid. I suspected it was a manual overide but I can't figure out were it goes. Does anyone know anything about these two parts? For now I justed disconnected the solinoid and am relying on the vacuum system to lock the truck. I need to rig something up in case that fail's. I really don't want to have to drill on my car as some have had to do.

Believe the cable that is also connected to the latch is indeed a manual overide and that it goes into the rear seat area of the cabin. Think that you need to remove the seat bottom to find the pull handle.

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

kotarbi,

The electric actuator is a redundant lock associated with the factory alarm.

Check my posts in this thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=80392&page=2&pp=20&highlight=electric+lock+trunk

The manual override is a wire "loop" handle at the edge/under rear seat, driver's side. Two man operation. Directions are in the owner's manual. Good luck.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Thanks for the info!

Is there a cable on the 123 also? I have never looked but have wondered how to open the trunk if the vacuum were to fail when the trunk was in the locked position.

Yes, there is. Like on the 126, the cable goes to the rear seat area. On my car, it was under the cushion, on the driver's side.

However, unless you have a factory alarm or don't have a "master" key, there shouldn't ever be a time that you can't open the truck with the key unless the lock mechanism messes up.

I actually had to use the cable once, when the factory alarm failed and locked my trunk. Came in REAL handy, believe me...

Does this apply to all years of the 123 Chassis or was this added after some year of production, like so many other items on our cars?

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

None of my 123s have a cable to the trunk.

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

There is no mention of it in the 123 owners manual and besides 123's are vacuum locks and when vacuum fails you trunk comes unlocked, unless you manual lock it with a key. Hence no need for release cable, and why none is used on 123 cars.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

Tell that to my wifes car. The vacuum lock system is currently disconnected due to a leak I don't have time to track down. I've even unplugged the vacuum lines from the trunk lock. But it insists on re-locking itself.

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

I have the same problem with mine. The trunk is locked, the key won't turn the lock and I can't open it. Is there a solution???

The trunk has to be locked manually with key if vacuum fails. I thought I had same problem when I first got my 240D, but the ignition cylinder & key had been replaced by non matching set and once I found the right key I could lock and unlock the trunk. Also the lock has a funny sequence for turning befor it unlocks.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.