Trunk lock problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dannyF · #1 08-14-2006, 01:13 AM

My car's trunk lock hasn't worked since before I owned it. Today I was messing with the vacuum locking system (which I will put another post out asking for help with) but in the process I used my mitivac to look for leaks and I inadvertently locked my trunk (with the vacuum from the mitivac) and the gas tank. I then shut the trunk lid unknowingly. Keep in mind, my vacuum pump is disconnected.

My trunk will not open with any of the keys I have (and never would). So now I cannot get into the trunk or into my diesel tank. I am hopeful that the lock can be picked by me (and I am inexperienced at such things) or by a lock smith. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed to open my trunk

?

Thanks.

Dan '84 300 SD

sixto · #2 08-14-2006, 03:07 AM

A locksmith is your best bet. The fuel tank is in the way of crawling in from the cabin.

Sixto
... stay tuned

Slcom1983 · #3 08-14-2006, 09:14 AM

You don't say what your car is, but 300D's have an emergency pull wire under the rear seat to unlock the truck. Just pop out your rear seat and on the driver's side you will see a metal wire running from the trucnk...hold off on that locksmith until you check this.

Stevo · #4 08-14-2006, 10:29 AM

[QUOTE=Slcom1983;1245722]300D's have an emergency pull wire under the rear seat to unlock the truck.

Really??, thats news too me.

danny
You tried applying vacuum to the "unlock" vacuum line that runs to the trunk, yes? (none to the tank flap)

WD8CDH · #5 08-14-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyF

My car's trunk lock hasn't worked since before I owned it.
My trunk will not open with any of the keys I have (and never would). So now I cannot get into the trunk or into my diesel tank. I am hopeful that the lock can be picked by me (and I am inexperienced at such things) or by a lock smith. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed to open my trunk

?

Thanks.

Dan '84 300 SD

Dan,

I may have the same problem with my 240D (except it is not locked yet).

None of the keys will even go all the way in the trunk or glove box locks.

What I found the problem to be is I only have Valet keys. Even the square headed one is a Valet key with a replacement plastic head. What I need to do is get a proper blank and cut the new blank from the best working key that I have. By the way, I had the dealer cut new keys and the new keys wouldn't work in ANY of the locks.

Stevo · #6 08-14-2006, 04:00 PM

I know this is not an answer, at least not to all of your trunk lock problems but.... even with a properly operating vacuum/lock system you can get nailed with "OS, cant open the trunk" Something like this..car is all locked, you go back to get something outa the trunk, opening it with the key, cant remember the exact sequence from there but I remember trying to open the trunk for 10 minutes in a hot parking lot. I open the trunk using the "central" system now. Point is after fooling with the system this "sequence" might be hindering you too. You should be able to "over ride" the vacuum system. At least if you have the right key

dannyF · #7 08-14-2006, 04:23 PM

Thanks for all of your input. I will remove the back seat and look for the wire. Since I have a 300 SD and not a 300 D it may not be there, but its worth a look.

Steve, in answer to your question, I pulled the vacuum lines from the 4-way rubber connector in the trunk of my car. That way I could look at where there might be leaks. One line went to the trunk lock. That one held a vacuum great (and it locked the trunk

), another went to the diesel tank lid (which also seemed to hold a vacuum and locked, although I may have locked that manually by pulling on a little latch in the trunk), a third went forward to the rear passenger door area (and did not seem to hold a vacuum - how to find that leak was going to be my question before all this happened) and the 4th went to the vacuum pump.

My auxiliary (trunk) vacuum pump is 'new.' A friend from this site sent it to me and it seemed to pump fine at first a few weeks ago when I installed it (although my central locking system still did nothing). Yesterday the pump did nothing, so I am concerned that I may have burned it out from overwork if it was trying to pump and I had a vacuum line pulled so it was just loose. Anyone know about that?

Anyway, first things first, I will look for the magic wire under the passenger seat. I'll also make sure that none of my keys work (a person at a local shop had a new one from Mercedes made after I bought the car - thought I tested it, but ....). Failing that I may have to bring the car to a locksmith (while I have enough diesel and WVO in the tanks, that is).

I'll report back on this saga and then I can get back to what my original questions were.

Dan '84 300 SD

Slcom1983 · #8 08-14-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD8CDH

Dan,

I may have the same problem with my 240D (except it is not locked yet).

None of the keys will even go all the way in the trunk or glove box locks.

What I found the problem to be is I only have Valet keys. Even the square headed one is a Valet key with a replacement plastic head. What I need to do is get a proper blank and cut the new blank from the best working key that I have. By the way, I had the dealer cut new keys and the new keys wouldn't work in ANY of the locks.

I have another theory (which I think happed to me). Both of my keys are square and should be master keys, but one fits the ignition and the other the truck/glovebox. I believe that the PO had a new ignition switch put in and with it a new key. However, since the trunk and glove box lock weren't changed out....voila! now you have 2 master keys that aren't "masters".

tangofox007 · #9 08-14-2006, 04:15 PM

If vacuum in the "unlock" line does not work, try a little pressure in the "lock circuit."

dannyF · #10 08-14-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

If vacuum in the "unlock" line does not work, try a little pressure in the "lock circuit."

I only saw 1 vacuum line going to the trunk lock area, so I am in the dark about how the vacuum lock and unlock circuits work and whether my car still has both. It certainly seemed to have a vacuum 'lock' though...

Fuzzball · #11 08-14-2006, 06:51 PM

I have an 84 SD also.

There is an electric part to the system that unlocks when the drivers door is unlocked with the key.

Then, you push the key into the trunk lock, turn it to the left, hold it in that position and push the button.

Works for mine.....my central system went crazy when my wheelwell flooded...just sits there locking and unlocking the locks until the battery runs down.

Give that a try.