Hello,

I've searched through the threads looking for solutions to this problem, but none have worked. I have a 1984 300d w123 and when I first got it the trunk would not open, but after using the emergency release cable under the back seat I was finally able to get it open. I removed the key mechanism so just the outside cylinder remained, and for a few months the trunk opened without issue. Recently it started to have problems, it would sometimes take a minute of pushing on the cylinder before it would finally open. The other day I moved my car, and then 15 minutes later I opened the trunk and put some stuff in it, and then went to start the car and the battery died. Now it will not open at all, and I have charged the battery back up and everything is otherwise fine. I have tried pulling on the release cable while someone depresses the button and pulls up on the lid, but it will not budge. You can push the button in all the way to where it is flush with the lock body.
I have tried locking and unlocking the front doors, and have done the above steps with all of the doors unlocked. I have opened the trunk before with the doors locked and the alarm went off, so I don't think that the trunk lock in the central vacuum lock system is the problem. Shouldn't the release cable bypass the vacuum lock anyway, or are they independent of eachother?
I have started to run out of options, and I need to get into the trunk, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. And if all civil options fail, what is the best way to get in causing the least amount of damage?

Thanks

I'm curious about your emergency release cable more than anything. I've never seen one in any of the three W123's I've owned.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

The cable is under the back seat on the driver's side, and when I pull on it the cylinder depresses all the way but the trunk doesn't open.

I've never seen one like that. Are there any vacuum lines running to the cylinder?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Search on here for a thread started by member funola - concerning the very same problem.

He rigged up a device (bamboo stick, IIRC?) and reached thru the first aid kit (removed) into the trunk and popped it open. Don't drill out the lock or break the tail-light until you absolutely have to (or have a spare tail-light on hand). Others have also suggest whacking the lock with a 2x4 and hammer - or vibrating the thing with a palm sander. Lots of info on here about this...

I was having issues with mine as well and did the same thing (reached in and unlocked it on my w123).....right now, the vac lock system is currently plugged with a golf tee, no more problems.

I don't have a trunk release either - haha....did you pull on your vac lines?


EDIT: member Howitzer has implanted all of us with this little tidbit - google is your friend.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=194141

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1981 240d - 135k - Arlene

I remember reading that thread. I was quite impressed about the ingenuity of our fellow members here.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Thanks for the help.
The cylinder that I was referring to is just the button that you press in on the lock, minus the key slot.

I have seen funola's thread, and I think I might try that later today. Because of my experience with it before, I was thinking that it probably wasn't a vacuum problem. It started out ocassionally not opening, but after a couple of minutes it would open. Could a vacuum issue account for that? I have tried to read up on the vacuum lock system, but I still do not quite understand how it works or how it would explain this problem. I was hoping that the release cable would account for a vacuum lock failure and release the trunk, but that strategy has been unsuccessful.

Jordan G - where did you plug the vac lock at?

Thanks again for the help

That under seat cable operated trunk release appears on some 1985 W123's which have the factory alarm system. Some have suggested this feature was added because the alarm system, if not operating correctly, can cause trunk unlocking problems. It has been mentioned that sometimes when using the cable release the trunk lid needs to be pressed down before lifting it while also holding in the push-button.

I have personally considered adding the cable to the 83 from an 85 parts car, but not sure it would be worth all the effort. The 83 is not "blessed" with an alarm system, while the 85 was.

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

My 84 has the alarm system but there is no cable. Could it be that I am overlooking it?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

It was pretty obvious after I removed the rear seat bottom cushion. Terminates on the driver's side, at least on our 85 parts car. It really may be an '85 only item, and then only when the factory alarm system was installed. Wouldn't be too surprising, as there are quite a few '85 only items just under the hood plus the tranny and diff ratio.......

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