I would like to ask if anyone can help with taking out the locking mechanism for the rear hatch of an 83 300TD. My Haynes manual doesn't show it and I don't want to just go in there and start taking stuff out and making more of a mess. My rear hatch lock works but doesn't push all the way to unlock it. If anyone has a cd manual and could send the steps on taking out the mechanism, your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

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96 Legacy LSi wagon
92 Mitsu Expo
95 525iT
1983 300TD clackclackclack sold
1972 Toyota Corolla wagon TE28 sold
1991 Galant VR4 pshhhhh non-op
1989 Montero RS pop's ride

Dear Wagonboy
are you having trouble with your lock can you open the rear door ?
Have you tried turning the key and depressing at the same time it then activates the lock?
I have found that this works try it B4 you take any locks out
Does the lock work with the central locking? Yes or no?
let me know how you go.
kind regards
BB

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BB
W123 280Te 1982 Modified & still going
W210 190E 1990 (Wifes Car)
W116 350 se sold
W116 280 se sold

WagonBoy,

If I read your question right your lock works fine except when you try to unlock the hatch from the outside with the key. BB is right, if you try pushing in slightly as you turn the key it should catch and unlock the hatch. If that works either just can keep doing that trick or fix it. To fix it you can get access to the locking mechanism by removing the interior hatch panel, it comes right off by removing a few screws, start at the base (bottom) of the hatch. You should find that the lock itself is fine but that the metal tab that the lock turns to actually trip the unlock mechanism has been bent. Mine got bent when someone was working the power locks while someone else was trying to open the hatch. You can usually tinker with this a bit to carefully bend it back in order to make it work. When I did it I found no disassembly of the lock was required, just a pair of needlenose pliers and a steady hand. Bend it back just a little bit at a time and keep testing it until it catches again. Good luck.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

Bb and Lrg thanks for the reply. The lock does not work with the other locks before. I wanted to take out the mechanism to clean it real good as the actuator was working but not pushing it out all the way. I sprayed it with brake cleaner and then sprayed it with pb blaster and now it works. Thanks again.
The plastic thingy that hooks on to the actuator is bent. I didn't want to break it by bending it back. I drilled holes that are farther from the 2 that hold the actuator to give the actuator more pull. I hope I didn't confuse you guys with my explanation.

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96 Legacy LSi wagon
92 Mitsu Expo
95 525iT
1983 300TD clackclackclack sold
1972 Toyota Corolla wagon TE28 sold
1991 Galant VR4 pshhhhh non-op
1989 Montero RS pop's ride