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  #1  
Old 02-08-2006, 12:13 PM
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Help! Can't unlock trunk '82 W123

The vacuum locks haven't worked on my car in some time, but since it's a coupe it's not a big deal. But now the key won't turn in the trunk at all. I don't think it's a vacuum issue because the key just flat won't turn in the lock. I even ordered a new one as the old one was very worn, but the new one works great in the ignition and doors, just still won't turn in the trunk lock. Any ideas? Can the dealer open it for me or are they dependent on a locksmith too? If I DO get a locksmith to open it, what should I look for and avoid doing to repeat this?

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  #2  
Old 02-08-2006, 12:29 PM
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This can work on trunk locks also.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=122926
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  #3  
Old 02-08-2006, 12:51 PM
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Was the key used to lock the trunk?
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  #4  
Old 02-08-2006, 06:07 PM
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trunk won't unlock

Yes, the key was used to lock it. The latch has been problematic before, but usually I just wiggle it a bit and it opens. Sometimes pushing the button doesn't work when the lock is horizontal (unlocked) and I have to use the key to turn it all the way ccw, then push it; however, now it won't move from the vertical at all. It's not frozen, it's just not tripping the latch.
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Old 02-08-2006, 11:34 PM
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Don't know if this will help. But my 1981 W123 300D trunk
would not open and I thought that the key was not a master
(thought it was a Valet key). It is a brass key (that is bad).

It ended up that when I put the key in the lock, it was sort of
going in too far. I had to bring it back out just a little (like 1/32").
And carefully turn left to bring the button counter clockwise to push in and open.

It was really tricky at first. Just my 2 cents.
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  #6  
Old 02-09-2006, 05:56 PM
jmk
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I think I may know the answer

Since you said that you have had problems opening the trunk unlocked, I think I know what is wrong. I had this problem on my '73 450 SLC. What happened was the latch in the lock had worn to a point where pushing the button would not release the trunk's latch. I got the trunk open (I honestly do not remember how, that happened 20 years ago) and removed the lock mechanism. I drilled a hole in the latch, placed a screw in in the latch, and the lock would now contact and the trunk would open.
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Old 02-09-2006, 06:23 PM
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Got it! Thanks for the advice.

Last night I jiggled, wiggled, and pounded on it and finally got it to turn. I think the last post is correct, it's worn to the point where it will only work the latch when it's turned all the way ccw (past the horizontal; it won't open with the lock turned to the "unlock" position, only when turned about 45 degrees past that). Still don't know why the key wouldn't turn, but since it's effectively "locked" all the time I'm not going to turn it vertical again for awhile. I'll try removing the latch and seeing if I can figure out where the wear is.
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Old 02-10-2006, 08:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by useyourdagger
Last night I jiggled, wiggled, and pounded on it and finally got it to turn. I think the last post is correct, it's worn to the point where it will only work the latch when it's turned all the way ccw (past the horizontal; it won't open with the lock turned to the "unlock" position, only when turned about 45 degrees past that). Still don't know why the key wouldn't turn, but since it's effectively "locked" all the time I'm not going to turn it vertical again for awhile. I'll try removing the latch and seeing if I can figure out where the wear is.
When you examine the lock - there is a little plastic cog that is part of the locking device - this is what wears out.
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  #9  
Old 02-10-2006, 09:25 AM
jmk
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The last comment sounds good

On my '73, there was no plastic anything, so definately look into that. Do not forget to look to see if there is any metal to meal wear.

Now onto the locking mechanism. When you take it apart, lube the inside thouroghly. I find the spray version of "Prolong" to work well for locks, but any good general purpose lubricant may work.

If this does not work, then the jiggling that you had to do to open the trunk may have bent something in the cylinder or disloged a pin in the mechanism. If that is the case, you may have to have it serviced. I can't help you with that since I haven't had to repair a locking mechanism since the '73.

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