You need to remove the lock cylinder (Drill It) in-order to get at the mechanism to trip the lock catch!

The functionality of the cylinder is irrelevant at this point.

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William
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1987 420 SEL - Like a fine wine only better with age

Here's a suggestion that worked on my '75 280...
Remove the license plate, and after looking at another car from inside the trunk to get the location right, drill a hole through the sheetmetal under the plate area large enough so you can get a screwdriver or hooked end tool on the latch arm and operate it to unlock the trunk. After replacing the link, which must have come unhooked, fill the hole with a small piece of sheetmetal or a snap-in plug, put the license plate back on over it, and you should be good to go.

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Richard Wooldridge
'01 ML320
'82 300D 4.3L V6/T700R4 conversion
'82 380SL, '86 560SL engine/trans. installed
'79 450SL, digital servo update
'75 280C

I believe that where you would have to drill is higher than the plate.

Your car not mine...

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William
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1987 420 SEL - Like a fine wine only better with age

My thought were that if I had disconnected the control rod going from the lock cylinder to the latch mechanism. Then most likely it was disconnected at the latch mechanism side. I will drill out the lock this weekend since it appears to be the best location and least evasive way to get a fish line ito the trunk. Maybe I will luck out and find the control rod was disconnected at the lock cylinder.

Thank You
John Roncallo

Got it drilled out the cylender with hole saw and was able to actuate the mechanism. No damadge to painted parts. Rod was connected I'm not sure why it dident work.

Thank You
Everyone