Trunk Locked! how do i get in?

Kkotselas · Jan 30, 2012

Hey All,

On my 1986 300sdl for some reason the trunk does not want to open, i've tried and tried, and my mechanic/mb dealer tried and tried, but it just wont budge. I've been told the only way to open it now is to break through the tail light. My question to you guys is is that the only way in? and if so, is there any way of going through the tail light without breaking it so i don't have to buy a new one? Anything is appreciated. Thanks in advance guys.

Kostas

420 SE · Jan 30, 2012

there is a solution in the DIY thread posted by dan500se, it preserves the tail light.

dan500se · Jan 30, 2012

420 SE said:
there is a solution in the DIY thread posted by dan500se, it preserves the tail light.

I asume it will only work if the car is without that supplementary trunk lock. I did open my trunk 2 times with this solution but never opened a trunk with supplementary lock. I do have that lock in my `91 500SE. I must check if that lock can be de-activated via the hole drilled in the plastic cover... :thumbsup:

Good luck!

LINK to the DIY post:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/4652539-post128.html

...

London380sl · Jan 30, 2012

I vaguely remember a post about using a placing a 2x4 at the right place and hitting it with a hammer.

I couldn't find the post I was thinking about but here's some discussion on the issue.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/6173-trunk-lid-wont-open.html

Also try doing a search of this forum. There are at least 10 threads with this subject. Here's one

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1558993-126-trunk-wont-open-last-resort.html

Kkotselas · Jan 30, 2012

@dan500se excuse me for my inexperience, but what do you mean by supplementary trunk lock? Thanks for the help.

Thanks as well London 380sl and 420se

Chadahar · Jan 30, 2012

US cars have two locks one in the trunk latch and one about a foot closer to the drivers side of the car. I believe that the trick will unlock both as it effects the main lock.

dan500se · Jan 30, 2012

Chadahar said:
US cars...

It was an European option too...

@Kkotselas...You must remember if your trunk have it! It looks just like this:

Closed:

Open:

(source of the picture: this Forum...I did not have time to take pictures to my lock)

The mechanism from my 500SE:

Chadahar · Jan 30, 2012

I think that when one opens the hatch by the sticky instructions that the part that is pushed upon releases both,(like the key does), and there shouldn't be a problem.
Wish I had had the instructions I when I lost the key to my my 300SD. I had to kill the tail light lens to get in.

Kkotselas · Jan 30, 2012

I know this isn't good, but i cant remember! it wasn't something i was paying attention too, but i know my trunk lock was not like your 500se for sure.

I found a video on youtube of my exact car, and it shows a glimpse of the trunk lock at 7:00, if you could look at it and let me know that would be great!

Here's the link & thank you!

w126Sam · Jan 30, 2012

The one in the video looks to have the auxiliary lock or whatever it's called, but as chadahar suggested, it may not matter.

Chadahar · Jan 30, 2012

Since the 300SD and SDL were only sold in NA, I believe that the double lock was standard here. I know my 300SD had both. I had no trouble unlocking mine from inside going through the tail light and I'm sure all I did was move the same actuator that you will move if done per sticky.

robbpa · Jan 30, 2012

I drilled my 84 380se. Someone tried to break into my trunk and literally destroyed the lock. I followed dan500se's directions. I drilled at about the 1:00 position and as soon as the drill bit went through the backing plate of the lock assembly, the trunk popped open. I bought another lock assembly from a forum member and am waiting to have a tumbler made. I also drilled a hole in the backing plate of the new one and have a black plastic plug to cover the plastic surround between the taillights so you can't see the hole. Just a little insurance against having to do this again.

Kkotselas · Jan 31, 2012

Thanks everyone! I'm just afraid of drilling a hole through my car, but I think I'm going to do it, but I'm going to stop by the locksmith tomorrow and see what he says prior to drilling. Thanks for the help, and i'll keep you updated on my trunk!

dan500se · Jan 31, 2012

Kkotselas said:
I know this isn't good, but i cant remember! it wasn't something i was paying attention too, but i know my trunk lock was not like your 500se for sure.

I found a video on youtube of my exact car, and it shows a glimpse of the trunk lock at 7:00, if you could look at it and let me know that would be great!

w126Sam said:
The one in the video looks to have the auxiliary lock or whatever it's called, but as chadahar suggested, it may not matter.

Chadahar said:
Since the 300SD and SDL were only sold in NA, I believe that the double lock was standard here...

You have the answer! You have that lock! (see the picture!)

robbpa said:
I drilled my 84 380se. Someone tried to break into my trunk and literally destroyed the lock. I followed dan500se's directions. I drilled at about the 1:00 position and as soon as the drill bit went through the backing plate of the lock assembly, the trunk popped open. I bought another lock assembly from a forum member and am waiting to have a tumbler made. I also drilled a hole in the backing plate of the new one and have a black plastic plug to cover the plastic surround between the taillights so you can't see the hole. Just a little insurance against having to do this again.

I`m happy that you prove that this method works! :thumbsup:

Kkotselas said:
Thanks everyone! I'm just afraid of drilling a hole through my car, but I think I'm going to do it, but I'm going to stop by the locksmith tomorrow and see what he says prior to drilling. Thanks for the help, and i'll keep you updated on my trunk!

There is no reason to be afraid to drill that hole. I hope you can open it with the key or with remote (if you have that option) but if not...you have the right way to do it without major damage to your car!

Good luck!

Teutone · Jan 31, 2012

Locked keys in W126 trunks have been known to elicit spontaneous expressions of religious devotion.....

To have the extra trunk latch might make matters worse

CJay · Jan 31, 2012

I don't know how I feel about this. Seems like there's not much in the way of security when it comes to the locks on this car if these methods posted is all it takes.

dan500se · Jan 31, 2012

CJay said:
I don't know how I feel about this. Seems like there's not much in the way of security when it comes to the locks on this car if these methods posted is all it takes.

It is enough! With a good drill you can open almost every `80 and `90 (and beyond...) built cars no matter of the lock! Let`s be honest: if a thief want to get in your car he will smash the window and not loose time to drill a hole in your lock!

dan500se · Jan 31, 2012

Teutone said:
Locked keys in W126 trunks have been known to elicit spontaneous expressions of religious devotion...

You are right! I have done that...I know that feeling! :crybaby2:

CJay said:
I don't know how I feel about this. Seems like there's not much in the way of security when it comes to the locks on this car if these methods posted is all it takes.

It is enough! With a good drill you can open almost every `80 and `90 (and beyond...) built cars no matter of the lock! Let`s be honest: if a thief want to get in your car he will smash the window and not loose time to drill a hole in your lock!

robbpa · Jan 31, 2012

I was a little apprehensive myself about the drilling. The one thing I did before the drilling was to buy a used lock mechanism to study it. It made things easier for me in the end. Once I got through the backing plate and the trunk popped opened, I felt a lot better. I also discovered that my locking mechanism was due to fail at some point and would have had to been replaced soon anyway. Just sucks that I have to buy a new lock and tumbler because someone wanted my tools in the trunk....

Teutone · Jan 31, 2012

A locked W126 trunk is not easy to get into, especially if it has the second latch.
Breaking through a tail light, or reaching through the openings under the rear deck trays works to an extend.
BTW, if you turn the lock to the right and remove the key from the far right position, the trunk will stay locked even when other doors are later opened, or the car is started.

Trunk Locked! how do i get in?

Kkotselas

420 SE

dan500se

London380sl

Kkotselas

Chadahar

dan500se

Chadahar

Kkotselas

w126Sam

Chadahar

robbpa

Kkotselas

dan500se

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Teutone

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CJay

dan500se

dan500se

robbpa

Teutone

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