Boot wont open

[Anthony 350 sl]

My boot has become stuck since last Saturday(conveniently just as i arrived at a motel and needed to get my luggage out! doh). I have had it at an auto electrician all week who has tried opening it through the vacuum system with no luck. He then had a locksmith try and open it through the number plate lights also with no luck. He has suggested that the only way to open it is to drill behind the number and get in there with a hand as something is caught. At this stage I really dont want to do that. Can someone suggest anything else or recommend some one I can take it to who could help?

 

[BenzBoy]

My boot has become stuck since last Saturday(conveniently just as i arrived at a motel and needed to get my luggage out! doh). I have had it at an auto electrician all week who has tried opening it through the vacuum system with no luck. He then had a locksmith try and open it through the number plate lights also with no luck. He has suggested that the only way to open it is to drill behind the number and get in there with a hand as something is caught. At this stage I really dont want to do that. Can someone suggest anything else or recommend some one I can take it to who could help?

PM me with your contact number. I have a very discreet friend who can do what locksmiths can not.
Regards,
BenzBoy

 

[Michel]

PM me with your contact number. I have a very discreet friend who can do what locksmiths can not.
Regards,
BenzBoy

In case that doesn't work....

My body man Jerry can do wonders with a hacksaw and then a welder and then a spraygun ..... (this is not a joke...)

Benz boots are the hardest to 'crack' open

Let us know how you fare

 

[Styria]

Hi Anthony, THAT is a calamity - if BenzBoy's solution is possible, that would be the way to go. Other than that, grrrr.......

What can happen, of course, is that the vacuum lever becomes detached from the plastic hook that's part of the lock, and the hook than turns itself to the locked position - although, in this instance, I am not certain it is the problem. Yes, contact BenzBoy first. Regards Styria

 

[Anthony 350 sl]

Thanks all.
BenzBoy has kindly provided me with his contact.
Will let you know how it goes

 

[BAR]

Best of luck attempting to open it without causing great damage.

I recently locked myself out of the W116... with the keys in the boot.

It was a calamity. If it won't unlock and open with the key, don't drill out the lock as it is something else you'll spend money on after getting in.

A panel beater told me that it is impossible to break into the boot without cutting a hole.

If time is on your side, it would be cheaper and cause less visible damage and less expensive repair cost, if you were to drain the fuel tank and remove it and go through to get into the boot.

Drastic.....

 

[Des]

Has anyone ever actually drilled the lock?

One would imagine they have some pretty tough steel in them to prevent just this.

My 280CE would refuse sometimes to open the boot, I found pressing down hard on the lid, with your body weight and then pressing the button would pop it open.



I would assume you have tried it with the engine running?

 

[Michel]

If time is on your side, it would be cheaper and cause less visible damage and less expensive repair cost, if you were to drain the fuel tank and remove it and go through to get into the boot.

Drastic.....

What if u don't have keys in the boot?

 

[B13]

If time is on your side, it would be cheaper and cause less visible damage and less expensive repair cost, if you were to drain the fuel tank and remove it and go through to get into the boot.

Hmmm... don't think so, there's this bloody great bulkhead between the rear seat and the fuel tank.. you'd need to carefully cut the whole thing out, without rupturing the petrol tank, and even then the petrol tank retaineers face into the boot...

How about if you remove the 1st aid kit and its holder, and shine a torch into the boot, can you see your keys? If so start bending a coathanger...

I.

 

[Michel]

GUYSSSSSSSSSSS...

Anthony did NOT drop his keys in the boot !!!

The boot simply refuses to open..

 

[B13]

Bugger.

 

[BenzBoy]

I believe my man is now on the job.
Regards,
BenzBoy

 

[Andrew280SEL]

That is a bugger. Sounds like it could be a nasty and possibly expensive job to get the thing open in the end, unfortunately.

Hopefully all has or will go well with Benzboy's contact though.

 

[Des]

Are there any procedures for this in the MB workshop manual?

 

[Andrew280SEL]

Are there any procedures for this in the MB workshop manual?

Not in mine, though it's a Haynes and in my opinion it can be shockingly vague....but anyway, as far as the boot (or trunk) goes, in order for you to remove the boot lid it says you must first just simply "open it". Helpful huh
There is no actual procedure written for getting open stuck boots in mine, but whether there is in official MB literature I'm not sure.

 

[Anthony 350 sl]

Took the number plate off to see if there was any thing abnormal and noticed there was a hole. I can see the vacuum hose from this hole but it doesnt go all the way through to the boot.
Is this hole normal or does it mean that there was a problem previously?

 

[Des]

I'd say there has been problems before and someone has had to drill a hole,

Every Mercedes I have ever had looks like this with the back number plate off

 

[Anthony 350 sl]

It was a calamity. If it won't unlock and open with the key, don't drill out the lock as it is something else you'll spend money on after getting in.

A locksmith said that the lock was fine and that that was not the problem. I am hoping that the problem lies with the vacuum system and although my auto electrician had a play with it he isnt a mb specialist.

 

[BAR]

It looks like someonme has drilled that hole before, having had a similar problem.

If you can see the vacuum line, why not cut it and 'suck' or 'blow' to see if the thing unlocks. You can always make good the line with some silicone hose as a joiner.

 

[Michel]

Took the number plate off to see if there was any thing abnormal and noticed there was a hole. I can see the vacuum hose from this hole but it doesnt go all the way through to the boot.
Is this hole normal or does it mean that there was a problem previously?

Any further update Anthony?

Did you finally manage to get it open?