Serious Trunk Problem...Unbelievable
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Serious Trunk Problem...Unbelievable
Ok, so I was about to go away for Labor Day Weekend. I put my luggage in the trunk of my 02 CLK 430 and I shut it. I drove to my girlfriend's house to pick her up and when I went to put her things in the trunk, it wouldn't open. The light on the trunk button in the center consol is constantly on and the remote trunk button on the key will not work.
Now I've read that others have had this problem so I tried to use thier solutions. Then I ran into my real problem: for some odd reason, the mechanical key does not fit into the trunk's lock tumbler! It fits perfectly into the door lock, but will not go more than 1/4 the way into the trunk lock.
All of my things are in the trunk and my vacation has been put on hold.
I called road side assistance and they came out but still could not open the trunk. The dipsh*t even bent my key trying to jam it into the trunk lock. He was then trying to work through the small hole underneath the plastic where the first aid kit goes. Because of the size of the hole and the luggage in the trunk, he couldn't manage to engage the rear seat release nor the trunk lock. He told me that he will come back tomorrow and make the hole bigger (I guess by damaging the speaker deck lid) which I don't want to do but it seems I have no choice.
I cannot figure out why the key doesn't fit into the trunk. Anyway, does anyone know of any other options to open the trunk or release the rear seats? I'm about to call a locksmith to see if they can open the trunk. This sucks. I know I can fix the problem if I could get into the trunk at all, but I can't. It has ruined my hole weekend.
Now I've read that others have had this problem so I tried to use thier solutions. Then I ran into my real problem: for some odd reason, the mechanical key does not fit into the trunk's lock tumbler! It fits perfectly into the door lock, but will not go more than 1/4 the way into the trunk lock.
All of my things are in the trunk and my vacation has been put on hold.I called road side assistance and they came out but still could not open the trunk. The dipsh*t even bent my key trying to jam it into the trunk lock. He was then trying to work through the small hole underneath the plastic where the first aid kit goes. Because of the size of the hole and the luggage in the trunk, he couldn't manage to engage the rear seat release nor the trunk lock. He told me that he will come back tomorrow and make the hole bigger (I guess by damaging the speaker deck lid) which I don't want to do but it seems I have no choice.
I cannot figure out why the key doesn't fit into the trunk. Anyway, does anyone know of any other options to open the trunk or release the rear seats? I'm about to call a locksmith to see if they can open the trunk. This sucks. I know I can fix the problem if I could get into the trunk at all, but I can't. It has ruined my hole weekend.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 592
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From: Chicago
CLK/ML
Sux.
Firstly, the key will eventually fit but get that tow truck driving ape away from yout ride.Alot of people(including myself) have had trouble with the trunk lock tumbler since we never use the key and it just seizes up. Try some graphite or lock EZ and let it soak in for a few minutes. If worse comes to worse, rather than the 1st aid kit hole, you can lower the back seat armrest and kick out that plastic thing behind it. I took mine out and left it out for that very reason.
btw, I'm willing to bet your luggave got caught up on the grey trunk sensor pin and thjat is what's keeping it from opening. Good luck.
Firstly, the key will eventually fit but get that tow truck driving ape away from yout ride.Alot of people(including myself) have had trouble with the trunk lock tumbler since we never use the key and it just seizes up. Try some graphite or lock EZ and let it soak in for a few minutes. If worse comes to worse, rather than the 1st aid kit hole, you can lower the back seat armrest and kick out that plastic thing behind it. I took mine out and left it out for that very reason.
btw, I'm willing to bet your luggave got caught up on the grey trunk sensor pin and thjat is what's keeping it from opening. Good luck.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: NYC
Clk320
Yeah the light is on because the car thinks that your trunk is open already thats why you cant open it. Your switch is either faulty or got caught on something as thrill said. Stick a yardstick throught the first aid port and flick the trunk switch button. if you cant reach it turn on your lights without the engine running till the battery drains it will reset the switch along with everything else. Jump the car by using that box under the hood for positive and ground the negative to the chassis . Press trunk button on key the voila open sesame. Have done it at least 20 times since owning the car
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Well the locksmith got the key to work, after about 45 mins of trying but the red light is still on. I'm going to go back a few months and search the threads to see how to solve the problem. It already set me back $100 for the locksmith to do what he did. It was jammed pretty bad, he picked a lot of stuff out of the lock and actually thought that someone had put somethig (glue or something) in the lock. At least I can get in the trunk now. Hopefully I can get this problem fixed myself. Thanks for the help
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
Originally Posted by LorinserCLK430
Well the locksmith got the key to work, after about 45 mins of trying but the red light is still on. I'm going to go back a few months and search the threads to see how to solve the problem. It already set me back $100 for the locksmith to do what he did. It was jammed pretty bad, he picked a lot of stuff out of the lock and actually thought that someone had put somethig (glue or something) in the lock. At least I can get in the trunk now. Hopefully I can get this problem fixed myself. Thanks for the help
Thread Starter
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Yea, whats weird for me is that the light on the switch at the center consol is still permanantly on but the trunk works fine now. Friday night, I couldn't get it to work for the past two days but today it decided to start working.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
Originally Posted by ClkE20
Yeah the light is on because the car thinks that your trunk is open already thats why you cant open it. Your switch is either faulty or got caught on something as thrill said. Stick a yardstick throught the first aid port and flick the trunk switch button. if you cant reach it turn on your lights without the engine running till the battery drains it will reset the switch along with everything else. Jump the car by using that box under the hood for positive and ground the negative to the chassis . Press trunk button on key the voila open sesame. Have done it at least 20 times since owning the car
I bet (some) of these problems are a defective trunk lock (not in all cases maybe). The lock not sending the computer the correct information, which may have something to do with a contact inside the trunk lock. Mine would work sporadically until that lock was changed out. *sigh* Yet another electrical gizmo gone bad....
CPS, MAF, window regulators, instrument clusters, trunk locks...is there any end?
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From: Northern Virginia / D.C.
01 LORINSER CLK 430 - 02 KLEEMANN CLK55 - 88 Euro / Jap AMG 560 SEC Widebody - 16 AMG GTS
I get the same problem with my trunk every once in a while - and you're right, it's so frustrating when the thing won't open! My little red light has been on constantly for almost two years now, irritating me to no end... (the *uckin little red light works GREAT and I'm sure it will NEVER need replacement but the trunk mechanism sucks). Only thing is that my little red light issue started at the same time as my alarm got on this "low volume constant chirp" kick that I took it to the dealer for and all they did was disconnect the siren, blaming my aftermarket ICE for the problem... even though my ICE had been in the car without causing any problems for two years prior to the *uckin' little red light thing (sorry.....) - anyway, keep us posted if you find a solution to the little *ucking red light (sorry...)
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From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
I get the same problem with my trunk every once in a while - and you're right, it's so frustrating when the thing won't open! My little red light has been on constantly for almost two years now, irritating me to no end... (the *uckin little red light works GREAT and I'm sure it will NEVER need replacement but the trunk mechanism sucks). Only thing is that my little red light issue started at the same time as my alarm got on this "low volume constant chirp" kick that I took it to the dealer for and all they did was disconnect the siren, blaming my aftermarket ICE for the problem... even though my ICE had been in the car without causing any problems for two years prior to the *uckin' little red light thing (sorry.....) - anyway, keep us posted if you find a solution to the little *ucking red light (sorry...)
Has anybody that has this problem had their whip hooked up to a STAR diagnostic computer?
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Dallas, TX
2007 Mercedes SL550 Sport
red light is on always (car off or on), truck will ONLY open using the crappy little key. Mechanic thinks the lock itself is bad - dealer wants over $200 for the lock. called several junk yards and no one has the lock -
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From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
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2000 Silver CLK430
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From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
And now that you mention it, I'm going to revisit this issue with them tomorrow. Thanks!
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From: Boston, NYC, Indianapolis
1999 E300 TDI, 2000 CLK430, 2000 E320, 2003 S55, 2005 SL500, 2011 ML350
I've got the same problem. Does this sound right? a little over $300 for the lock. And another $700 for labor to drill it ot and replace. This is at a NY MB dealership. Thanks.
00 CLK430
00 CLK430
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1999 clk 320
Yeah pay 1000 bucks to get the lock fixed.
Don't be rediculous, now.
If you ever have problems with a lock on your car, CALL A LOCKSMITH, not a tow truck dip****. Why do you think he drives a towtruck. (If any of you are an intelligent towtruck driver, you know what I mean. No appologies here.)
As for the lock replacement, stop at all the bodyshops in your area and find out what they'll do it for. Ask the locksmith shops too. You can probably get a lock for much less than 300(and even if you can't,save the labor) and bring it to the shop with a reasonable labor cost.
Don't be rediculous, now.
If you ever have problems with a lock on your car, CALL A LOCKSMITH, not a tow truck dip****. Why do you think he drives a towtruck. (If any of you are an intelligent towtruck driver, you know what I mean. No appologies here.)
As for the lock replacement, stop at all the bodyshops in your area and find out what they'll do it for. Ask the locksmith shops too. You can probably get a lock for much less than 300(and even if you can't,save the labor) and bring it to the shop with a reasonable labor cost.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 502
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From: Bay Area
02 clk 55, 13 GL 450
[QUOTE=SaintMiles;2915924]Yeah pay 1000 bucks to get the lock fixed.
Don't be rediculous, now.
****. Why do you think he drives a towtruck. (If any of you are an intelligent towtruck driver, you know what I mean. No appologies here.)
Hmmm why don't you enlighten us with your wealth of knowledge on why he does? May want to keep that little diddy to yourself when you need that roadside assistance. No appology needed
Don't be rediculous, now.
****. Why do you think he drives a towtruck. (If any of you are an intelligent towtruck driver, you know what I mean. No appologies here.)
Hmmm why don't you enlighten us with your wealth of knowledge on why he does? May want to keep that little diddy to yourself when you need that roadside assistance. No appology needed
