Dead battery - locked trunk
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Texas
CLK430
Dead battery - locked trunk
My battery died and now i can't seem to open the trunk with the key. Is there any other way to get the trunk open or lower the back seats from inside the car? the battery is completely dead - ie no cabin lights or anything. Any help would be appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
try hooking up one of those battery supply/charger monstrosities to the
cigarette lighter for a spell. the goal is to try and induce a surface charge
sufficient to operate the trunk. and....yeah, no metal blade key?
cigarette lighter for a spell. the goal is to try and induce a surface charge
sufficient to operate the trunk. and....yeah, no metal blade key?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
There's a hot wire under the hood. The red arrow points to a cover. Remove the cover and hook 12V+ to it. Connect a ground someplace else and then you can open the hood using the switch on the console. That's assuming the blade key doesn't work.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
even better!... tnx Marcus. i knew that terminal was in the w210s which have
battery under the seat. didn't think/knew that this was the case for the CLKs.
all the 210s with battery in trunk location gave up that terminal under the hood.
seems a good feature for all models, to me.
battery under the seat. didn't think/knew that this was the case for the CLKs.
all the 210s with battery in trunk location gave up that terminal under the hood.
seems a good feature for all models, to me.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Texas
CLK430
yeah, i tried the metal key inside the fob and it didn't work. I found that very odd. But I will try to hot wire it tomorrow. I was afraid i would have to drill out the trunk lock... so i hope it works 
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 27
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From: West Palm Beach
99 CLK320 Cabriolet
These guys are dead on, but if you need to open the trunk, just keep trying with the key. It took me almost an hour the first time it happenned, and it was pouring on me.
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 43
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From: United Kingdom
'02 CLK 320
Procedure for opening the trunk with the metal key:
For those who are unsure how it works.
1) Put in the key, turn it all the way to the left (without pushing).
2) Push the key and button all the way in (the key is still turned to the left).
3) Voila! 1 open trunk :-)
For those who are unsure how it works.
1) Put in the key, turn it all the way to the left (without pushing).
2) Push the key and button all the way in (the key is still turned to the left).
3) Voila! 1 open trunk :-)
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: City of Angels
02 CLK 430 Cab
The key release for the trunk was removed, and I installed a rear view camera. I can switch my monitors over to camera anytime I want to see whats goin on in back of me. Perfect for parking, dont bump into other cars or poles you cant see with your mirror.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 27
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From: West Palm Beach
99 CLK320 Cabriolet
Man, I'm definitely feeling that. With the top up it's impossible to back into a parking spot. I was kind of disappointed that my car's first dent in my ownership couldn't have been prevented. Someone backed into it at a dentist's office.
Cabrios unite!
Cabrios unite!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: chicago
clk 430 cabriolet
My battery drained after being in storage for two months. Was told that there is less drian on the battery if you lock up the auto for storage rather than leaving it unlocked. Also, the trunk locks on a lot of 430 clks are defective and begin to stick. Was told one of two things to do...first call roadside assit. because you have a lifetime of service for free for jumps and the like. 2nd and probably faster is to open the hood as suggested earlier and there is a place to charge voltage to your car to pop the trunk...for w208 there is no connection anywhere else....Also, if battery has drained you most likely have to buy a new battery....thats what I was told by the tech. but didnt believe him...charged the battery but had trouble with the battery again after about a week...got new battery and three months latter no prob.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I just went through that today.
The weather here in Idaho is FINALLY nice enough, and I went to take it out and the battery was dead.
I had a hell of a time with the key, but I just keep trying it and eventually it worked.
I kept thinking I was going to break it off, but I finally was so frustrated I just turned it as hard as I could and POP, it opened!
Good luck!
The weather here in Idaho is FINALLY nice enough, and I went to take it out and the battery was dead.
I had a hell of a time with the key, but I just keep trying it and eventually it worked.
I kept thinking I was going to break it off, but I finally was so frustrated I just turned it as hard as I could and POP, it opened!
Good luck!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: So. California
Marcus,
Thanks again! Your info. helped me out this morning. I have an older CLK Cab and don't ever need to use the valet key. I'm surprised that so many people have had problems with their keys not working, mine didn't either.
Now that I needed to, I tried the cut key in the door and no luck either? I wonder if this is a known issue I missed during my warranty period.
Rgds, Ed
Thanks again! Your info. helped me out this morning. I have an older CLK Cab and don't ever need to use the valet key. I'm surprised that so many people have had problems with their keys not working, mine didn't either.
Now that I needed to, I tried the cut key in the door and no luck either? I wonder if this is a known issue I missed during my warranty period.
Rgds, Ed
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood North
CLK 55 ///AMG Cabrio, ML63 ///AMG
Which battery do you recommend? Was it OEM?
My battery drained after being in storage for two months. Was told that there is less drian on the battery if you lock up the auto for storage rather than leaving it unlocked. Also, the trunk locks on a lot of 430 clks are defective and begin to stick. Was told one of two things to do...first call roadside assit. because you have a lifetime of service for free for jumps and the like. 2nd and probably faster is to open the hood as suggested earlier and there is a place to charge voltage to your car to pop the trunk...for w208 there is no connection anywhere else....Also, if battery has drained you most likely have to buy a new battery....thats what I was told by the tech. but didnt believe him...charged the battery but had trouble with the battery again after about a week...got new battery and three months latter no prob.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 2
From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
yesir! thats the way to do it. i think it was you that helped me out last time my battery died. theres obviously a technique to it. but i think most of us just put in the key and turn thinking that will do the trick,but thats not the case.thanx again for that!
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2003 CLK 430
How to use the Blade Key to open the Trunk CLK 430
To macclk.....I can't thank you enough!
Your simple instructions were the best I found and worked just as you said. My battery was dead and I had been trying to get into my trunk for hours before I read this!
My fingers were practically bloody from trying to get that ridiculous little 'blade key' to work. Well, actually one was, as I stabbed myself with it while attempting to turn the key with a pair of needle nose pliars.
This should be in every MB Manual as to how to open the trunk with the blade key! Of course it wouldn't have helped me at the time since....the Manual was in the trunk!
Thanks so much! You made it so easy!
~ Jazziette
Last edited by Jazziette; Jun 28, 2008 at 10:02 AM. Reason: Typo.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Boston, NYC, Indianapolis
1999 E300 TDI, 2000 CLK430, 2000 E320, 2003 S55, 2005 SL500, 2011 ML350
$1000 to get into trunk
I need serious help guys. Went on vacation and I had luggage stuck in my trunk. The fob doesnt work, nor does the switch on the console. And the key fits only qtr way. I willed and played with it for an hour w no luck. Dropped the car off at White Plains Mercedes in New York. They couldn't figure it out and told me they'd need to drill out the lock and replace it with a new one. I told them about maybe inducing a 12+volt surge in the box under te hood to maybe induce the trunk to open. They didn't want to do it because they thought it could create other problems. The part alone is over $300. The rest is labor. Any advice or suggestions please!!!!! I really don't want to shell out this kind of money just to get in the trunk. Thanks in advance.
00 CLK430
00 CLK430
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 527
Likes: 5
From: TN
2002 c240
Use the method above. If it only turns 1/4 way or goes in 1/4 way then you are pushing the lock in, as you are instructed not to do. Once you get the key in, make certain the lock is not pushed in as you turn the key.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Canby, OR
CLK55 AMG
Lol, had to do that the other day when I disconnected the battery and accidentally shut the trunk. My cut key doesn't work in the trunk for some reason. Someone must have replaced the trunk lock or something.
