Desperate. LOCKED OUT of 2002 CLK 430
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Maui Hawaii
2014 c250
Desperate. LOCKED OUT of 2002 CLK 430
My question for any of you is this. Do any of you think it is possible to cut out entire lock mechanism while it is locked in trunk?
I have cut out a large hole (Under license plate) big enough for my entire hand & a dermal tool . I can actually see the back or under side of the bolts that hold the the whole mechanism in place. Im thinking I can cut the entire steel mechanism apart & remove it from the inside of the trunk lid. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Please read below all the steps I have already done to try to get into trunk as I have done EVERYTHING I can find on google.
Thank you
So my wife's has a 2002 CLK 430 which is a little tired but I feel still an awesome car with some issues. I LOVE THIS CAR..................when it runs!
The first issue that has stumped us for along time now is getting into the trunk. Here's the scenario.
1.Convertible top didn't get LOCKED into correct position which I believe the cars computer tells the trunk to remain locked.
2. Battery died in trunk
3. Lock mechanism on trunk is totally frozen & little key on key FOB doesn't turn at at. TOTALLY UNMOVABLE!
Here are the things I have done to try to get access
1. I JOINED MB WORLD to search & ask for advice.
2. I jumped her car with my Volvo from port in engine compartment. While there was power to CLK I put key in ignition turning in partially lighting up cars computer.
I pulled on trunk button & nothing happened. I then took spare key FOB & pushed button it for trunk & nothing. Key FOB batteries not a problem.
3.I tried little key in key FOB & nothing.
4. I pulled out rear seats of CLK & the bulkhead behind seats is all metal & not that I can see gives any access.
5. Going from UTUBE I saw a video of guy drilling out small hole under licence plate above left of lock mechanism & can move part of lock but still nothing.
6.Going more extreme, I used a dremal tool & cut out hole big enough for entire hand (hidden under license plate) & put my hand in there & disconnected the vacuum hoses. Still nothing
7. RUNNING OUT of ideas
8. Now I have been searching Google on drilling out lock cylinder. Not sure if this is a good idea
PLEASE any help from experience on what to do to get into this beast of car would be appreciated!
Mahalo form MAUI HAWAII
I have cut out a large hole (Under license plate) big enough for my entire hand & a dermal tool . I can actually see the back or under side of the bolts that hold the the whole mechanism in place. Im thinking I can cut the entire steel mechanism apart & remove it from the inside of the trunk lid. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Please read below all the steps I have already done to try to get into trunk as I have done EVERYTHING I can find on google.
Thank you
So my wife's has a 2002 CLK 430 which is a little tired but I feel still an awesome car with some issues. I LOVE THIS CAR..................when it runs!
The first issue that has stumped us for along time now is getting into the trunk. Here's the scenario.
1.Convertible top didn't get LOCKED into correct position which I believe the cars computer tells the trunk to remain locked.
2. Battery died in trunk
3. Lock mechanism on trunk is totally frozen & little key on key FOB doesn't turn at at. TOTALLY UNMOVABLE!
Here are the things I have done to try to get access
1. I JOINED MB WORLD to search & ask for advice.
2. I jumped her car with my Volvo from port in engine compartment. While there was power to CLK I put key in ignition turning in partially lighting up cars computer.
I pulled on trunk button & nothing happened. I then took spare key FOB & pushed button it for trunk & nothing. Key FOB batteries not a problem.
3.I tried little key in key FOB & nothing.
4. I pulled out rear seats of CLK & the bulkhead behind seats is all metal & not that I can see gives any access.
5. Going from UTUBE I saw a video of guy drilling out small hole under licence plate above left of lock mechanism & can move part of lock but still nothing.
6.Going more extreme, I used a dremal tool & cut out hole big enough for entire hand (hidden under license plate) & put my hand in there & disconnected the vacuum hoses. Still nothing
7. RUNNING OUT of ideas
8. Now I have been searching Google on drilling out lock cylinder. Not sure if this is a good idea
PLEASE any help from experience on what to do to get into this beast of car would be appreciated!
Mahalo form MAUI HAWAII
Last edited by MauiVolvoGuy; Dec 24, 2019 at 01:18 PM. Reason: Updating info
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 5
From: New Hampshire
Magma Red W208 55 AMG, W203 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6speed M/T, W220 S500
I had similar situation with my W208 without all the cutting.
Honestly, it took a couple of days of WD-40 treatment and jiggling the mechanical key back and forth (sometimes ***CAREFULLY*** using needle nose pliers for leverage) and it eventually turned and unlocked. I will post some WIS diagrams of the trunk lid later, but IMO I would work that lock free.
Honestly, it took a couple of days of WD-40 treatment and jiggling the mechanical key back and forth (sometimes ***CAREFULLY*** using needle nose pliers for leverage) and it eventually turned and unlocked. I will post some WIS diagrams of the trunk lid later, but IMO I would work that lock free.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Maui Hawaii
2014 c250
Thank you so much for the reply. I actually just discovered that the key is being blocked by something in the key cylinder. I put the fob key in & it went in maybe 3/4. Questioning if it was in all the way I put the key in the door and it slid all the way in.
Now knowing that the key is not going all the way in it makes me think that what ever is in blocked in there is wedged pretty far in the cylinder & I need to drill out
Any thoughts on this?
Thank you so much
Now knowing that the key is not going all the way in it makes me think that what ever is in blocked in there is wedged pretty far in the cylinder & I need to drill out
Any thoughts on this?
Thank you so much
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Maui Hawaii
2014 c250
Well It wasn't pretty & definitely not the way Mercedes would have gotten into trunk but I got in to the trunk. I drilled through the entire lock cylinder & then used a big screw driver to pry it open & finally it popped. More then thirty hours trying just to get in to the trunk. Now moving on on to trying to figure out the convertible top to open & close it manually.
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
Well It wasn't pretty & definitely not the way Mercedes would have gotten into trunk but I got in to the trunk. I drilled through the entire lock cylinder & then used a big screw driver to pry it open & finally it popped. More then thirty hours trying just to get in to the trunk. Now moving on on to trying to figure out the convertible top to open & close it manually.
Well, I was going to tell you not to do that, but I guess I 'm too late. I had the same problem. I think the tumblers seize from disuse. When was the last time anyone used their trunk key instead of the remote? Based on another thread I went to the garage and tried my keys. I had to squirt lubricant in the key holes and work the key in there. It took several tries, pushing and pulling with the key held by pliers before they were free enough to allow the key to slide in easily. Then it took a bit to get the key to turn the tumblers.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 5
From: New Hampshire
Magma Red W208 55 AMG, W203 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6speed M/T, W220 S500
Well It wasn't pretty & definitely not the way Mercedes would have gotten into trunk but I got in to the trunk. I drilled through the entire lock cylinder & then used a big screw driver to pry it open & finally it popped. More then thirty hours trying just to get in to the trunk. Now moving on on to trying to figure out the convertible top to open & close it manually.
Sorry to hear that your trunk lid didn't make it. Good thing a lot of those cars were in front end accidents. As far as the top problem, that's way out of my wheelhouse. Good luck and welcome to the forums.
