Trunk Lock
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
SLR
Trunk Lock
Hi everybody,
Just picked up my '05 E320 CDI and I absolutley love it!
But, while I was still at the dealership I was crawling around the car making sure everything worked and then came to the trunk lock. I could not for the life of me figure out how to lock it separately form the rest of the car. I asked my sales guy, he said due to a new Federal Law trunks cannot be locked because the internal trunk lock needs to be active. That doesn't sound right to me, wouldn't it still be active if the entire car was locked?
I read everything in the manual about the trunk and couldn't find anything on it, has anybody found a way around this? I do not like not being able to secure my trunk.
Just picked up my '05 E320 CDI and I absolutley love it!
But, while I was still at the dealership I was crawling around the car making sure everything worked and then came to the trunk lock. I could not for the life of me figure out how to lock it separately form the rest of the car. I asked my sales guy, he said due to a new Federal Law trunks cannot be locked because the internal trunk lock needs to be active. That doesn't sound right to me, wouldn't it still be active if the entire car was locked?
I read everything in the manual about the trunk and couldn't find anything on it, has anybody found a way around this? I do not like not being able to secure my trunk.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
M-B dropped the ability to separately lock the trunk with the metal key somewhere between the '03 and '05 models. My '03 has that ability. I suspect that the reason that M-B dropped that ability has a lot more to do with saving money (a/k/a "decontenting") than it has to do with a change in federal law. If M-B wanted to make a mechanical lock compatible with the electrical release triggered by the green button inside the trunk, they could do so. They obviously don't want to spend the money to do so. You might want to search for the previous thread or threads on this topic.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
mY '04 BUILT 11/03 HAS IT, ITS A LOCK THAT IS SORT OF LIKE A DEADBOLT THAT PREVENTS THE MANUAL SQUEEZE HANDLE FROM BEING "SQUEEZED" TO activate the electrical lock.
They seem to have done away w/ it by March/April
sorry for caps, too tired to retype.
They seem to have done away w/ it by March/April
sorry for caps, too tired to retype.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
I think the reason they got rid of it is that if you put a person in the trunk and MANUALLY lock it, the electrical green button inside stops working.
I mean, how many complaints did they have re: this.. Geez.
I mean, how many complaints did they have re: this.. Geez.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
My E320 was built in March and doesn't have it. I think BMW has it.
I've also heard that MBUSA have replaced the old locks with the new ones at dealer parts departments.
I've also heard that MBUSA have replaced the old locks with the new ones at dealer parts departments.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
It wouldnt be a rewiring job, since the key is simply moving a piece of metal so thet the squeeze handle cant be squeezed together, making the electrical connection. It stops moving in millimeters. They have altered the mechanical portion of the lock so that the key still turns, but doesn't move the little piece of metal so the handle cant be squeezed together. You turn the key to any position & the handle can still be squeezed actuating the electical lock release.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CHINO HILLS,CA
E320
Trunk lock
The same problem with the trunk lock, I tried to lock the trunk with the metal key and it won't turn all the way to lock it. So I called the dealer on 08-26-04 to tell the trunk lock problem and I took the car to the dealer for the problem on 08-27-04.
The next day, they found the problem and they have order a new trunk lock mechanis on 08-27-04. Now I 'm hoping that it will done by tomorrow as they have promissed.
Build on march/04
****sigh****
"crossing my fingers"
The next day, they found the problem and they have order a new trunk lock mechanis on 08-27-04. Now I 'm hoping that it will done by tomorrow as they have promissed.
Build on march/04
****sigh****
"crossing my fingers"
Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
2004 E500
Originally Posted by DWP
The only people who would complain about not being able to get out of the trunk because of the key lock are sleeping wit da fishies. 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
SLR
Originally Posted by sung113
The same problem with the trunk lock, I tried to lock the trunk with the metal key and it won't turn all the way to lock it. So I called the dealer on 08-26-04 to tell the trunk lock problem and I took the car to the dealer for the problem on 08-27-04.
The next day, they found the problem and they have order a new trunk lock mechanis on 08-27-04. Now I 'm hoping that it will done by tomorrow as they have promissed.
The next day, they found the problem and they have order a new trunk lock mechanis on 08-27-04. Now I 'm hoping that it will done by tomorrow as they have promissed.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CHINO HILLS,CA
E320
I just got a call from the service advisor saying that the car should be done by today and I could pick up the car by today.
So, for a minor problem like this takes about 5 working days to fix, wow, I'
m begining to think that may be MB has not so good service as Lexus does.
The reason for taking many days to fix, could be because we are far away from German and it takes couple of extra days to ship the parts to U.S.A? or is it because my dealer are lazy asses....
I hope everything works as it should like other cars(I know Lexus does),
like pressing the remote trunk release button will open the truck even thought its locked with the metal key.
Matt.
So, for a minor problem like this takes about 5 working days to fix, wow, I'
m begining to think that may be MB has not so good service as Lexus does.
The reason for taking many days to fix, could be because we are far away from German and it takes couple of extra days to ship the parts to U.S.A? or is it because my dealer are lazy asses....
I hope everything works as it should like other cars(I know Lexus does),
like pressing the remote trunk release button will open the truck even thought its locked with the metal key.
Matt.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
The reason for locking the trunk with the metal key is so that it won't open with the remote trunk release. That's so you can give your electronic key to a parking valet but lock stuff in your trunk so that only you can open it with the metal key. People with late '04 and '05 cars are (justifiably) upset because they can't do that.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CHINO HILLS,CA
E320
ok, just got another call from the dealer saying that the needs be in service for one more day because they need to order one more part that they didn't know but luckly they are saying that the part is at local area so that explains that I only have to wait one more days.
So, I guess I will have to wait one more day and see what happends
tomorrow.
Matt.
So, I guess I will have to wait one more day and see what happends
tomorrow.
Matt.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CHINO HILLS,CA
E320
so, I check the trunk to see if it unlocks with the key blade and now it does so thats been fixed.
The other problem that I wanted to be fixed was that I wanted the trunk to be locked all the time, even with the all doors unlocked. So this way the valet guys won't dig my trunk or worry about it, if I put some valuable stuff.
The service advisor said to me that they weren't supposed make it work to unlock with a key blade ,on late 04 and later models from the factory.
He said that they didn't know and order the parts and later they found out that they are not supposed to do that, but he fixed it anyways.
So final comment on trunk locks, late 04's on later models does not have the lock features as the early e320 04's.
oh well.....
I Kind a wasted my time..
sucks. ~
Matt.
The other problem that I wanted to be fixed was that I wanted the trunk to be locked all the time, even with the all doors unlocked. So this way the valet guys won't dig my trunk or worry about it, if I put some valuable stuff.
The service advisor said to me that they weren't supposed make it work to unlock with a key blade ,on late 04 and later models from the factory.
He said that they didn't know and order the parts and later they found out that they are not supposed to do that, but he fixed it anyways.
So final comment on trunk locks, late 04's on later models does not have the lock features as the early e320 04's.
oh well.....
I Kind a wasted my time..
sucks. ~
Matt.
Last edited by sung113; Sep 3, 2004 at 02:13 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by sung113
so, I check the trunk to see if it unlocks with the key blade and now it does so thats been fixed.
The other problem that I wanted to be fixed was that I wanted the trunk to be locked all the time, even with the all doors unlocked. So this way the valet guys won't dig my trunk or worry about it, if I put some valuable stuff.
The service advisor said to me that they weren't supposed make it work to unlock with a key blade ,on late 04 and later models from the factory.
He said that they didn't know and order the parts and later they found out that they are not supposed to do that, but he fixed it anyways.
So final comment on trunk locks, late 04's on later models does not have the lock features as the early e320 04's.
oh well.....
Kind a wasted my time..
sucks. ~
Matt.
The other problem that I wanted to be fixed was that I wanted the trunk to be locked all the time, even with the all doors unlocked. So this way the valet guys won't dig my trunk or worry about it, if I put some valuable stuff.
The service advisor said to me that they weren't supposed make it work to unlock with a key blade ,on late 04 and later models from the factory.
He said that they didn't know and order the parts and later they found out that they are not supposed to do that, but he fixed it anyways.
So final comment on trunk locks, late 04's on later models does not have the lock features as the early e320 04's.
oh well.....
Kind a wasted my time..
sucks. ~
Matt.
If not, do you know if it would be a matter of just getting the old parts if it were possible?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CHINO HILLS,CA
E320
Originally Posted by BudC
So did they or did they not change it so that the Valet feature now works?
If not, do you know if it would be a matter of just getting the old parts if it were possible?
If not, do you know if it would be a matter of just getting the old parts if it were possible?
I was thinking about telling then to put it back on the original but I just desided not to do that.
If get the original parts were back on, then i wouldn't even able to open the trunk with my key blade.
After the part was replaced, now I can turn and open the trunk with the key blade before I wasn't able to turn it to open the trunk.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
So, now you can unlock the trunk with the metal key, but you still can't lock it with the metal key? At least you now have a way to get in the trunk if your battery goes dead - a Good Thing, since the battery is in the trunk.
Considering how large the trunk is, maybe M-B should offer an accessory Kevlar safe for people to mount in their trunk if they want to secure their expensive goods when they hand over the key to a valet.
Considering how large the trunk is, maybe M-B should offer an accessory Kevlar safe for people to mount in their trunk if they want to secure their expensive goods when they hand over the key to a valet.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
SLR
What about the trunk drawer they offer? Does anybody have it? Is it lockable?
If you want a safe, there are plenty of options. Why would you say kevlar?
Originally Posted by DWP
Considering how large the trunk is, maybe M-B should offer an accessory Kevlar safe for people to mount in their trunk if they want to secure their expensive goods when they hand over the key to a valet.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by sung113
The valet mode? no i would say they couldn't do that because they found out that they can't do that anymore for late 04's and after models.
Simply, can you lock & unlock “your” trunk with the key now?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CHINO HILLS,CA
E320
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Matt,
Simply, can you lock & unlock “your” trunk with the key now?
Simply, can you lock & unlock “your” trunk with the key now?
More explanation:
All doors locked
To open the trunk, insert the key to turn and open the trunk( it triggers the alarm)
All doors unlocked
To open the trunk, it does not matter if you insert key and turn, its already unlocked.
I can unlock with the key blade to open the trunk when all the doors are locked but when the car (all) doors are unlocked then there is no purpose in turning the key in the trunk because its already unlocked.
There is no way to lock the trunk independently(my other cars did lock) weather all doors are locked or unlocked and my key blade only works to unlock the trunk to open.
Its kind a messed up but at least now i can insert the key to unlock and open the trunk although this way it triggers the factory alarm.
Matt.
Last edited by sung113; Sep 3, 2004 at 07:55 PM.
