e36 coupe boot wont open

[gary5661]

i got a 320i coupe e36 up till the other day my boot opened fine now it wont. if i press the fob it doesnt unlock, and if i put the key in the lock it turns to the lerft but it wont turn to the right how am i going to get into it to sort it is there a quick fix?

[thekid]

Originally Posted by gary5661

i got a 320i coupe e36 up till the other day my boot opened fine now it wont. if i press the fob it doesnt unlock, and if i put the key in the lock it turns to the lerft but it wont turn to the right how am i going to get into it to sort it is there a quick fix?

Try using a different key (if you recieved multiples from the previous owner). There is a "master" and a valet version of the key. The valet version will not unlock the trunk or the glove box. Also if you need to get something out of the trunk, on some of the coupes you can fold down the rear seats via a latch up near where the shoulder portion of the rear seat belt comes out.

[gary5661]

tried that no good any other suggestions realy need boot open

[thekid]

Check your keys and make sure that they are not worn down. If one is, stop using it. Most likely what has happened is that one of the keys is worn and has worn out the lock cylinder. I am not sure how to replace the trunk lock, but if you continue to use a bad key you will be facing problems on all of your other locks and ignition.... I had to replace the iginition cylinder on my old E36 due to the same reason...or pehraps that lock just went bad. You could try putting some graphite on the key and seeing if it will turn then...

[TheJuice]

I had a similar issue with my car. What I had to do was make sure the trunk was unlocked, then I crawled in through the back seat. I used a flat head screw driver to release the latch. It had apparently just gotten stuck and has worked fine since then.

[gary5661]

nah i cant turn the key to unlock it as it isnt turning left and i cant hear the central locking motor working in the boot

[TheJuice]

I couldn't hear the electronic lock unlock mine either. Might be worth it to try crawling in there with a flashlite and a screwdriver anyway.

[internaut]

1997 M3 - boot will not open, regardless of key position. I hear mechanism sounding like it latches and unlatches, but pressing the trunk release doesn't appear to "catch" on anything. Incidentally, I never ever used the key to lock/unlock the boot. It just failed all of a sudden a couple of days ago. I will try the screwdriver trick next, but if that fails, anyone has other ideas - could it be a blown fuse?

Internaut

[gary5661]

i sorted mine now wouldnt open with the key or fob what i did was drop the back seats unclip the carpet on the back of the boot lid reach in and you will see a rod going down to the lock just pull that up and it will release the boot then you can examine closer with the boot open

[internaut]

Got the boot finally open from the inside - tracked the problem to a disconnected latch release - seems like the metal rod has become detached from the plastic collar holding it to the release mechanism (see picture). When I attempt to reinsert it, the rod refuses to stay in place. I'm not sure if something else is missing like a plastic interlock or some such.

I can probably fashion a temporary fix but would someone identify the part so that I can order a replacement?



Thanks!

Tony

[srsamuel]

Hi

I have a same prob with my e36 saloon but the rear seats dont fold down any one got any ideas on how to crack this nut

Steve