Trunk Lock Not Opening With Key On 96 328 Conv.

[MunirShaikh]

I have a 1996 328i convertible. My trunk lock was working fine until yesterday. When I put the key in and turned it counter-clockwise like I always do to unlock the trunk before pressing in on the round lock, it wouldn't open. I can hear some noise like it's trying to catch on the lock but not the usual louder sound that accompanies the unlocking normally.

I hope I am just doing something wrong or somehow the trunk has been locked with some switch somewhere, but that it is not a broken lock.

Has anyone experienced this? Did I accidently set the trunk to not open with the key I have (I don't believe it is a valet key). This is a pre-owned vehicle and it was working fine up til now. Is there a manual release somewhere?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Delmarco]

yOU MAY NEED TO GET YOUR ACTUATORS REPLACED!
IF YOU HAVE A CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM (AND YOU SHOULD...B'CUZ I GOT IT) UNLOCK YOUR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WITH A KEY AND LOCK IT AGAIN AND UNLOCK IT AND YOUR TRUNK SHOULD OPEN WITH THE KEY.....

[MunirShaikh]

Thanks for the suggestion Delmarco. I tried that and the trunk remains locked. I can directly lock/unlock the 2 car doors fine with the key.

In the trunk lock, I used to be able to lock/unlock the car doors as well, but they do not respond to my turning the key in the trunk lock any longer.

I understand I might have to get the trunk lock mechanism looked and replaced. Meanwhile, is there any "manual" way to pop the trunk?

By the way, how would a service technician/mechanic get inside the trunk in order to replace the actuator if that is the problem?

[Dirty_Tool]

One thing to try...
Since your car is a convertible if the bootlid is up at all or if the car thinks it is it will prohibit the trunk from opening. Try running the top and restowing the canvas or try it either fully open or fully closed and if it still doesnt work then have a friend try pushing downward on the bootlid on the passenger side as u work the key in the trunk lock. If this doesnt work then there is a problem with the lok cylinder or the rod has fallen off of the lock or the latch. What a technician would be forced to do is to remove the license plate and drill a small hole and manually unlatch the trunk by ulling on the rod. Then they would cap the hole with a body plug and reinstall the license plate so that it would be hidden.

DT

[MunirShaikh]

Hey Dirty Tool,
That did the trick! I pressed down on the covertible-top deck
on the passenger side, then tried the trunk and it opened. (My convertible top needs re-timing and I had previously disengaged the motor mechanism for the top under the seat.)

[Dirty_Tool]

hey awesome! glad I could help

DT