New Member with Stuk trunk - BMW Forum

BMWGal · 12-05-2011, 10:27 AM

BMW 1997 328i e36 trunk lock, stuck - won't unlock, and the key won,t turn in the lock, but will push in,,,,and when the door locks are unlocked it won't unlock either - lubricant did not work. Please Help!

Jack Dabsy · 12-05-2011, 11:06 AM

If you have drop-down rear seats then you have to crawl in and remove the liner, then move the top-most horizontal rod towawards the left and press down on the mechanism to open it !!! Very fiddly job !
Another method is to remove the rear lisense plate, drill a hole and manipulate the rod from there !!!

BMWGal · 12-05-2011, 11:27 AM

The seats won't flip down, and I'm not drilling a hole in my trunk. Surely there is a better option folks.

Jack Dabsy · 12-05-2011, 11:33 AM

Have tried the key in the door, turning the key BEYOND the unlocking stage (usually a full 90 degs)... This should release all deadlocks and refresh the lock-mode to normal.

brettski · 12-06-2011, 03:24 AM

Is it possible that you are using the Valet key? Have you tried to lock and unlock the glovebox with this same key?

cadenwilson · 12-06-2011, 08:04 AM

hai friends very happy to meet you all and according to me using of valet key is of no use. if it is good friends can you suggest me how to use it?

BMWGal · 12-06-2011, 08:13 AM

The key I'm using has always locked and unlocked both the glove box & doors, and it used to unlock the trunk as well.

Tried the other suggestion of unlocking the passenger door per instructions, but still no go. WD 40 isn't doing a thing either, as the trunk button already goes in and out easily; it just won't turn with the key in it. The latch is not engaging regardless of what I do. Ugh!

brettski · 12-07-2011, 05:53 AM

Can you hear the solenoide activating when you press the remote boot release?
If you can hear it but nothing is happening then part of the mechnism is broken or dislodged, which doesn't leave you with many options other than the drilling a whole approach.

BMWGal · 12-07-2011, 06:33 AM

My car does not have keyless entry, so no romote boot release to check, but when I use my key to unlock the car it makes a loud noise as the car doors unlock. Was told that the issue could be the Actuator. Does this sound logical?
Do I buy that first to see if it works or purchase a new trunk latch. Each are over $100.00.