E30 Zone

My boot is refusing to unlock, central locking won't shift it and the key, previously would not turn but after copious amounts of wd-40 it now turns 45 degrees and then refuses to go further. It triggers central locking but boot remains locked. Lock is oriented so the key slot is vertical. It's a convertible and having taken rear seats out I can't find a way through. Any ideas on how to get in or break the lock off?

Several days now and still no movement - If there is no movement by the weekend whats the best way to break in without damaging anything other than the lock? And what part numbers will I need to re-order?

If the boot lock is anything like the touring one, you need to try and spray under the lid and onto the slam panel. Freeing the key tumbler bit is one thing, but the mechanism in the slam panel is probably what is solid.

Cheers, I will start trying to attack there as well!

if you have a ski hatch get in there with a meter piece of wooden dowl and tape a 10 mm spanner on and undo the latch that is atached to the car side, it will allow you to open it then figure out what the problem is.

No ski hatch on the convertible - stripped the rear seats out to check,

Have carried on spraying WD-40 - still no luck but will continue to the weeked and then attack it. Unfortunately my Bentley manual is also in the boot! Can someone put some pictures up of the inside of the lock / latch please on the convertible. (Guess it is not much different to the others).

Also where in relation to the mechanism (assuming it is the latch/lever jammed) is the rear number plate light, believe the right hand side one when looking at it from the back would be the one to take out to try to get to the mechanism.

Try placing a bit of wood against the barrel and hitting the other end with a hammer... If you can here it activating the central locking, it should be locking and unlocking the boot.

I had this in the paast weher it would lock and unlock but wouldnt pop open, the cause was the barrel not pushing in enough. A hit with the hammer did it, but place wood or something similiar to stop any damage to the chrome etc...

Thanks Jim - I can hear the central locking activating - When I turn the key 1/4 turn it will unlock all doors and can feel the central locking judder the key but boot will not open.

Will try using a block of wood at the weekend - I am away at the moment and tools are not really to hand (plus if I break it I would rather have it on the drive )

I had a similar issue - http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

Had to put a lot of DW40 in it, also push it in and out while spraying the magic fluid in making sure it’s well lubricated.

When you put the wood on it, push it in as far as the barrel will go then start with light tapping and work your way up. You'll get a feel for it. Dont just belt it Dont just hit it without the barrel pushed in either else it will just damage more.

Hopefully you get back in... Once you do, remove the barrel, remove the catch, remove everything and get them properly lubed up. Check the actuator too to make sure it moves when pulled back and forth, a knackered actuator wont move at all, although if that was the case, it wouldnt be unlocking the rest of the doors...

Good luck

Cheers all, I will try at the weekend and post back!

OK, managed to get the boot open - it involved taking out the number plate light to the right of the boot lock, spraying WD40 in the general direction of the lock and trying again - this didn't free it, but by inserting a bent wire coat hanger into the number plate light hole I was able to hook the bar that connects lock and actuator and pull it until it released.

The problem is the lock needed lubricating, but also a cable running to a red LED on the boot (assume this is part of the original alarm) was caught and jamming the rod. I have moved it out the way as much as possible, lubricated and all seems OK now.

Thanks for the input everyone.

The red led is part of the cabby alarm, if you have removed the alarm then when not just cut the cable and stick the led and gromit back in?..this way it should avoid catching again.

well done by the way.