Boot won't open

[teddy]

i don't have a key for the boot on my 316i, but it doesn't seem to be unlocking with the central locking. The button presses in all the way but nothing happens. All the rest of the locks work fine.
If anyone can give me any advice on getting into the boot it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

Not very clever relying completely on the central locking!
Sounds like the boot lock solenoid has failed and you have a problem!
The boot lock mechanism works by moving the little plunger on the back of the push button out of line with the actual release lever. This lever can be released by drilling a very small hole in the right place in the rear panel.
There is a steel panel behind the rear seat back which can be removed (ski hatch) which will alow you to see into the boot, but I can't think of a way to actualy release the boot through this, unless you have a very skinny friend.

[ad318i]

get a touring youll never have a problem with access to your boot

[WillG]

you could take off plastic number plate panel and drill with a hole saw to put hand in and release it then bond or weld a plate back over it, none would see it

[dazleeds]

im sure if the ski hatch is out and the boots empty
theres a chance you can get a socket onto the latch bolts and release it that way

be prepared for some strange positioning and twisting of ya body tho
and make sure ya have some long extension bars

worth a try

i had to cut thru the bootlid ;ast time this happened to me as the boot was full to bursting

[Ziggy]

Stick a 1/2" extension bar (or similar) on the button, & hit it with a big hammer. Will pop a circlip off the inside of the lock, but you can put it back together... Not sure if that depends on what position the lock's in or anything, but got to be worth a try?!

[tomson]

back last year some fook managed to get into my boot without breaking
anything other than the lock, i assume he/she used a screwdriver and
hammer to smash the into the lock and then turn it. They must have been gutted after all that hard work to find an empty boot!! Tosser none the less.

Cheers Tom

[cliffybabe]

glad i read this thread i must change all my locks over

[Martinaston]

It sounds like the boot has been isolated from the central locking (90 degree turn)

Try another key from a similar aged car, I had two G reg cars that were'nt fussy which key you used.