1989 Saloon Boot Lid Jammed

swedishandgerman · Nov 6th, 2020, 18:22

The boot lid on my 1989 240 GLT saloon won't open. It's well and truly shut and neither playing with the central locking nor the key in the boot alters things.

I've noticed when the lock is turned anti-clockwise there's no resistance in the button, but when I turn it to the right, there's some resistance.

I've peeped through the ski hole in the back seat, but completely unable to reach the catch. As well, I've taken the back seat out, but there's trim in the way which I hope I don't have to resort to smashing up to be able to reach.

Othen · Nov 6th, 2020, 18:28

How about using an endoscope through the ski hatch to see if there is some way of opening from the inside?

Clifford Pope · Nov 7th, 2020, 08:47

I've just done a Google search and found a suggestion on a US forum for someone with the same problem.
Plug a lot of socket extensions together until long enough to reach the bolts holding the lock catch. Apparently it worked!

Good luck

swedishandgerman · Nov 9th, 2020, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

I've just done a Google search and found a suggestion on a US forum for someone with the same problem.
Plug a lot of socket extensions together until long enough to reach the bolts holding the lock catch. Apparently it worked!

Good luck

Superb!!

Othen · Nov 9th, 2020, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedishandgerman

Superb!!

Did it work?

swedishandgerman · Nov 9th, 2020, 16:15

Sadly not! The latch is covered with a piece of plastic trim I have since found.

However, I have taken a photo of the inside of the boot lid having got access through the ski hole. I have a couple more options that I am going to explaore. I wish to insert a small child through the hole, but I don't think my wife would allow it

Othen · Nov 10th, 2020, 07:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedishandgerman

I wish to insert a small child through the hole, but I don't think my wife would allow it

... unfortunately we stopped doing that in the Victorian era.

An endoscope might allow you to see what is going on inside the boot and they are very inexpensive (less than £10 for the USB type that plugs in to a laptop) and work very well. I find one invaluable. perhaps with the endoscope you may see how to detach the plastic cover and so access the lock?

Clifford Pope · Nov 10th, 2020, 07:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedishandgerman

Sadly not! The latch is covered with a piece of plastic trim I have since found.

Break it and get another one, if it matters.

swedishandgerman · Nov 11th, 2020, 10:44

I have managed to reach through and undo the bolts holding in place the catch and have opened the boot. Turns out that the actuating lever in the latch has deformed with age and was not engaging with the mechanism. I've bent it back and hoping that's all.

Othen · Nov 11th, 2020, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedishandgerman

I have managed to reach through and undo the bolts holding in place the catch and have opened the boot. Turns out that the actuating lever in the latch has deformed with age and was not engaging with the mechanism. I've bent it back and hoping that's all.

That is excellent news - well done indeed!

It might be a good idea to publish a description of how you did the job - just in case someone else does the same one day.

Alan

Nov 6th, 2020, 18:22	#1
swedishandgerman Premier Member Last Online: Oct 23rd, 2023 21:39 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: EXETER	1989 Saloon Boot Lid Jammed The boot lid on my 1989 240 GLT saloon won't open. It's well and truly shut and neither playing with the central locking nor the key in the boot alters things. I've noticed when the lock is turned anti-clockwise there's no resistance in the button, but when I turn it to the right, there's some resistance. I've peeped through the ski hole in the back seat, but completely unable to reach the catch. As well, I've taken the back seat out, but there's trim in the way which I hope I don't have to resort to smashing up to be able to reach. __________________ 2006 XC70 D5 Manual 1968 Amazon Estate, B18A + Overdrive 2019 V60 D3 Momentum Pro Manual 1970 Amazon 2-Door 1970 142DL

Nov 9th, 2020, 16:15	#6
swedishandgerman Premier Member Last Online: Oct 23rd, 2023 21:39 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: EXETER	Sadly not! The latch is covered with a piece of plastic trim I have since found. However, I have taken a photo of the inside of the boot lid having got access through the ski hole. I have a couple more options that I am going to explaore. I wish to insert a small child through the hole, but I don't think my wife would allow it __________________ 2006 XC70 D5 Manual 1968 Amazon Estate, B18A + Overdrive 2019 V60 D3 Momentum Pro Manual 1970 Amazon 2-Door 1970 142DL

Nov 11th, 2020, 10:44	#9
swedishandgerman Premier Member Last Online: Oct 23rd, 2023 21:39 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: EXETER	I have managed to reach through and undo the bolts holding in place the catch and have opened the boot. Turns out that the actuating lever in the latch has deformed with age and was not engaging with the mechanism. I've bent it back and hoping that's all. __________________ 2006 XC70 D5 Manual 1968 Amazon Estate, B18A + Overdrive 2019 V60 D3 Momentum Pro Manual 1970 Amazon 2-Door 1970 142DL

Nov 6th, 2020, 18:28	#2
Othen Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 06:15 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Corby del Sol	How about using an endoscope through the ski hatch to see if there is some way of opening from the inside?

Nov 7th, 2020, 08:47	#3
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Yesterday 17:33 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	I've just done a Google search and found a suggestion on a US forum for someone with the same problem. Plug a lot of socket extensions together until long enough to reach the bolts holding the lock catch. Apparently it worked! Good luck

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