Today after picking my car (1999, E430) up from the body shop (repair on left rear light and bumper area) , I used the remote key to open the trunk and placed my case inside. I noticed some tape on the left side on the bottom side of the trunk lid as I closed the trunk, (it was over a white long switch), but I was in a hurry and just closed the trunk.

WhenI got home I could not open the trunk with the remote key, nor could I open it with the inside switch. The remote works fine tounlock and lockthe doors, but nothing seems to open the trunk. I took out the metal key from the remote and found that it would not work in the trunk lock (could not turn in either direction) but the same metal key does operate the driver's door lock.

I have used the remote and inside switch hundreds of times to open the trunk before this incident. Now, when I try the remote or inside switch I do not hear any soundat all in the trunk area - but the remote doesunlock/lockthe doors.

I am now not sure if the trunk lock cylinder is the keyed the sameas the rest of the car. I can't remember if I have ever used the key in the trunk or not. I bought the car used a 18 months ago. The car had apparently had been previously damaged in the rear, but had been repaired when I had first seen it.

Can anyone help figure out how I can get the trunk open?

 

Go back to the body shop,looks like they masked over the switch when they repaired the trunk.Make them deal with it.(locksmith)
ohlord

 

Ok I went to the MB shop and they at first could not get the remote to open the lock. But when they tried the metal key in the trunk, it worked. I guess the lock was a bit stuck. After that the remote key now also works.