RussB

car: 1988 5000CSTQ

I managed to lock myself out of my trunk last week. A pot metal piece of the lock had broken and I stupidly closed the lid before checking that it could be unlocked.

Today I used a hammer, chisel, and small prybar to remove the right rear taillight lens and was then able to reach through the hole and pull on the unlatch/latch rod to unlatch the trunk.

Whew!

rooster 2

I have always said the worse wounds are the ones that are self inflicted..........glad you got in Rus. Let me guess.......you are now looking for a new tail light lens?

4x5x5

I've had luck going in through the ski sack without breaking anything

AudiSpaulding

might I ask what piece of your latch broke? On mine the part that lets you open the trunk according to the status of the pneumatic system is broken,but I can still open it with just the key. just turn it to the right and push.... reason i'm asking is maybe we can swap some pieces or something

RussB

It's a little hard to describe in words but it was a potmetal piece that the lock cylinder pushes against when you push in the lock from outside the car.

I was lucky enough to find an '88 5000S in the local u-pull-it and pulled the lock assembly and taillight from it.

I removed my lock assembly, pushed out the rollpin, and installed my lock cylinder in the "new" lock assembly. Now it works with the key. The remote trunklid lock is still inoperative, but I have bigger fish to fry first.

Post a list of bits that you're looking for. My car must have parts from three dozen donor cars. I visit local u-pull-it yards at least once a month, and while 5000s are scarcer than they were, they can still be found.

AudiSpaulding

It works with the key, but the pot metal rod for the vacuum system is MIA, so if you happen to find another one of those with both rods on it and you don't need it send it my way