1982 533i - unable to unlock trunk

[Ewalk]

Inherited a 1982 533i from my brother in-law and just trying to clean it out. Poor condition, anti-freeze in oil (but it has a replacement head and gasket set in the trunk). Cloth interior is in good shape. However, problem is the the key inserts into trunk lock and turns but does not open the trunk. I am not familiar with these cars - does the trunk lock require the battery to be installed? Currently no battery and I recall working with my brother in-law on his 535i when his battery was too weak to allow unlocking of the doors.
Any help would be appreciated!

[shogun]

Use realoem.com for drawings and part numbers.
The actuator arm has a ball at the end and that might be damaged and it came out from the plastic piece where it is supposed to sit, resulting in a non working button. There is a way to open it, but it does involve drilling a 1/16 inch or so hole.

There is a rectangular black surround piece around the trunk push button lock cylinder. Drill a small hole just at the junction of the top of this surround piece with the sheet metal. Drill parallel to the push button, and exactly above it, in the midline of the car. The drill will penetrate outer sheet metal, then drop through a space, and hit the thicker metal of the lock assembly. Drill through this. The drill bit should penetrate through this a a depth of 2 7/8 inches (measured from the outer surface of the push button. Then just advance the bit (without drilling) another half-inch or so. It will hit the lock's opening mechanism. Give it a small push, and the trunk lid will pop open.The hole will not be visible unless you kneel down and look for it. It can be sealed with a small dab of silicone, and you can use the hole again if you are ever locked out of the trunk.
Copied from another forum.

[south42]

I would try turning it with another pulling up first. At times can get sticky. If that does not work try shoguns way.


Andy