? key positions to access trunk

[Gianna]

The battery is dead on my 2000 540i sedan, and I can't get the trunk open; I seem to remember there is a trick to open the trunk with the key?

[sleuth255]

yup. Insert and turn fully CCW. It should move 90 degrees if its all not corroded from lack of use.

[crdiscoverer]

Almost assuredly it seized from lack of use. The problem of always using the remote, the electronic release or the button inside the cabin to open it. The lock never exercises and freezes up. I made a post a while back on how to free it up, but you will need to open the trunk first somehow. You can crawl under the car and feed it 12v to the alternator momentarily to open the trunk.

[edjack]

The last resort is to drill a hole under the license plate.

PM me for instructions.

[Iamthebull]

Not sure if it would help, but if it works on bolts/nuts, maybe some PB blaster squirted into the lock, and let it sit for half a day might release it.

[BostonJon]

What about supplying 12v to the batter terminal in the engine compartment?

[Iamthebull]

What about supplying 12v to the batter terminal in the engine compartment?

He can't pop the hood since he's locked out from the battery being dead.

[crdiscoverer]

He can't pop the hood since he's locked out from the battery being dead.

Well, we are assuming that, but the OP hasn't said he/she is locked out of the car altogether. Without power and a seized lock you can't open the trunk no matter what. There is a button in the cabin but that's also electronic.

OP: If you can open the doors, just pop the hood and connect jumper cables to the battery terminals.