Can’t open rear storage compartments

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:54 am

My facelift car doesn't have the cord in the boot.
Out of curiosity, I just tried pushing a credit card into the latch area and it opened the (unlocked) compartment quite easily. This may be worth a try, but I suppose it depends on how the lock has failed or jammed as to whether that would work for you. Good luck.

MKZ4000 · Post by **MKZ4000** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 8:36 pm

Ok, I tried the cord and it has no effect.

I tried the credit card suggestion but also couldn’t get it open but I’m not sure where I should be angling the card.

If you have a pic would be helpful

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:08 pm

MKZ4000 · Post by **MKZ4000** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:10 pm

Many thanks Zulu.

I will give it another try tommorrow

oldgitdave · Post by **oldgitdave** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:37 pm

MKZ4000 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:10 pm Many thanks Zulu.

I will give it another try tommorrow

I actually prised at the same point using one of those plastic panel removal tools. It didn't do any damage but I did have to be quite forceful.
Hope you get it open

.

MKZ4000 · Post by **MKZ4000** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 9:14 am

Credit card not working, just seems to bend. Will have to try something more substantial.

Ironically I never use the compartment but I still want it to open.

MKZ4000 · Post by **MKZ4000** » Sun Aug 15, 2021 8:14 pm

Just to update this.

I removed my hardtop today and raised the roof.

The compartment now opens perfectly. It’s like it was locked with the roof down

BumpyZ4 · Post by **BumpyZ4** » Wed Aug 18, 2021 2:58 am

MKZ4000 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 15, 2021 8:14 pm Just to update this.

I removed my hardtop today and raised the roof.

The compartment now opens perfectly. It’s like it was locked with the roof down

I'm going to have to see if mine locks with the roof down.

garethjack · Post by **garethjack** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 11:04 am

I have a similar problem. My console is locked and I don't have the string in the boot. Does anyone know how it can be opened? Thanks

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 11:15 am

garethjack wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 11:04 am I have a similar problem. My console is locked and I don't have the string in the boot. Does anyone know how it can be opened? Thanks

If you get a very thin blade (I used a metal rule) you can carefully ease it into the top and pop the latch.
I discovered that it isn't actually a solenoid, it's a small electric motor which looks similar to a scalextric car motor. It pushes a locking bolt across into the mechanism.
Once the door is open, undo the two screw headed plastic rivets under the top edge of the compartment. Then you can carefully prise off the top piece of trim.
This gives you access to the lock mechanism and the operating motor.
You may be able to take it apart and free it off.
If not, I have a spare working motor, but you need to be quick as I'm away on my hols Friday afternoon!

garethjack · Post by **garethjack** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 11:21 am

Thank you. I'll have a go at this in the next couple of days and see how I get on. I seem to have bought a car with a decent engine but more plastic problems than Katie Price.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 11:34 am

garethjack wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 11:21 am Thank you. I'll have a go at this in the next couple of days and see how I get on. I seem to have bought a car with a decent engine but more plastic problems than Katie Price.

When you get the trim off you'll see the lock assembly and the motor is in a small plastic case to the left as you look rearwards. You will need to unscrew the lock assembly first and lift it out. You'll see that the lock piston has a groove on the end which the lock fits over.
You should then be able to unscrew the lock motor, move it to the right and lift it out.
I would advise the use of a magnetic screwdriver as the tiny screws will never be found if you drop them in there.
Once out, it is simple to separate the halves of the motor and clean it up.
Wire it across a battery and see if it moves, then swap the wires and it should go the other way. Do NOT try this with the casing apart as the rod pings out.
You'll see it is a hollow plastic rod with an internal 'rifling' so as the motor spins it moves in and out.
Mine was full of old grease and a simple clean and a bit of vaseline got it working fine again.

foddysavva · Post by **foddysavva** » Fri Oct 14, 2022 8:50 pm

Wait lol you mean both compartments open? I can only open the bottom compartment when I press the button in. If I do it on the top one nothing happens.... What's in the top one anyway? Anything interesting?

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Fri Oct 14, 2022 9:09 pm

foddysavva wrote: ↑Fri Oct 14, 2022 8:50 pm Wait lol you mean both compartments open? I can only open the bottom compartment when I press the button in. If I do it on the top one nothing happens.... What's in the top one anyway? Anything interesting?

No the top one doesn't open, the button was initially there to unlatch the roof from it's lowered position manually.
It doesn't really achieve anything other than to confuse the uninitiated

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Fri Oct 14, 2022 9:12 pm

garethjack wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 11:21 am Thank you. I'll have a go at this in the next couple of days and see how I get on. I seem to have bought a car with a decent engine but more plastic problems than Katie Price.

Incidentally, did you get your door fixed?
I still have the lock and motor if you need them?

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com