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Anyone have any bright ideas about getting a trunk open that has been locked from the outside? My key broke off inside it and is now deep inside. Unless I locate some really really tiny pliers, my only hope is to find a really powerful magnet. Barring that, I'm going to drill through the trunk latch mechanism. Before I take that final step, I'm soliciting ideas.
Thanks. |  |  | | 08-12-2007, 01:42 AM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: G-dale, California Posts: 1,698 |
cant you open it from the inside of the car and then open up the key compartment and then disassemble it some how and maybe push or pull the key out? __________________ Live Everyday As If Its Your Last
A friend is someone who is willing to step into a flame to save you........aka a 318ti   | | | | | 08-12-2007, 01:58 AM | #3 | | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 |
I took the magnet off of an old electric can opener. It's pretty srtong, I could lift my hood with it! Anyway, I keep it in my toolbox and attach it to my ratchets and screwdrivers when working in tight spaces. Something like that would be perfect if your key is magnetic.
Since most of the key is in the lock, could you just turn the lock with a flathead screwdriver and push the button in to open the trunk? If so, you could try to blow the key out with an air compressor and a powerful air blower.
And as a last resort, VERY CAREFULLY place a TINY dab of JB Weld or superglue on the tip of the remaining part of the broken key or a jewlers screwdriver and hold it in place for a few minutes until the glue or epoxy dries and then gently retract the key from the lock.
If you try this, you better smoke a cigarette or put a dip in because you're going to need an extremely steady hand to accomplish this without glueing the key to the lock cylinder. One slip and you're screwed. Good luck! | | | | | 08-12-2007, 04:24 AM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stamford, CT <-> Boston, MA Posts: 1,393 |
Tweezers or something of the sorts? Shim something around the key and then apply pressure to slide it out? You could try one of those dental floss needles. It's a very thin piece of plastic, you could slide it down the key hole with a cut up aluminum soda can, maybe it can grab on to something? I haven't really tried any of these.. lol If you can get some kind of an edge on the key, that might work.
Just tossing stuff up after a long drive and fatigue... __________________ 
BMWCCA #403399
2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman, 6-Speed
Loaded
2001 325xi, Winter Package, 5-Speed
Traded
1998 318ti, Active, Automatic, TOTAL LOSS R.I.P. 10/20/08
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts . H&R Sport Springs . Strut Reinforcement Plates . RSM Reinforcement Plates . Fogg Airbox . X-Brace . Bosal Brospeed Catback | | | | | 08-12-2007, 04:27 AM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 |
Use a very very thin wire to fish it out?
Dave __________________
Dave - PDX
1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan.
2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | | | 08-12-2007, 05:26 AM | #6 | | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 |
Have Chris Angel mindfreak it out  | | | | | 08-12-2007, 06:59 AM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: G-dale, California Posts: 1,698 |
Quote: Originally Posted by cooljess76  Have Chris Angel mindfreak it out | lmao FTW  __________________ Live Everyday As If Its Your Last
A friend is someone who is willing to step into a flame to save you........aka a 318ti | | | | | 08-12-2007, 03:22 PM | #8 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 |
Hi guys. The trunk is open. . albeit not quite in the manner that I would have liked. Unfortunately, there is no way to open it from the inside . . . I suppose removing the backseat would allow that. . . but I didn't feel up to that task as well. I bought some really small tweezers from radioshack but the key was so far lodged that I could not get a grip strong enough to pull it out. I tried turning the lock with a screwdriver and liberal applications of wd40 with no effect other than the screwdriver started to get twisted itself. I wish I saw the JB Weld/superglue idea before I did this:
Pretty much I pried up the trunk and used a hacksaw to cut through the latch. Well, I wasn't planning on selling the trunk parts anyway. . . | | | | | 08-12-2007, 03:26 PM | #9 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 867 |
I never use the key in the hatch....mine locks/unlock with the driver's door....... __________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] | | | | | 08-12-2007, 05:43 PM | #10 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,152 |
Why didn't you pay a local locksmith to extract the broken key?  They have all the tools to help you out. It would've been worth a try. | | | | | 08-12-2007, 06:11 PM | #11 | | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 |
you coulda paid Paris Hilton to suck it out | | | | | 08-12-2007, 09:41 PM | #12 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 |
Quote: Originally Posted by StealthBimmer Why didn't you pay a local locksmith to extract the broken key? They have all the tools to help you out. It would've been worth a try. | It was not that important (this is on the 325is that I bought to fix my ti and will be parting out soon), would take too much time (the 325is was parked at work and in order to do some stuff this weekend, I needed to break into the trunk to get a floor jack and jack stands. . . no way I could get a locksmith over saturday evening or sunday [today]). So yeah . . .that's the long and short of it. | | | | | 08-12-2007, 09:42 PM | #13 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 |
Quote: Originally Posted by cooljess76 you coulda paid Paris Hilton to suck it out | Damn. . . I'm sure she could have gotten here within a couple hours too! | | | | | 08-12-2007, 09:44 PM | #14 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 |
Quote: Originally Posted by marleymon I never use the key in the hatch....mine locks/unlock with the driver's door....... | Ahh. . it was on a 325is . . not the hatchback. Speaking of that. . in my very tired state yesterday, I accidentally drilled my 318ti lock. . .then realized it wasn't the 325is. The key now no longer works in the hatch though it still locks and unlocks with the car. . so that's fine. It's just annoying now that I can't lock the hatch and hand over the valet key anymore. . | | | | | 08-12-2007, 09:49 PM | #15 | | Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal318ti Posts: 1,574 |
Quote: Originally Posted by zboot Damn. . . I'm sure she could have gotten here within a couple hours too! | LOL.... you guys are funny!!! | | | | | |
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