[Grizz1963]

Copied from a 206CC forum group written by the guy with the problem.



QUESTION


Any good ideas out there-I can't open the boot!
It should be easy, just unlock the car, put the key in the boot lock and turn to the left-but it doesn't work!
The problem is that the little bit of wire which connects the lock to the operating switch which is marginal in length at best and has probably bent a little so it won't make contact. If I turn the key any harder I will break the key off!
Next I tried accessing the boot by opening the roof. Yes, you're right, the cover in the boot is rolled up so the roof will not open and I can't open the boot to pull the cover over!
What about opening the roof manually. Well the key to switch to manual is in the boot!
You can't access the boot via the back seats because behind them is solid metal.
My local main dealer had a go - and failed miserably! They think the only solution is to drill out the boot lock, operate the connecting wire manually through the hole and then refit a new lock. For this little job they want to charge nearly £300! Apart from the cost there is nothing wrong with the lock itself and I don't want to destroy a perfectly good lock.
Anyone know a good car thief who can open it without damaging the bodywork?




ANSWER



Hooray - I'm in! Thanks for the steer Ron.
For anyone else who comes up with the same problem the procedure is:
1. Remove rear seats buy undoing the 4 10mm nuts holding them. It helps to have a long socket but an open ended spanner will do.

2. There is a 4" square access panel behind each seat. Inside the car and facing the rear (very cramped!) the right hand one is covered only by some boot lining which can be pushed out of the way.

3. With the help of a good torch the micro switch for the roof boot blind is visible on the far side of the boot out of reach even if you have a long arm! The micro switch for the roof needs to be pushed down to open the roof so I made up a 'special tool'. This consisted of 36" length of 1/2" square wood with a small nail in the end stick out at a right angle by about 1/2". The nail was too thin to push the switch down so I wrapped insulating tape round it until it was about 1/4" diameter. I then poked the rod through the access hole and hooked it into the boot blind catch to operate the microswitch.

4. Ignition on and the roof then was able to fold back. When the boot had hinged back I stopped the operation and removed the boot trim. The boot lock can then be opened by hand from the inside.

5. The roof can then be closed again and the boot opened with the key as normal.

It may be a bit fiddly but its better than spending £300 with a dealer and waiting 2 weeks for a new lock!

By the way, in the short term, in order to prevent the problem happening again I removed the short wire that goes from the lock to the central locking actuator which I left in the open position. The boot lock now continues to work perfectly but has to be locked and unlocked using the key. As you have to use the key anyway after the central locking has been on I can see very little problem in continuing to do this. Isn't technology wonderful - sometimes!


Will try again when the rain is gone.