The most common reason why a Mercedes SL 500 trunk won’t open is that some form of valet lock feature is engaged. Check your glove box, Mercedes me app settings, and/or your trunk lock to make sure your valet locks are off.

Of course, valet mode is not the only possible cause of your trunk troubles. In this article from

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What to do if your Mercedes SL 500 trunk won’t open

If your Mercedes SL 500 trunk won’t open, don’t rush to the dealer just yet. Try investigating these options first!

Most common cause: is valet mode accidentally activated?

Your Mercedes has a function called valet mode. This mode restricts access to the trunk, limits the power output of your car, and locks out part of your infotainment system.

It’s easy to forget that valet mode is on or to switch it on by accident. Depending on the year of your SL 500, there are a few places to check if your trunk is valet locked.

Look for a valet mode switch in your glove compartment

In newer models, a “valet service mode” is offered through the Mercedes me app suite. Check your settings to make sure it is turned off

On older vehicles, you can manually lock the trunk to a valet lock position. If you turn the key to the horizontal position and remove the key in that position it will be valet locked and won’t unlock with your key fob or cabin switch.

Other possible causes

If the valet system is off, you could be experiencing a number of other problems. Here are some other possible causes:

Something jammed up in the latch: If a bag or clothing or something gets caught up in the trunk latch, it can cause the trunk to get stuck shut

Broken latch: similarly, if your latch is damaged or broken it can make it difficult to open the trunk

Electrical malfunction: A blown fuse or damaged wiring are pretty common causes of Mercedes trunk issues

Broken key fob: If you can open the trunk with the handle or pop it with the cabin switch, the issue might just be with your key fob

These issues are a bit harder to properly diagnose. If you are unsure about how to investigate these problems, then it might just be time to seek professional assistance. A dealership or mechanic will have the tools and skills to inspect your fuses, wiring, latches, and locks to get to the bottom of your trunk troubles.

MORE:

How to replace Mercedes-Benz tail lights

How to manually open a Mercedes SL 500 trunk

Sometimes to investigate why your trunk won’t open, you can open it manually from the outside or by accessing the manual trunk release inside the trunk. This is also handy information if your battery dies when there is valuable cargo in your trunk.

First, you can manually pop the trunk from the outside. If your trunk has a release button, holding the button down will pop the trunk. If your trunk has a latch, then remove the key from your fob, and look for a key slot next to the latch. To manually pop your trunk, insert your key, turn it to the left and open the latch while the key is in the 11 o’clock position.

The Mercedes SL 500 does have an emergency release button. This should be an obvious-looking button or latch that is inside the trunk, so you’ll have to access your trunk from the back seat. However, on newer models, this button is electrically powered so it won’t work if the battery is dead.

Cost of trunk repair for Mercedes SL 500

The cost of fixing your Mercedes SL 500 trunk will depend on the nature of the problem and on your location.

You can expect to pay around $300 to $400 to replace a broken latch, trunk lock actuator, or release cable. Just adjusting a trunk latch will cost around $100 less.

If you have been in an accident or if your trunk has been severely damaged by a storm, you will, of course, be facing a much more expensive repair. Replacing the entire trunk lid will cost around $800 for the part alone. That’s why it is important to have adequate

collision

and

comprehensive

coverage on your insurance policy, so you aren’t left paying for these pricey repairs out of pocket.

MORE:

Are Mercedes-Benz expensive to maintain?

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