CLK 320 Total lock out

[dryerman]

CLK 320 Cdi. W209.
Been parked up in the barn for a few weeks, inc the recent cold spell. Went out to it yesterday to find it locked with completely dead battery. Unresponsive to the electronic key locks or the manual blade key locks, in both door and the boot. Quite a dilemma now.... how to power the battery if you can't get access to it..... Clearly I needed to open the bonnet, by somehow releasing the two latches, get to the battery. Internet proved a bit hit and miss, as it was never quite the same model of car or situation. Following some advice I removed the front wheels and the front part of the plastic wheel arch under shields, this was to get access to release the latches from underneath with a long screwdriver, alas there is only access to the N/S latch. However under the O/S wheel arch I found the main bonnet release cable connector, joining the one cable from inside the car, to the two latch cables, flip the cover open and just pull on the twin cable part......and hey presto bonnet opens, battery re-charged all good.

Hope this fix is helpful to someone, as it's preferable to the alternatives of breaking glass or drilling locks. Cheers

 

[ALFAitalia]

Another way in with a flat battery that people forget about is via the tow bar electrics. Had to do that on a friends E Class recently......battery connected across the main live /ground....BINGO. Advice that's no use at all if you don't have a towbar of course!!....which you wont on a CLK!!

 

[JB052]

Another way in with a flat battery that people forget about is via the tow bar electrics. Had to do that on a friends E Class recently......battery connected across the main live /ground....BINGO. Advice that's no use at all if you don't have a towbar of course!!....which you wont on a CLK!!

My CLK has a detachable tow-bar, ordered and fitted from new.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Cool....I did not think any 209 CLKs where type approved for tow bars....everyday is a school day. So at least you can get power into yours to unlock it if you have too!