So you know how one day, Franz said to Hans; "Hans, I sink ve should run ze locks viss a suction pump; ziss vill make zem move in a very smooth way, yah?" and Hans said, "Yah, Franz; zat would be incredible!"

Well, the suction pump method means that each lock mechanism is operated with a rubber hose. And we all know how rubber hose loves to hold up over time. Especially in a place like Iowa with -20 deg F winters and +103 deg F summers (seriously, those numbers are from the past eight months, I'm not even kidding), and plenty of humidity changes to boot.

Well, the rubber hose which runs from the suction pump to the lock mechanism for my trunk has sprung a leak. So tunky no unlocky. And to boot (pun intended), the key tumbler for my trunk hasn't turned since the day I bought it - I never worried though, because it was always more convenient to just unlock the whole car anyhow. On top of all that, 1997 model year was apparently before the advent of the safety release handle for ease of escape by kidnapping victims and small children.

So, my trunk won't open, and I can't fix the problem without first opening the trunk. FML.

In the words of Carey Elwes... "Call the locksmith!"

 

lol my 01 doesn't have the safety release either. good luck

 

I don't know if this would help, but if you climb through your back seats and unscrew the covering over the locking mechanism, maybe you can unlock the trunk that way. That's how I fixed a trunk problem of mine, even though it wasn't as involved as yours. It couldn't hurt right?

 

Not all A4s have foldable backseats.. Wow, this really is a tough one. I'd say getting a locksmith to pick your lock up is by far your best shot. Haven't been able to get mine up with a key either, but never cared...
You're right about the vacuum stuff, it's basically just a gigantic source of problems...

 

I always wondered about that... I don't see what advantages the vac pump setup could possibly have offered that made it a more viable option over an electrical setup.

 

I have fold-down back seats, but I haven't really looked into how to access the pump yet. Anyone got any experience with that?

As far as I know, the whole point of the vac system was to make the locks appear to move in a smooth, gentle motion; rather than an unrefined POP up and down. In other words, it's over-engineered cosmetics that no one really cares about.

 

Well thats gonna make things interesting for you lol. I know the pump is on the passenger's side behind the carpet, so I would imagine you're gonna have to fold down the driver's side seat to get at it. I dunno if you're gonna be able to get it out through the opening behind the seat though?

 

when i first got my car the trunk lock was frozen as well. go to an auto parts store and buy some lock de-icer (comes in a very small can). it has alcohol in it to melt ice but it also has some lubricating oil mixed in. the pressurized alcohol carries the oil all over the inside of the lock. now mine works as good as new.

 

^^Might just give that a shot... thanks!

 

Ahahahah, spot on! Observed and stated like a true Audi tech.

You can access the pump or the release with the trunk stuck shut by climbing in the back seats. You may have to finesse some of the trim away (read: cut or break) to get to it. I would try the trunk release behind the trunk carpet first.

EDIT: Just went and looked. All the screws to the trunk lid lining are accessible with the trunk closed. Pull that back and you should be able to release the trunk latch by hand.