I just acquired a very nice 1993 245 with 76,000 miles on it. It is a very clean car, I am the second owner. However, the lock on the storage compartment at the rear has sand (or something) in it and I can't get the key in to unlock it. Is there anyway to get at the lock without taking up the entire floor and messing up the carpet? Also, the rear high level stop light and the license plate lights aren't working. It isn't the bulb, so I suspect it is the ground. The rear window wiper and heater are working. The brake lights in the tail lights are working and all of the other lights are working.

If you cannot clean the lock or unlock the storage compartment, I think you can open the compartment by removing the two phillips screws in the forward floor panel. This is the panel that the storage door is hinged to.

Then, if you can lift the hinge (front edge of the door), the door should slide forward and the lock tongue should (may) disengage. This would allow you to lift the door, loosen the lock, and perhaps remove it. Worst case, you may need to buy a new lock.

I've had about eight or nine 245s over the years -- four in the yard now -- and never once have I locked that stupid latch.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I think it's a different key than the ignition key.Did you get another key with your awesome find?
The accesories in the tailgate(rear defrost, wiper, license plate light, lock, third brake light) are controlled by wires that go through the hinge.They are most likely broken in the hinge.Sounds like both sides, the drivers side is the defrost and license plate lights.The right is the lock motor, wiper.
Phil
--
pstone

Thanks to everyone for your help. I probed the lock a little more with a small screwdriver and a paper clip and found some small pieces of paper, so I used a vacuum cleaner to suck out the rest and it worked! The brake light was disconnected in the tail gate, so I took that apart and re-connected it and taped it. The license plate light bulbs were both burned out. I am a Happy Camper with this car!

Actually, the 'master' key should operate all locks, whereas the 'valet' key does the doors and ignition. The only difference between the 2 keys is that the 'valet' key it thicker and won't fit in the glovebox or rear storage locks. If the key that won't go into the storage compartment also won't open the glovebox yet fits the ignition, just go to a hardware store and have a new key made. Almost NO hardware stores have the thicker blank for the valet key!