NYCGLK

It seems that there are a few ppl (myself included) having issues with power tailgate, so I figured we can aggregate the problems and solutions here.

One common issue seems to be when you push the button tailgate opens and closes right away. This has happened to me using any of the 3 buttons (remote, inside, key). If I hold the button down for a bit longer then on 2nd or 3rd attempt it opens fine. Had similar issue when closing only once. I'm still under impression that this happens for a reason, I just don't know the reason. Somebody mentioned something about bike rack mode that might be active (have no idea what that is).

On a side note:
Interior button (on the door) will open the gate but will not close it unless the the key is in the ignition and turned (to postion 2 I believe). You can also adjust how much it's opened/closed with it (if you have something sticking out of the trunk).

Lastly there is no auto-stop function when tailgate is opening like when it's closing.

Tate

This is not a problem, but is designed that way. The manual says to close you need to have key in position 2

Onto your problem, did you try to hold the button longer while opening on the first try?

NYCGLK

yea I know it's not a problem, but wanted to mention it, as I thought the button didn't work to close the tailgate, and then I read the manual.

Hard to tell as this doesn't happend often, so I don't ususally pay attention to how long I hold the button for. When the issue happens, then I purposly hold the button down longer, and I think if you hold it till after it starts openning past that certain point, it'll open fine. But I've experinced this maybe 5 times over 3 months, so didn't have much chance to experiment. Once I opend and closed power gate 10-15 times in a row, worked like an atomic clock every time.

Tate

I find that I usually hold the button (inside car or on keyfob) for a few secs and everytime it opens fine.

EnigmaAW

remember i had the problem with my power gate within the first month i had my glk. it went back to the dealer 3 times in that 30 days. they had to replace the motor in mine. yours may need and adjustment. but definately bring it in. it'll only make you madder and madder! if you do a search, you'll find the my full story.

jywu88

I posted in another thread too about this problem. Yesterday and today I exprienced twice again. I find no matter how long I pressed the button, sometimes it just doens't open. It always opens slightly and closes. For both these two times, I had to manually open or close. And after that, it works fine again. I wanted to bring it to the dealers however because it doesn't happen everytime I wonder if the dealer will check it thoroughly. This is by far the most annoying thing I had with my GLK... I agree with you, there must be a reason for this.

NYCGLK

Yea I remember your had a problem, but you got show room car if I remember correctly.

As jywu said I can bring it in but the issue might never happen at dealer, as I've tried opening it 10-15 times and it worked perfectly fine everytime. I'll ask dealer when I do my complimentary tire rotation at 5k, unless it gets worse.

NYCGLK

So you were not able to open it with remote at all? How many times did you try before giving up and doing it manually?

EnigmaAW

i'd recommend trying it first thing in the morning, since the car has been sitting all night. that's when mine really acted up. i scheduled an appointment and brought it to the dealer when they opened, and let them open it first.

NYCGLK

I'll try tonight, I don't drive to work, only to the gym in the evenings. However, I had issues with tailgate anywhere else, but where I keep the car, so doubt that sitting for long time has anything to do with my problem.

jywu88

That's correct. I tried with my remote for at least 5 times and eac time it wasn't successful.

uwo93

sporadically having the same problem with auto tailgate. seems to get hung up on weather stripping and stops.

MilesBFree

I thought I had a problem, but found that if I hold the button down for about 2 seconds instead of giving it a quick click, it then works every time.

Baby G

+1 My cuz who drives the GL550, said to do the same thing, since then, I have not had any issues.

NYCGLK

So yesterday at the airport this happened again, where the tailgate opens and closes right back. This time tho, holding the button for longer period of time didn't do anything. It started opening and just stopped (opened about an inch) while I was holding the button down. When I released it just stayed slightly open, so I had to just open it manually. This is somewhat embarrassing when this happens in public places.

EnigmaAW

i feel for ya, since i started this cool trend!! j/k save yourself the frustration and just take it in to get repaired!

Baby G

Sorry to hear about your issue with the tailgate, honestly just take it in for service. Less headache in the long term

NYCGLK

Yea I'll go to the dearer when it's time for the first complimentary tire rotation. I don't use tailgate often enough to be really bothered by this so I don't feel like wasting half a day on this, esp. when weather is nice.

Baby G, I think it's time to update what you drive.

BostonPrince

Sorry to hear about your tailgate probls NYC, hope it gets fixed...By the way, do you really need tire rotations in the 4wd..BP

NYCGLK

of course, you still steer with front wheels, which causes them to wear faster.

BostonPrince

Gotcha.

BostonPrince

How often do you do it?

EnigmaAW

i'm going to do mine every 5k. you'll only get around 15-20k miles out the tires. gotta love high end low profiles!

NYCGLK

yea on my old car is used to rotate when I switched between winter and summer, which is about every 5-6k miles. I think 5K is what recommended.

BostonPrince

thanks veerodder and NYCGLK