Trunk - symptoms looking for a diagnosis

Jon2007E63P30 · 05-06-2012, 01:49 PM

Somehow I think the only thing I will hear is crickets, but here goes...

All electronic systems in the trunk lid stop working as soon as it is a little past half closed. That includes:
3rd brake light
License plate lights
Auto Trunk opening - need to use the key

If the trunk is fully open, everything works fine.

My guesses:
1. A connector is loose in the wiring harness where is has slack to allow the trunk to open and close.
2. Washed the car with a pressure sprayer yesterday and got water into some module in the trunk lid. The water moves in the module and stops shorting thngs out when open.

Wisdom from my fellow AMG fanatics!! And help. I am not great with startech. Also, any advice on removing these panels. Links to any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jon

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tri-star tech · 05-06-2012, 01:59 PM

The wiring harness breaks by the lower part of the hinge.

Jon2007E63P30 · 05-06-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tri-star tech

The wiring harness breaks by the lower part of the hinge.

Given your name, and clarity of your statement, I will get back to you if it really was "nothing but net"

This also matches my spidey senses.

Jon2007E63P30 · 05-06-2012, 06:29 PM

tri-star tech. Nothing but net. I totally need to eat my statement about "crickets"

Here are the pics. Now I know how to get to the top of the shock towers as well! First two pics are just to let everyone see what is in there and what we are talking about. The last is the actual break. In the first two pics, you can see a little slack in the harness as it goes along the trunk arm. I am going to remove the slack which will move the point where the harness needs to bend. I will also try to provide more relief in the bend.
For the repair, might have to add some wire, but no big deal. I do need to determine the potential of the wire. I am hoping it is the ground connection. I reason to believe this because one break is effecting 3 systems.

More pics when done. Oh yea, the wiring harness was dirty with black adhesive from the cloth electrical tape. This is after cleaning with goof-off and alcohol.

.trunzx · 05-06-2012, 06:33 PM

Exact same thing happened to me. Really annoying but at least it's an easy fix.

Jon2007E63P30 · 05-06-2012, 09:20 PM

So fix finished. Went with a mechanical splice. You can argue that it is not as reliable as soldering, but it was quick and I had the proper size for the wire guage.

Used a lot of fiberglass tape to give the harness more stiffness resulting in a large diameter bend. Here is the result, including a video in operation. Yes, that is my head peaking in waiting for the camera timer to take the photo.

You Tube

cahiil55k · 05-06-2012, 09:34 PM

Very poor design by MB but thanks for the fix and video.

Bellevue_E55 · 05-06-2012, 11:29 PM

same happend to mine I spliced it too and it lasted another year and then failed again. THis time I remembered I had an extended warranty and they are covering it -- woo hoo

slownrusty · 05-07-2012, 12:37 AM

Great thread and reference for us.
Congrats on the fix.

realien · 12-31-2012, 04:38 PM

Had the same issue and just fixed it, broken ground wire.. Great thread, thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantma...7632393860361/

05-06-2012, 06:29 PM	#4
Jon2007E63P30 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,540 Drives: 2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser	tri-star tech. Nothing but net. I totally need to eat my statement about "crickets" Here are the pics. Now I know how to get to the top of the shock towers as well! First two pics are just to let everyone see what is in there and what we are talking about. The last is the actual break. In the first two pics, you can see a little slack in the harness as it goes along the trunk arm. I am going to remove the slack which will move the point where the harness needs to bend. I will also try to provide more relief in the bend. For the repair, might have to add some wire, but no big deal. I do need to determine the potential of the wire. I am hoping it is the ground connection. I reason to believe this because one break is effecting 3 systems. More pics when done. Oh yea, the wiring harness was dirty with black adhesive from the cloth electrical tape. This is after cleaning with goof-off and alcohol. __________________

05-06-2012, 06:33 PM	#5
.trunzx Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 161 Drives: '03 E55	Exact same thing happened to me. Really annoying but at least it's an easy fix. __________________

05-06-2012, 09:34 PM	#7
cahiil55k MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,016 Drives: 211-55	Very poor design by MB but thanks for the fix and video. __________________ PC Tune * 180mm * 82mm * K&N * *JohnsonCM30 PLM shorties** * X-pipe * Secondary Cats Removed * Resonator Removed * Phen Spacers * -10 deg

05-06-2012, 11:29 PM	#8
Bellevue_E55 Super Member 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 597 Drives: 2006 Mercedes E55	same happend to mine I spliced it too and it lasted another year and then failed again. THis time I remembered I had an extended warranty and they are covering it -- woo hoo __________________ 2006 E55 Stock - Iridium Silver with Pano Roof, Parktronic, Dynamic Seats, Ventilated Seats, Keyless to Go Mods- X-Pipe, EuroCharged/Shardul Exhaust, Carlsson Lowering Module, K&N Filters, trunk subwoofer, Eurotek CF rear valence, Forgestar 19" Wheels My car is for sale - http://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-v...s-29k-obo.html

12-31-2012, 04:38 PM	#10
realien Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 57 Drives: 2005 e55 amg, '03 Ducati Monster	Had the same issue and just fixed it, broken ground wire.. Great thread, thanks! http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantma...7632393860361/ __________________ 2005 E55 AMG 2002 E55 AMG 2003 Ducati Monster 800 Dark i.e. Past rides --------------- 2003 Corvette Z06 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL 1993 Eagle Talon TSI Last edited by realien; 12-31-2012 at 04:40 PM. Reason: Typo

05-06-2012, 01:59 PM	#2
tri-star tech Member 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 121 Drives: 1998 C43 with 55 swap/1990 Ranger 347 swap	The wiring harness breaks by the lower part of the hinge.

05-07-2012, 12:37 AM	#9
slownrusty MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,188 Drives: '06 E55 K2	Great thread and reference for us. Congrats on the fix.

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