trunk release problem
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 421
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
trunk release problem
This just happened today. The light in the trunk switch is always on, and I can't open the trunk with this switch or the remote key. I can however open the trunk with the blade key. I did a search here and only saw one person had the same problem, but no solution was posted. Does anyone know how to reset this light or know a solution to this problem?
Damn it! I'm spending way too much time trying to fix all these little here and there problems. Just got this car a few weeks ago, and new problems began to surface: rough idling during cold start, AC slow leak, radio LCD screen burnt out, fuel gauage not working, the clock LCD is burnt out, and now the trunk release. I wish the Germans could have learned some tricks from the Japanese on electrical stuff.
Damn it! I'm spending way too much time trying to fix all these little here and there problems. Just got this car a few weeks ago, and new problems began to surface: rough idling during cold start, AC slow leak, radio LCD screen burnt out, fuel gauage not working, the clock LCD is burnt out, and now the trunk release. I wish the Germans could have learned some tricks from the Japanese on electrical stuff.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Canterbury, New Zealand
W202 C280 94
1st, your car is probably American built, next try pulling trip switch on boot lid out 1 click,
if your door locks are working its probably a vacuum leak inside the boot lid,
if your door locks are working its probably a vacuum leak inside the boot lid,
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 421
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
When the doors are locked, and after about ~15 minutes, the light in the trunk switch goes off, then I can remotely open the trunk as often as I want. But when the doors are unlocked, the light in the trunk switch never goes off, and I can no longer open the trunk remotely.
Thanks for the feedback, any input is appreciated. I'm still clueless.
Last edited by SZMB; Jul 4, 2009 at 02:43 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Canterbury, New Zealand
W202 C280 94
Hi, Sorry, was too sleepy when I sent that last reply.
I'm assuming now that it is a 98 C280?
Seems it has the same system as a W210 E class,
This is what I have about the system your car should have,
Remote trunk release is pneumatic controlled system. Remote trunk release can only be operated when vehicle is unlocked. Pneumatic system equipment (PSE) control module receives signal from remote trunk release switch through CAN data lines.
If Trunk is opened with remote transmitter, PSE control module receives signal from electronic ignition lock control module through CAN data lines. The electronic ignition lock control module receives signal from either door control modules or roof control panel control module.
you have a transmitter that releases the trunk,
you may need to run a scan to see if Fault codes are stored for the PSE module.
Also maybe check the actuator in the trunk lid.
Can show you schematics etc if you're planning to take a look
I'm assuming now that it is a 98 C280?
Seems it has the same system as a W210 E class,
This is what I have about the system your car should have,
Remote trunk release is pneumatic controlled system. Remote trunk release can only be operated when vehicle is unlocked. Pneumatic system equipment (PSE) control module receives signal from remote trunk release switch through CAN data lines.
If Trunk is opened with remote transmitter, PSE control module receives signal from electronic ignition lock control module through CAN data lines. The electronic ignition lock control module receives signal from either door control modules or roof control panel control module.
you have a transmitter that releases the trunk,
you may need to run a scan to see if Fault codes are stored for the PSE module.
Also maybe check the actuator in the trunk lid.
Can show you schematics etc if you're planning to take a look
Last edited by MrSmith@kol; Jul 7, 2009 at 05:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 421
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
If it's operated by a cable, the cable is not broken. I couldn't find the cable; if there's one, it's probably sealed inside the trunk lid. Every once a while, when the trunk release sensor light (on the center console) goes off, i can release the trunk remotely. There's something wrong with the trunk release sensor or door lock sensor. I found the vacuum/actuator system just above the battery in the trunk, every time when the door lock or trunk release button (when the light sensor is off) is pressed, i can hear this vacuum system is activated.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Canterbury, New Zealand
W202 C280 94
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 421
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
Thanks MrSmith for sending over the diagrams. I open the trunk and located the PSE control module (a vacuum system I believe) just above the battery, and played around with the vacuum hoses, just making sure all connections were tight. After doing that, for whatever reason, the trunk can now be open remotely at any given time. Maybe it was just a loose vacuum hose. Thanks all for the help.
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