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Trunk auto popping open problem 2003 C240

Old Jun 7, 2010 | 04:25 PM
  #1  
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2003 C240
Trunk auto popping open problem 2003 C240

Hello fellow MB owners, once again i post a rather simple issue to the wonderful forum, in hopes of getting a simple answer.
I searched the forum for this issue, when you press the trunk release, either via the key fob or the button on the driver side door, that the trunk unlocks but doesn't open UP by itself.
I found that there are spring settings behind the trunk liners. first, the driver side setting was on the middle hole, and the passenger was on the first (least tension) hole. I have played around with them where i set both to the max tension, and of course the trunk popped open by itself!!!

Now you may ask yourself, why is this idiot posting this question if he already solved the problem. That is a very interesting point, with that setting, i noticed that the trunk opens so hard, it almost looks like it is going to smash the back window. Not something i would like to happen. Not sure it has that full range of motion to do so, but i dont want to take the chance.
So what is my solution? can i set both driver and passenger sides at different tensions? I tried max on driver and middle on passenger side, and it wasnt enough to bring it up by itself.

as a side note, I only recently purchased this car, it has a spoiler on the back, so i m wondering if that factory or was installed after the fact?
maybe the 03 models should be able to pop open like the newer ones?
thanks all for the help
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 05:41 PM
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What you have described after fixing your problem is proper function. I have had two Mercedes over the past 4 years (plus 17 years of my childhood on top of that), and that is the way they work.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 07:01 PM
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max tension and you'll be fine.

2003 does not have a spoiler. previous owner probably added it. stock tension is set for one without a trunk spoiler. if you have a trunk spoiler just set the tension higher.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
max tension and you'll be fine.

2003 does not have a spoiler. previous owner probably added it. stock tension is set for one without a trunk spoiler. if you have a trunk spoiler just set the tension higher.
+1 this fixed my problem when I added a spoiler.

If that doesn't work then you might need to change your spring. Patrick's still didn't work.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 08:49 PM
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2003 C240
thx all for the replies. I was just a little worried that the access force of opening with the max tension may cause damage in the hinges in the long run.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 09:37 PM
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2003 C240
Originally Posted by FrankW
max tension and you'll be fine.

2003 does not have a spoiler. previous owner probably added it. stock tension is set for one without a trunk spoiler. if you have a trunk spoiler just set the tension higher.
Frank, so this "spoiler" isnt stock?

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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 09:40 PM
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The spoilers were only on the 2007 Sport sedans and the AMG sedans. It is the same spoiler from my car, but was not original on yours. Is that your car?
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 09:45 PM
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2003 C240
Originally Posted by bdgdl08
The spoilers were only on the 2007 Sport sedans and the AMG sedans. It is the same spoiler from my car, but was not original on yours. Is that your car?
yes it is.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 10:01 PM
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Have you done any of that to your car, or did you buy it that way? I'm quite a fan of that color blue.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 10:37 PM
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2003 C240
Originally Posted by bdgdl08
Have you done any of that to your car, or did you buy it that way? I'm quite a fan of that color blue.
thanks,
No i was fortunate enough to buy this car from a previous owner that had good taste. I know what you mean, you dont see many MB in this color.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 10:41 PM
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It's very well-modded - AMG body kit and all. Looks nicely tinted, too. Even the grill looks good with the blue. Only thing I'm not a total fan of are the wheels, but they're not the worst I've seen. Overall, a very pretty car. The drop does alot for it, too.
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 11:37 PM
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2003 C240
Originally Posted by bdgdl08
It's very well-modded - AMG body kit and all. Looks nicely tinted, too. Even the grill looks good with the blue. Only thing I'm not a total fan of are the wheels, but they're not the worst I've seen. Overall, a very pretty car. The drop does alot for it, too.
Thank you again.
You certainly know much more about the mods on this car then I do.
I had no clue about a body kit. The wheels are ok, i would have been ok with stock wheels, but since it came this way, ill take it. 18" btw.
What do you mean by the drop? sorry if thats a silly question
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 12:30 AM
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The car has been lowered. If you look at this picture of a stock C240 (almost identical to the one we used to have), you can see the differences - the biggest being the ride height. There is a significant amount of gap between the tire and the fender.



Your car sits more like a stock sport suspension. Overall, your car looks alot more like a facelift sport model.
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 12:52 AM
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2003 C240
Originally Posted by bdgdl08
The car has been lowered. If you look at this picture of a stock C240 (almost identical to the one we used to have), you can see the differences - the biggest being the ride height. There is a significant amount of gap between the tire and the fender.



Your car sits more like a stock sport suspension. Overall, your car looks alot more like a facelift sport model.
thx for the info. i figured it sat lower the stock but i thought it was because of the 18 " lower profile tires.
Anyway, i love my little ride, i think i did pretty good.
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 12:55 AM
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You've purchased a great car! No doubt. I'm glad you're happy so far!
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 01:04 AM
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My trunk opens nice and smooth. Doesn't thrash about like a Taurus one or anything. It shouldn't open with such force that it looks like it will hit the rear window. How much do those spoilers weigh, anyway?
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 01:04 AM
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Don't worry about the popping trunk. Just don't leave things on top of it when you pop the trunk. LOL.
As for the car, it really is nice looking. I can pass on the rims, but they're pretty subtle and match so it could be much worse (glad it isn't).
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 01:06 AM
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Not much. It doesn't thrash about, but it will rock the car forward and back. I can't imagine it weighs that much, but I guess it's enough to need extra force to get it to open all the way.
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 07:38 AM
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Pretty car - don't worry about the trunk lid - that's fine. To finish off your car's good looks you should fit Clear headlamps or Bix. Looks like it has clear fogs already.
Good luck
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 02:05 PM
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First of all thanks for all your kind words and help. This is a great forum!!

Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
My trunk opens nice and smooth. Doesn't thrash about like a Taurus one or anything. It shouldn't open with such force that it looks like it will hit the rear window. How much do those spoilers weigh, anyway?
I have no idea of the weight, but the "thrashing" is what worried me.

Originally Posted by nrg_mike
Don't worry about the popping trunk. Just don't leave things on top of it when you pop the trunk. LOL.
As for the car, it really is nice looking. I can pass on the rims, but they're pretty subtle and match so it could be much worse (glad it isn't).
That wont be a problem. I wont put anything on top of the trunk, car or hood! Thanks for the compliment, rims are ok, i do like the fact the color matches. Not the classiest of rims for a MB but still nice.

Originally Posted by bdgdl08
Not much. It doesn't thrash about, but it will rock the car forward and back. I can't imagine it weighs that much, but I guess it's enough to need extra force to get it to open all the way.
YES! the car moved forward and back, thats when I got worried about my back window! there is plenty of clearance, but still worried me.

Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
Pretty car - don't worry about the trunk lid - that's fine. To finish off your car's good looks you should fit Clear headlamps or Bix. Looks like it has clear fogs already.
Good luck
I ll look into the headlamps. Silly question, Bix?
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by fmaalouf73

I ll look into the headlamps. Silly question, Bix?
Bix are what we call the factory bi xenon headlights. They are awesome best mod i have done.
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by samaritrey
Bix are what we call the factory bi xenon headlights. They are awesome best mod i have done.
Thanks for the clarification, so that mod does not entail replacement of the entire headlight assembly? only the bulbs?
If so, where would I be able to purchase them? and what benefits do you see?
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by fmaalouf73
Thanks for the clarification, so that mod does not entail replacement of the entire headlight assembly? only the bulbs?
If so, where would I be able to purchase them? and what benefits do you see?
Well for proper bix yes you replace the entire assembly with the bix one. It is a projector. The real bix go for 700 up to 1000 for a pair. you can get the cheaper if you by the left and right separate i got a steal on mine that way. They do sell hid kits that are h7 hid bulbs and a ballast. The problem is they create glare which is not nice to other drivers. GL
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 07:58 AM
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Bix =


Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jun 9, 2010 at 08:04 AM.
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 12:20 PM
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VERY NICE Gyln
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