E-Class Coupe (C238) & Cabrio (A238) 2017 - E200, E220, E300, E350, E400, E450 [Coupes &Cabriolets]

A238 Electric Trunk Divider Harness Repair

Old Apr 26, 2026 | 10:38 AM
  #1  
Sleeper Benz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 577
Likes: 197
From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
A238 Electric Trunk Divider Harness Repair

The electric trunk divider was not working on my 2018 A238 E400 Cabriolet. You could move it manually up & down without it binding so I assumed the internal motor and gears were still good.

At first I looked at the red push button on the inner trunk lid. It lit up but tested intermittent at the switch leads. It looked a bit corroded so I disassembled it and cleaned the internal contacts. There are some very small parts inside that switch. I'd do not recommend taking it apart. Just soak it with some D5 switch cleaner or get a new one. The no electric up/ down divider problem still persisted.

I understand that the wiring harness in the rubber loom on the left side of the truck lid could be suspect as it flexs every time the trunk lid is opened and others have commented on finding broken wires inside that.

I had the left inner trunk cover pulled back to look at the back of the taillight when I checked the lower end of that rubber loomed trunk lid wire harness. Sure enough, lots of green & white corrosion was visible inside and one of the pins were broke off. I cleaned the connector ends with D5 and bypassed the broken pin wire in the connectors with an external 24 gauge wire. That fixed the electric divider so now it operates with the push button properly !

















Reply
Old Apr 26, 2026 | 07:42 PM
  #2  
Gazam's Avatar
Junior Member
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 73
Likes: 31
Good fix. Those harnesses in the left trunk lid rubber boot are a known weak point on the A238. Flexing every time you open and close eventually snaps wires inside the insulation. The corrosion you saw is typical once moisture creeps into cracked insulation.
Your bypass with the 24 gauge wire is exactly the right approach, no need to replace the whole harness for one broken wire. And good tip on that switch, tiny parts inside, not worth the headache. D5 soak or replacement is the way.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:34 PM.