Jun 12, 2015, 07:03 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: How to Repair Power to the Trunk
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs
No power to trunk, 3rd brake light, or license plate lamps
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Utica, NY
CLK 430 2003, E350 4Matic 2006
[E350 4Matic 2006] Yesterday, a msg came on stating that trunk lid third brake light was off. Then found that not only the trunk was locked,and once opened mechanically with the key, found the interior lights were off and also the license plate bulbs were black and needed to be replaced. Was not happy.
Just found the brilliant solution from habamark and am really grateful. Turns out that the "brown" wire was severed. So that should be an easy fix!
Just found the brilliant solution from habamark and am really grateful. Turns out that the "brown" wire was severed. So that should be an easy fix!
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
w211 e320
e320 trunk not opening thankyou for your help worked a treat
If your vehicle has lost power to the trunk unit, and lights, there is a very simple fix. This is fairly common problem on W211 models. The wires get caught it trunk hardware and get severed. The dealer wanted to charge me $250 for something that took me 20 minutes and less that $10 to complete. Here's what I did.
1. Use the key to manually open the trunk.
2. Remove two plastic pins holding carpet/panel on the driver side of trunk. Pull carpet/panel away carefully.
3. Remove plastic cover on left trunk hinge by unfastening pin at top of cover.
4. Follow the wires until you find where they are severed.
5. Strip wires slightly.
6. Put a piece of shrink tubing over one side of the wires.
7. twist severed wires back together where you stripped and exposed the copper.
8. Solder the wires.
9. Pull the shrink tubing down over the exposed copper.
10. Heat the tubing so that it shrinks around the exposed wire.
11. rewrap wire so that it follows the left hinge in a manner that is will not get cut again. (I wrapped the at risk area in duct tape, not pretty, but it was effective).
12. Reinstall Panels.
Sorry for the lack of pictures, but this is a real easy fix. I hope this procedure saves some $$$ for someone.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2005 e320 cdi
Thank You For Your Post - It Worked Like a Charm
Thanks very much for your post. I had to repair 8 wires and it took me about 45 minutes, in my suit this morning. I have been without trunk power, 3rd brake light & license plate lights for about 2 weeks until today.
To show my appreciation, here are my advanced tactics for finding files online that relate to my rides:
Type the following kinds of stuff into Google:
site:startekinfo.com filetype:pdf
or
inurl:w211 keyword (for example: wiring diagram or manual)
or
site:anydomainnameyouwanttotypeinhere.com (space) filetype:pdf
this will produce all pdf's that are on that particular domain that are of the pdf filetype.
To show my appreciation, here are my advanced tactics for finding files online that relate to my rides:
Type the following kinds of stuff into Google:
site:startekinfo.com filetype:pdf
or
inurl:w211 keyword (for example: wiring diagram or manual)
or
site:anydomainnameyouwanttotypeinhere.com (space) filetype:pdf
this will produce all pdf's that are on that particular domain that are of the pdf filetype.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
e280 sport
mercedes e280 sport desiel
hi there,iam new to this forum but i have a problem with my car,its the number plate light,third brake light and the boot electric catch and boot lights,i have read some forums saying it could be a wire that broken or poss a bad earth,has anybody come across this problem and if so is it easy to fix or should i go to a auto electrician and have it plugged in to the computer pls help
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Cornwall, UK
mercedes E220
BRILLIANT HELP...
THANKS hbamark
you and the others but you in particular helped immensely and saved me a fortune; and hassle if I had been stopped before repairs.
As a result have joined forum; I doubt I know much to help anyone else, but moral support!!!
Safe driving.
you and the others but you in particular helped immensely and saved me a fortune; and hassle if I had been stopped before repairs.
As a result have joined forum; I doubt I know much to help anyone else, but moral support!!!
Safe driving.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
e280 sport
i would like to thank you guys out there for your advice,after takeing the trunking off and the left hand pannel out of the boot,i saw a cluster of wires under the u bend of the boot hindge and the thick brown wire had completley snaped in two,so i extended the wire and re joined it and it works fine now you have saved me a lot of money thank you garry
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 24
From: Hudson Valley, NY
2005 E55 Black, 2007 GL450 Carneol Red
I use a small flat screw driver and lift out the smaller headed center pin. (Sometimes I use a small Diagonal Wire Cutting Pliers to leverage out the center pin.) After the center pin is out, the remaining clip lifts out quite easily. With practice, you won't even have to pull the center pin all of the way out before lifting out the larger pin.
Newbie
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
w211
Many thanks hbamark, had boot not oppening, third stop and plate lights actuallly on n off working but this morning all dead. Brown whire snapped.
Read ur post, THANK YOU and stopped on petrol station, gents easy fix. Took me 30 min and screwdriver to do, didnt damage anything but brown whire now not wraped, will do it back home but ALL WORKING NOW .
Many thanks again
Safe ride
Read ur post, THANK YOU and stopped on petrol station, gents easy fix. Took me 30 min and screwdriver to do, didnt damage anything but brown whire now not wraped, will do it back home but ALL WORKING NOW .
Many thanks again
Safe ride
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E220
I had similar issues with no remote trunk opening, the 3rd brake light warning and no light inside the trunk. This was on a 2008 w211. Thanks to this post everything is now working as it should saving me £200 (~$300).
As Pekkle reported, my car also had the tubing presumably added to prevent this issue. Initially I couldn't see any break in the wires. However on removing the top of the tubing, I found the break at the very top of the tubing that was previously hidden by tape and tubing. Unfortunately I didn't have a solder iron so instead used a small terminal block bought from Maplins to join the wires. Now everything is working as it should. Thanks again to the original poster and subsequent ones too for saving me $300.
It seems strange that the brown wire is breaking where it is. Perhaps it's being bent one way then the other as the trunk is opened and closed causing a fatigue type break. Whatever, it is poor that Mercedes did not fix this design fault when the w211 facelift model was introduced. They then have the cheek to charge $300 to fix the fault that is of their own making.
As Pekkle reported, my car also had the tubing presumably added to prevent this issue. Initially I couldn't see any break in the wires. However on removing the top of the tubing, I found the break at the very top of the tubing that was previously hidden by tape and tubing. Unfortunately I didn't have a solder iron so instead used a small terminal block bought from Maplins to join the wires. Now everything is working as it should. Thanks again to the original poster and subsequent ones too for saving me $300.
It seems strange that the brown wire is breaking where it is. Perhaps it's being bent one way then the other as the trunk is opened and closed causing a fatigue type break. Whatever, it is poor that Mercedes did not fix this design fault when the w211 facelift model was introduced. They then have the cheek to charge $300 to fix the fault that is of their own making.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
2003 E55
This would have saved me some money had I tried it first. I installed a new LED and still didnt work, started inspecting the wires per the above and was able to fix it. Now I have an extra LED that I presume still works fine. Got a decent price on Ebay so not so upset, now I have a spare.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
E320
What a wonderful Thanksgiving Gift from HBamark
You made me and my wife very happy. I was really worried I might get a fix it ticket that I have no other choice but to bring it to an auto shop. But oh boy, I did it myselt and walla, I found the severed wire, replaced the busted lic. plate light bulb and the rest is history. You saved me at least $300 (?). And I did it in less than 30 minutes. I really appreciate your knowledge and unselfish help. Good luck and more success to you. God bless.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 508
*
- installing a grommet between the plastic wire sheathing (normally used to help protect the wire, not cut it!) and the wire bundle ... seriously this is kind of "Electronics Assembly 101"
- making the cable just a little longer (say, a few inches) so it doesn't have to flex so much and at such a sharp angle (actually, MBZ often seems to skimp on cable lengths by a few inches, making it difficult to work on a unit while it's "pulled out" but still connected -- just try the Command unit, etc. ... I realize that another $50/car in wire cost adds up to millions over the year, but I'd gladly pay the extra $50)
Anyway, the real reason for this post (other than a sincere "Thank You!") is to supply a couple of pictures I took during my repair effort.
-
Last edited by user33; Dec 3, 2013 at 03:16 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Texas
2009 E350 Sport
Great thread.
I also have a 2007 E 350 and had the same problem. I googled and found this thread. Really like this forum. I added an 8" section of wire and used wire nuts to put it together. I have a question about something that didn't make sense to me. There are other 16 gauge wires in this bundle. Why does only the brown wire break?
Thanks for this helpful thread. ~ SgtRock
Thanks for this helpful thread. ~ SgtRock
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E320
Thank you so much for sharing this info! I followed your instructions verbatim and found the broken wire. Spliced it together and my trunk (and plate lights) work as designed with no malfunction light on the instrument cluster.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E500
Intermittent trunk, license plate light problem
Had a similar problem but the trunk closing light worked intermittently or I had to partially close trunk for the light/closing mechanism to work and also got an intermittent warning notice on the instruments. I opened the cover as described but could find no break as most of the wiring is wrapped, so using electrical tape I strapped the wiring bundle tightly to the hinge and so far the problem seems to have disappeared. This may just postpone the inevitable break but until then my 10 minutes of work is paying off.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E350
This worked in 20 minutes!! Wrapped with electrical tape. Was told months ago that it would be $1000 to replace the whole 3rd brake light. After my trunk stopped opening and my license plate lamps went out at the same time I thought it was a fuse. All those were fine and found this thread. Had 2 wires severed. Thanks so much!!
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
C450 AMG
OMG... for real.
2007 E550 - I love my car. bought it used two years ago so I did not drop the 100K it cost its original buyer. The car was in mint condition. low mileage. So far its been amazing except for this EXACT problem.
I have been suffering from this problem for over 6 months! I new it was electrical but was just waiting to take it in for repair. or maybe just avoiding the repair cost.
Thanks for the post. I will give it a try tomorrow and see how I do.
:-)
Seb
I have been suffering from this problem for over 6 months! I new it was electrical but was just waiting to take it in for repair. or maybe just avoiding the repair cost.
Thanks for the post. I will give it a try tomorrow and see how I do.
:-)
Seb
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E270
Boot (Trunk) lid electrics problem fixed
Thank you so much for these posts and for the solution. In my case it was the brown wire that had parted company. Even in the dark using a torch for light I was able to follow "hbamark's" instructions and carry out the repair myself.
Thanks
Thanks
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
mercedes E270 cdi Avantgarde
mercedes E270cdi avantgarde (broken wires)
i stumbles across this forum whilst looking for a solution to my boot lid not opening and licence plare lights out and 3rd brake light not working.
many thanks to all for the posts that made my life so much easier as to the problem fix, i too had 3 wires broken and repaired them with very little time and effort!
it cost me nothing as all the things i needed were already in my toolbox...
tony in yorkshire uk.
many thanks to all for the posts that made my life so much easier as to the problem fix, i too had 3 wires broken and repaired them with very little time and effort!
it cost me nothing as all the things i needed were already in my toolbox...
tony in yorkshire uk.
