Liftgate sensor?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
2005 E500 4Matic wagon
Liftgate sensor?
I have a 2005 E500 4Matic estate that periodically decides the liftgate is open. I have noticed it sitting in the driveway with the interior lights on, or more annoying, I have been driving down the road and the car decides the liftgate is open. I will come to a stop and the car will be "satisfied" and then when I start moving it will complain again the gate is open. I can usually make the car happy with some openings and closings of the gate -- sometimes manually, and sometimes with power.
So, my question is, how does the car determine the gate is open? I see no switch around the door. I have not yet opened anything up because I really don't know if the sensor is in the door or in the body. Almost all the info I can find is on the sedan, and the wagon is significantly different. Any suggestions?
So, my question is, how does the car determine the gate is open? I see no switch around the door. I have not yet opened anything up because I really don't know if the sensor is in the door or in the body. Almost all the info I can find is on the sedan, and the wagon is significantly different. Any suggestions?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 371
Likes: 37
w211 03'
Here's a diagram, so at least you know where to look for.
http://mb-teilekatalog.info/view_Sub...=74&subgrp=015
http://mb-teilekatalog.info/view_Sub...=74&subgrp=030
http://mb-teilekatalog.info/view_Sub...=74&subgrp=015
http://mb-teilekatalog.info/view_Sub...=74&subgrp=030
Last edited by cMazara; Jan 26, 2017 at 12:49 AM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Check electrical connection to lock if fine, you “may” need to replace unit. See attachments for removal, capture shows part #s to shop used if replacement is needed.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
2005 E500 4Matic wagon
Yes, I have the automatic liftgate with Keyless Go. By "decides" I do mean the dash goes red with a warning even though the hatch is closed and latched.
Thanks for the diagrams!
Thanks for the diagrams!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
2005 E500 4Matic wagon
Resurrecting my own thread. Apparently, my car knew I was serious, and the liftgate has worked flawlessly even though I didn't do anything. Well, it worked until a couple of weeks ago when it was worse than ever. So, I finally took things apart to see if I could figure out what is going on.
I could find no external sensor, so as others have alluded, the sensor must be inside the latch -- which I took apart. I didn't find any broken parts, so I'm trying to understand how it detects whether the hatch is open or closed. There are several moving parts that have magnets and what appear to be magnetic sensing elements, so my guess is one of them is used to determine if the latch is open or closed. What I can't tell is how it could fail.
Taking it apart and putting it back together has scared things into working again, but not having actually fixed anything leaves me concerned this is just temporary. Does anyone have a wiring diagram they can share so I can check the various sensors?
I could find no external sensor, so as others have alluded, the sensor must be inside the latch -- which I took apart. I didn't find any broken parts, so I'm trying to understand how it detects whether the hatch is open or closed. There are several moving parts that have magnets and what appear to be magnetic sensing elements, so my guess is one of them is used to determine if the latch is open or closed. What I can't tell is how it could fail.
Taking it apart and putting it back together has scared things into working again, but not having actually fixed anything leaves me concerned this is just temporary. Does anyone have a wiring diagram they can share so I can check the various sensors?
