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I've done a search but haven't really found anyone having a similar issue so was making a thread in the hopes someone can help. Recently my 2011 E63 won't close the trunk from the button on the trunklid or in the door. I've noticed that the left side hinge seems to bind right at the start of the motor retracting the cable. I assume then it thinks perhaps it has an obstruction and so stops winding. I haven't knocked the trunklid so I'm really stumped as to why this has started happening. There is a noticeable knock which you can hear and see on the left side near the hinge. I wondered if perhaps the spring was caught up but I took the trim off and it doesn't seem to be any different from the right hand side. I'm hoping that the motor isn't faulty as I can't see it being too easy to disassemble, but I was wondering if there was something wrong with the motor initially when it was trying to retract the wire that pulls the trunk lid down.
If the trunk lid isn't completely all the way up and I hold it on that first part of the travel and then press the button it will retract and close normally which is what makes me think it isn't the motor, but I'm very much an amateur so I really don't know.
Thanks for any advice. I can probably get a video of it soon to demonstrate what is happening if that will help anyone.
I dont have the means to scan it than in depth I've only got a basic code reader. I may order a replacement motor as they aren't too expensive but I'm not quite sure how it disassembles. Its somewhat of an intermittent issue and from the sound of it sounds like its getting caught but I've checked all around the spring/hinge and everything seems fine.
Here's a short video the click can be heard right at the start. I tried to do it again but then of course it closed normally. Thats why I can't quite figure it out, I wouldnt suspect it to be the motor since it works some of the time.
I've been trying to troubleshoot this issue along with trying to find anyone having had the issue in the past and haven't had much luck. Its definitely an odd one. I'm starting to think that as there is no resistance from the trunk hinges and they operate as they normally would that it seems to be a motor issue. Still hoping that someone has come across this issue in the past. I can take it to my mercedes specialist but I like to be able to sort these types of things myself.
Given the length of time without a post, I think you've got something on the unusual side. Use your mechanical senses to track it down. If it closes smoothly manually, you may very well be on the right track with the motor. Might also be a binding cable or linkage somehow. You've probably been deeper into this mechanism than most at this point. Please document what you find, what you attempt, how you do it, etc. so that those of us following behind can hopefully have an easier go of it down the road!
Thanks. Its so annoying having an intermittent issue and I realise in the grand scheme of things its not a big deal. I will update when I get somewhere.
So now I've got a replacement motor I've just got to get the time to try and swap it out. I'd disassembled part of the cover that goes over one of the hinges and it seemed to fix the problem but then it came back again when I reinstalled it. There was nothing in the way of this cover though so it definitely wasn't that. Its just really annoying that I haven't been able to find any other occurance of this issue than my own given how old the car is now. I haven't had the time to swap the motor over yet I'm still also figuring out how to unlatch some of the parts.
This is somewhat to be expected... you may find the cable pull assist is dry and the controller electronic may get overheated where oxidized pins hardly contact circuit board.
Now you have fresh parts, let us help you how your unit failed so you can prevent the dame issues in replacement. It had to go bad, it did... hopefully not again twice.
Let get ypu inner pics...
This is somewhat to be expected... you may find the cable pull assist is dry and the controller electronic may get overheated where oxidized pins hardly contact circuit board.
Now you have fresh parts, let us help you how your unit failed so you can prevent the dame issues in replacement. It had to go bad, it did... hopefully not again twice.
Let get you inner pics... amazin' dry trunk lid assist
More right here - The module enclosure is fairly easy to open up... some plastic gear may be broken beyond repair in you old unit else simple greasing lower internal frictions to pull heavy cables.
This is the biggest problem with my car at the moment. All the little fiddly things don't keep it parked, but this definitely will!
Originally Posted by Polarbert
I'd disassembled part of the cover that goes over one of the hinges and it seemed to fix the problem but then it came back again when I reinstalled it.
There's something here. Gotta figure it out.
May be moot since you have the parts, and I'd honestly just go ahead and do the swap. Make sure everything you come in contact with along the way looks clean and healthy as you go.
Are there any codes hidden in any modules that might relate to this? Don't see that it's been asked.
Thanks for the input chaps I really appreciate it. I do have a soldering iron but I'm not even an amateur so may need to do some more practice before trying to do that fix. Did you have a similar problem before you did this? My pull down motor seems fine except for that initial bite when it has to start the operation of closing the trunk. Honestly its not really that much of an issue but means that I can never use the button in the driver door to close the trunk if I needed to. I just want everything to work in the car I'm hoping to keep hold of it for as long as possible.
I wish I had a friend or something close by with the Xentry thing so I could do a deep dive into the codes, I've only got a basic reader for clearing check engine lights. I wasn't sure whether there were any features that could be accessed in relation to setting the limits of the trunk closing or what not.
I finally got time to swap over the motor. It closed the trunk once then didn't work any more. None of the buttons responded. I put the old one back in and it worked as before.
I read that after 08 things like this may be vin coded. May that mean I have to get it set through the STAR system?
I finally got time to swap over the motor. It closed the trunk once then didn't work any more. None of the buttons responded. I put the old one back in and it worked as before.
I read that after 08 things like this may be vin coded. May that mean I have to get it set through the STAR system?
> Yes, very likely!
Trunk gear pull needs to be configured for options and trained for limits.
> Next question...
Can this be done with 3rd party non-MB such as a LAUNCH scanner ??
> PLAN B...
The shortcut to unnecessary coding is to fix the original solderless unit.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 2, 2025 at 03:55 PM.
I hooked up a scanner that I got and it gave me access to the PTC module which I believe is the power trunk control. It was able to show me that the trunk was normalised. I suppose now I need to put the new one in and see what the thing says then. Problem is this scanner didn't give me any way to edit or reset the normalisation. I am wondering if a more expensive one may do the job.
Generic scanners are junk for Mercedes-Benz from my own experience . I mean there's no such a terminology but users should avoid cheap ones but to invest for the "Mercedes-Benz approved" tools for detailed diagnosis
Thanks for the input chaps I really appreciate it. I do have a soldering iron but I'm not even an amateur so may need to do some more practice before trying to do that fix. Did you have a similar problem before you did this? My pull down motor seems fine except for that initial bite when it has to start the operation of closing the trunk. Honestly its not really that much of an issue but means that I can never use the button in the driver door to close the trunk if I needed to. I just want everything to work in the car I'm hoping to keep hold of it for as long as possible.
I wish I had a friend or something close by with the Xentry thing so I could do a deep dive into the codes, I've only got a basic reader for clearing check engine lights. I wasn't sure whether there were any features that could be accessed in relation to setting the limits of the trunk closing or what not.
You may have a friend nearby. Put you location in your profile. Often times there is someone that will help.
I ended up fitting the new motor and took it to my local specialist. He wasn't able to code the thing to the car, but then realised that the actual electronic module simply unclipped when all the connectors had been removed. Within a couple of minutes all was fixed again. I think I said earlier how much of an amateur I am and I'm kicking myself for not spotting that sooner as I could have saved myself a trip and had it sorted a lot sooner. Its amazing how such a simple feature is nice to have when you get used to it.
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