Rear Tailgate door light sensor
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 24
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From: NYC
2010 G55
Rear Tailgate door light sensor
I was wondering if there is some type of door sensor for the rear tailgate? I took apart the panel and didn't see any.
Right now, when I unlock the truck and open the rear tailgate, it auto locks itself back while the door is open. Doesn't do that for the front 4 doors.
The light also doesn't turn on in the rear. I can turn it on manually when I'm in the car through the sunroof control panel, but that's about it.
Is there a way for the light to turn on when the door opens, and doesn't auto lock the doors?
Right now, when I unlock the truck and open the rear tailgate, it auto locks itself back while the door is open. Doesn't do that for the front 4 doors.
The light also doesn't turn on in the rear. I can turn it on manually when I'm in the car through the sunroof control panel, but that's about it.
Is there a way for the light to turn on when the door opens, and doesn't auto lock the doors?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 58
Likes: 20
From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
You might want to post your year and model or add it to your signature...
Not sure about the door locking but there should be a 3-way switch on either side of the top. I discovered how mine worked when changing to LED bulbs to brighten up the area at night when needed. Both of mine have 3-way switches... On with door open - OFF - On with switch only. Keeping the switch in the center and they will never light. Move both one way and they will both light with door open.... Move both the other way and they will both light and STAY ON!
Not sure about the door locking but there should be a 3-way switch on either side of the top. I discovered how mine worked when changing to LED bulbs to brighten up the area at night when needed. Both of mine have 3-way switches... On with door open - OFF - On with switch only. Keeping the switch in the center and they will never light. Move both one way and they will both light with door open.... Move both the other way and they will both light and STAY ON!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2010 G55
You might want to post your year and model or add it to your signature...
Not sure about the door locking but there should be a 3-way switch on either side of the top. I discovered how mine worked when changing to LED bulbs to brighten up the area at night when needed. Both of mine have 3-way switches... On with door open - OFF - On with switch only. Keeping the switch in the center and they will never light. Move both one way and they will both light with door open.... Move both the other way and they will both light and STAY ON!
Not sure about the door locking but there should be a 3-way switch on either side of the top. I discovered how mine worked when changing to LED bulbs to brighten up the area at night when needed. Both of mine have 3-way switches... On with door open - OFF - On with switch only. Keeping the switch in the center and they will never light. Move both one way and they will both light with door open.... Move both the other way and they will both light and STAY ON!
Sorry about that. I have a 2010 G55.
I tried a few things today. When I put the button in the middle, and open the front doors, only the front lights turn on. When I open the rear doors, only the rear lights turn on. I guess that's a good thing. I'm just used to all lights turning on when you open any door. When I open the rear tailgate, nothing turns on.
When i push the button to the left, with doors open or closed, both front and rear lights turn on (not tailgate lights).
When I push the button to the right, nothing turns on no matter what you do.
I have an additional button on the top just for the tailgate light. But it only turns on when the ignition is on. If Ignition is off, the tailgate button does nothing.
No matter what option I choose or do, the tailgate light doesn't turn on when the tailgate door is open.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 58
Likes: 20
From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
You ARE aware that there is a sensor for darkness, yes? I was really thrown for a loop when I couldn't make things work... Like my dome light coming on. Until I tried it at night. Seems the G55 is smart enough to realize when it is needed. Try all your testing when it is dark outside! 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2010 G55
You ARE aware that there is a sensor for darkness, yes? I was really thrown for a loop when I couldn't make things work... Like my dome light coming on. Until I tried it at night. Seems the G55 is smart enough to realize when it is needed. Try all your testing when it is dark outside!
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 58
Likes: 20
From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
Hmmmmm... I just tried mine... Same thing. Driver's door just turns on main front light. Back doors turn on mini lights in ceiling and rear door (on mine) is set to FLOODLIGHT as I put in LEDs in the back. It's about 3-4 times the brightness as regular bulbs.
