GL450 Power Liftgate Issue
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
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GL 450
GL450 Power Liftgate Issue
I've read through a number of posts and didn't find my exact problem so I thought maybe someone could help. I have a 2008 GL450. The power liftgate worked perfectly fine Friday. Today I hit the open button and it clicks, pops open about an inch, the motor sounds like it runs but the door doesn't move and then the door closes the same inch or so and locks. I even tried to clear the tailgate height limiter and when I push the red close button for 3-5 seconds it doesn't make a noise. I can open and close the door manually and there is nothing currently in the trunk at all. Any suggestions? There are no warning lights or messages on in the car. Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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2016 GL450
I've read through a number of posts and didn't find my exact problem so I thought maybe someone could help. I have a 2008 GL450. The power liftgate worked perfectly fine Friday. Today I hit the open button and it clicks, pops open about an inch, the motor sounds like it runs but the door doesn't move and then the door closes the same inch or so and locks. I even tried to clear the tailgate height limiter and when I push the red close button for 3-5 seconds it doesn't make a noise. I can open and close the door manually and there is nothing currently in the trunk at all. Any suggestions? There are no warning lights or messages on in the car. Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
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Same Problem
Thanks, dadofbkm
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 409
Likes: 22
2008 GL320CDI (310k) & 2017 GLS450 (160k)
When I click the button, It does not go up or down. It does lock it self if I move it down manually. Where should I look? No warranty and I'm not taking it to a stealership.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 260
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From: SoCal
Porsche 911
I had this issue years ago when it was still under warranty. They had to replace the lock mechanism that "latches" the liftgate. Mine was only functioning partially so it would pull closed and latch but not fully release.
The part is available online for about $200. If you DIY anything it should be pretty easy. It will probably take longer to get the trim off than swap out the latch/motor. If not, take it to your local indie - can't be more than 1 hour labor.
See part #18
The part is available online for about $200. If you DIY anything it should be pretty easy. It will probably take longer to get the trim off than swap out the latch/motor. If not, take it to your local indie - can't be more than 1 hour labor.
See part #18
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Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
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GL450
Having the same problem with my 2008 GL 450. Actually, I have had this problem several times - each of which the dealer said it was just an adjustment. I now have the problem again - it closes but wont latch - but now out of warrantee. Any idea how to make the adjustments?
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
MB E-320 1997
GL 450 Lift Gate Issues
Our 2008 GL 450 Lift Gate is experiencing problems. When opening or closing the Lift Gate automatically the Gate is intermittent. Sounds like the motor is weak.
Don't find any information on trouble shooting or motor replacement. Does anyone have a link to some information? Thanks
Don't find any information on trouble shooting or motor replacement. Does anyone have a link to some information? Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2007 GL 450
I have a 2007 GL450; the liftgate latch seems to open and close but there are times the power lift gate won’t open or close and I have to manual open or close it.
The red red button on the liftgate will work also sometimes.
is the red button suppose to light up?
Same week I had lift gate issues, the truck had battery drain and my air suspension would click while car was off and drain the battery.
i am still looking for solutions.
The red red button on the liftgate will work also sometimes.
is the red button suppose to light up?
Same week I had lift gate issues, the truck had battery drain and my air suspension would click while car was off and drain the battery.
i am still looking for solutions.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 5
2009 E320 Bluetec, 2006 E320 CDI (RIP), 2012 GL350 Bluetec (Sold), 2015 VW Touareg TDI
I have a 2007 GL450; the liftgate latch seems to open and close but there are times the power lift gate won’t open or close and I have to manual open or close it.
The red red button on the liftgate will work also sometimes.
is the red button suppose to light up?
Same week I had lift gate issues, the truck had battery drain and my air suspension would click while car was off and drain the battery.
i am still looking for solutions.
The red red button on the liftgate will work also sometimes.
is the red button suppose to light up?
Same week I had lift gate issues, the truck had battery drain and my air suspension would click while car was off and drain the battery.
i am still looking for solutions.
I went to open the tailgate today and it unlatches and I had to manually open it. I just replaced a front strut so I had the battery unhooked for an hour or so - don't know if that had anything to do with it. But I also don't have the tailgate buttons lighting up. I though they (The gate and the lock buttons) lit up before. I checked Fuse #40 and it's good. the power latch works fine just not the power open/close.
Did you ever figure anaything out. Sounds like I'm having the same issue.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 5
2009 E320 Bluetec, 2006 E320 CDI (RIP), 2012 GL350 Bluetec (Sold), 2015 VW Touareg TDI
As a followup mine ended up just needing to have the module reprogrammed. The VIN got scrambled (just the first character was changed) so it was a $125 trip to the dealer for reprogramming my local shop couldn't do the reprogramming.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
I know this is hindsight, but when I did my front strut... I either removed the compressor relay or didn't worry about it. I forget which one I did, right now, but... if the car is up in the air, the compressor won't compress, right?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 5
2009 E320 Bluetec, 2006 E320 CDI (RIP), 2012 GL350 Bluetec (Sold), 2015 VW Touareg TDI
On the GL the Aux battery is only for the parking sprag in the transmission. On my e-class it does the brakes but not the rest of the electronics. In hindsight I should have just pulled the fuse or relay. I think the real issue is that the battery lead slid back onto the top of the battery and sparked a few times before I could grab it and I think that is probably what scrambled it. A clean disconnect/reconnect is probably not an issue.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 77
From: New Jersey
GL 450
On my 2014 GL 450, which i just got back on the road after a long break. Engine replacement, not fun. Likely the battery was dead for a long time.
Anyway, the battery died, both. Replaced them, but the trunk does not open or close automatically. The trunk will soft close, pull its self shut, but will not open or close. The buttons on the tailgate light up, which they did not previously.
any thoughts on this?
How would I find out if my module needs to be reprogrammed?
Thanks for the thoughts.
Anyway, the battery died, both. Replaced them, but the trunk does not open or close automatically. The trunk will soft close, pull its self shut, but will not open or close. The buttons on the tailgate light up, which they did not previously.
any thoughts on this?
How would I find out if my module needs to be reprogrammed?
Thanks for the thoughts.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 5
2009 E320 Bluetec, 2006 E320 CDI (RIP), 2012 GL350 Bluetec (Sold), 2015 VW Touareg TDI
On my 2014 GL 450, which i just got back on the road after a long break. Engine replacement, not fun. Likely the battery was dead for a long time.
Anyway, the battery died, both. Replaced them, but the trunk does not open or close automatically. The trunk will soft close, pull its self shut, but will not open or close. The buttons on the tailgate light up, which they did not previously.
any thoughts on this?
How would I find out if my module needs to be reprogrammed?
Thanks for the thoughts.
Anyway, the battery died, both. Replaced them, but the trunk does not open or close automatically. The trunk will soft close, pull its self shut, but will not open or close. The buttons on the tailgate light up, which they did not previously.
any thoughts on this?
How would I find out if my module needs to be reprogrammed?
Thanks for the thoughts.
That's a dealer only reprogram. Was $125 when I had mine done a few years ago.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2012 GL350
Mine just started acting up today, but seems a little different than what others mention. No matter what switch you use, the tailgate unlatches fine, starts to go up, then stops at different points and slowly comes back down, not under power, until it hit the latch and latches itself shut. At first it was going all the way up and then stopped and started coming back down. Now it only goes 1/3 of the way up before stopping. Any ideas?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
Mine just started acting up today, but seems a little different than what others mention. No matter what switch you use, the tailgate unlatches fine, starts to go up, then stops at different points and slowly comes back down, not under power, until it hit the latch and latches itself shut. At first it was going all the way up and then stopped and started coming back down. Now it only goes 1/3 of the way up before stopping. Any ideas?
Mercedes GL 2007 (X164) Auto Boot / Tailgate Pump Location/Fluid
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 9
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2012 GL350
Messed around with the buttons the other day and reset the height issue. It was back to opening to the top and then instead of stopping there it just slowly closes, but not by power. I checked the fluid and it was just at the bottom of the circle and below the trapezoidal line. I added some fluid to the center of circle. No change. Added to top of circle and again no change. Filled to top of line. Still no change in operation. Goes to the top and motor stops but then tailgate slowly goes back down and closes. If I hold it open and then hit the close button it closes under power normally. How does the tailgate act if it thinks it hits something on opening? Would it slowly close like this or instantly reverse and close under power? If it was the safety kicking in though it would it act like that no matter where I set the upper limit to? 60k miles and problems coming out of the woodwork now. Need to get this working and dump it off while I can. Can't get the cats to be ready for emissions either, but no engine codes. They just stay "INC" no matter what drive cycle I try.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 77
From: New Jersey
GL 450
F them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
They charge 80% OVER list? That sounds really odd. Are you sure it wasn't 80% OF list... meaning a 20% discount? If the former is true, I would think that MB would want to know about that.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 77
From: New Jersey
GL 450
I know, complete scammers. I spoke w MBUSA a number of times about it over the last couple years, they get plenty of complaints. It is privately owned and nothing they can do about it.
The actual quote was
166-890-01-00 $437, list is about $300, $227 if you look around. When I called to get the price on it, I was quoted $515.
labor was $1309. The book is 2 hours.
The funny part is that he hand wrote the labor numbers on the estimate, as opposed to entering them in the system and printing them out officially.
The actual quote was
166-890-01-00 $437, list is about $300, $227 if you look around. When I called to get the price on it, I was quoted $515.
labor was $1309. The book is 2 hours.
The funny part is that he hand wrote the labor numbers on the estimate, as opposed to entering them in the system and printing them out officially.
