GL X166 Tailgate Issues
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 54
Likes: 4
2015 GL350 Bluetec
GL X166 Tailgate Issues
Well another MB issue...now with the tailgate's power open/close function.
My 2015 GL350 suddenly started having issues with the power tailgate function. It won't power open or close with the fob button or with the exterior latch/handle. It works just fine manually. It unlocks and I can lift it and close it manually without any problem. The thing is that I can hear the motor (in the right strut) running, but no lift or close. It can't be a fuse since the motor in the strut works.
Any ideas or solutions?
Thank you
LL
My 2015 GL350 suddenly started having issues with the power tailgate function. It won't power open or close with the fob button or with the exterior latch/handle. It works just fine manually. It unlocks and I can lift it and close it manually without any problem. The thing is that I can hear the motor (in the right strut) running, but no lift or close. It can't be a fuse since the motor in the strut works.
Any ideas or solutions?
Thank you
LL
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Could be the strut needs replacing. Search this site, the rear liftgate comes up (no pun intended) now and then.
Components for open/close and lock/latch:
- fob button (check fob for other functions besides liftgate, and install a new battery)
- front door button
- liftgate interior button
- liftgate exterior button
- latch
- strut
Verify function on each button, this will help narrow it down.
Components for open/close and lock/latch:
- fob button (check fob for other functions besides liftgate, and install a new battery)
- front door button
- liftgate interior button
- liftgate exterior button
- latch
- strut
Verify function on each button, this will help narrow it down.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,004
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From: Usa
mgLipGD
Yep see the above. Assuming it has gotten colder in your area which has helped this issue come to full light. The right side strut is the motorized one and not too hard to swap. Now the part cost is far more to me than it should be.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
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GL 450
Thank you for describing this issue, I just bought a GL and as I look at all the things that can break I am happy to see I can go old school and manually move it until a repair is scheduled if it should crap out at some point 😆
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 241
From: Usa
mgLipGD
Same here but when we press the button usually a little tug up or down will help it get moving on its own. Been like this for like 2y now.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 54
Likes: 4
2015 GL350 Bluetec
I did some more research and it seems that the motorized strut has quite some parts inside it. I suspect that in my case the small "gearbox" is defective, since the motor runs.
At the beginning, with a little help was actually opening and closing, yet after a while I could only hear the motor running. I also suspect that the left hydraulic strut has affects the life spam of the right motorized strut.
I believe that when the left hydraulic strut gets old and defective, it makes the right motorized strut to require higher force to lift the trunk door, meaning that eventually it will damage the "gearbox" inside the strut. When I manually lift the trunk up, and let it go, it seems that it drops 5-6 inches. So basically the left hydraulic strut is not strong enough to keep it up. Of course this is just an assumption, yet if it is true, it is a good reason to replace the cheaper left strut every 3-4 years, before the right super expensive motorized strut fails. (of course MB parts have to be x2 the price of other German car parts).
Whatever the case, I will be ordering the OEM right motorized strut (P/N: 1668900100) soon, as well as the left hydraulic strut.
The question now is the following: Do I have to normalize the new strut? Does it require ECU programing?
Any help/opinion will be much appreciated.
LL
At the beginning, with a little help was actually opening and closing, yet after a while I could only hear the motor running. I also suspect that the left hydraulic strut has affects the life spam of the right motorized strut.
I believe that when the left hydraulic strut gets old and defective, it makes the right motorized strut to require higher force to lift the trunk door, meaning that eventually it will damage the "gearbox" inside the strut. When I manually lift the trunk up, and let it go, it seems that it drops 5-6 inches. So basically the left hydraulic strut is not strong enough to keep it up. Of course this is just an assumption, yet if it is true, it is a good reason to replace the cheaper left strut every 3-4 years, before the right super expensive motorized strut fails. (of course MB parts have to be x2 the price of other German car parts).
Whatever the case, I will be ordering the OEM right motorized strut (P/N: 1668900100) soon, as well as the left hydraulic strut.
The question now is the following: Do I have to normalize the new strut? Does it require ECU programing?
Any help/opinion will be much appreciated.
LL
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 54
Likes: 4
2015 GL350 Bluetec
SOLVED - I just replaced the motorized (right) strut and the problem has been solved. It took 10 minutes maximum for the entire process.
The conclusion is that if you can hear the motorized strut running but the tailgate does not open/close, it is quite sure that the motorized strut needs replacement. I bought a new one from MB directly @ about $300.
As a note. be careful when you take the old strut off the car....mine split into two parts and a 3ft steel spring popped out...I found one part of the spring about 10-15ft away since it was broken into two pieces. It is also highly recommended to replace the left hydraulic strut the same time. I am quite sure that initially the hydraulic strut starts to fail, meaning that the motorized strut requires additional force to lift the tailgate, until eventually gets damaged.
I hope this helps.
LL
The conclusion is that if you can hear the motorized strut running but the tailgate does not open/close, it is quite sure that the motorized strut needs replacement. I bought a new one from MB directly @ about $300.
As a note. be careful when you take the old strut off the car....mine split into two parts and a 3ft steel spring popped out...I found one part of the spring about 10-15ft away since it was broken into two pieces. It is also highly recommended to replace the left hydraulic strut the same time. I am quite sure that initially the hydraulic strut starts to fail, meaning that the motorized strut requires additional force to lift the tailgate, until eventually gets damaged.
I hope this helps.
LL
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 54
Likes: 4
2015 GL350 Bluetec
Part # 1669803764
I bought an aftermarket from Amazon for $50, but honestly I am not that satisfied with the quality. It looks like the original MB and it is a basic hydraulic strut.
I bought an aftermarket from Amazon for $50, but honestly I am not that satisfied with the quality. It looks like the original MB and it is a basic hydraulic strut.
