Tailgate not pulling itself closed - faulty actuator?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 15
GL500 x166
Tailgate not pulling itself closed - faulty actuator?
Hi Guys
This has been bugging me for weeks now. One day I noticed my tailgate not closing correctly because whenever I accelerated I could hear air and noticed it wasnt closed. I think it might have got knocked when I was carrying soil bags one day
I thought it might be the locking mechanism itself, so i replaced it for $300 (2047401300). Nope that didnt fix
So I ordered a new actuator (2047500060) and cable (1667500259) and replaced that tonight and didnt make any difference at all.
Now I really have no idea what is going on. When you open and close it using the key or buttons or front driver button it opens and closes not problem. The only issue is upon close it doesnt engage the actutor to pull the cable and "tightly seal" it and so the result is teh taiglate is locked but it is not sealed properly and air gets into the cabin when at higher speeds. No alarms or messages are shown in the cabin.
I checked the Fuses in the Middle seat, I think it was 3 of them and they are all fine.
I dont believe its hydraulics as I cannot hear any noises.
I think its the Actuator (the one in the foam enclosure) because when I close that this actuator is supposed to pull the cable to close it but it doesnt it just makes a tick or whatever and only occasionally does it actually close but then it instantly opens back up again? Its really really confusing because even the new one didnt fix it. Could the wiring loom itself which there is a white plug that plugs into the actuator - could that be faulty?
Really need some assistance here.....Ive blown almost $1000 on new parts, and shipping from the US to get this fixed. (Im in Aus)
Thanks!
Jesse
This has been bugging me for weeks now. One day I noticed my tailgate not closing correctly because whenever I accelerated I could hear air and noticed it wasnt closed. I think it might have got knocked when I was carrying soil bags one day
I thought it might be the locking mechanism itself, so i replaced it for $300 (2047401300). Nope that didnt fix
So I ordered a new actuator (2047500060) and cable (1667500259) and replaced that tonight and didnt make any difference at all.
Now I really have no idea what is going on. When you open and close it using the key or buttons or front driver button it opens and closes not problem. The only issue is upon close it doesnt engage the actutor to pull the cable and "tightly seal" it and so the result is teh taiglate is locked but it is not sealed properly and air gets into the cabin when at higher speeds. No alarms or messages are shown in the cabin.
I checked the Fuses in the Middle seat, I think it was 3 of them and they are all fine.
I dont believe its hydraulics as I cannot hear any noises.
I think its the Actuator (the one in the foam enclosure) because when I close that this actuator is supposed to pull the cable to close it but it doesnt it just makes a tick or whatever and only occasionally does it actually close but then it instantly opens back up again? Its really really confusing because even the new one didnt fix it. Could the wiring loom itself which there is a white plug that plugs into the actuator - could that be faulty?
Really need some assistance here.....Ive blown almost $1000 on new parts, and shipping from the US to get this fixed. (Im in Aus)
Thanks!
Jesse
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 77
From: New Jersey
GL 450
Trunk
It sounds like you have an older one if you have hydraulics.
I have the mechanical system, turns out mine was the control module in the body panel. You can have the dealer troubleshoot, recode it. Apparently there is a reset that can be done to fix it. Assuming the modulator is the issue, not much to go on.
I have the mechanical system, turns out mine was the control module in the body panel. You can have the dealer troubleshoot, recode it. Apparently there is a reset that can be done to fix it. Assuming the modulator is the issue, not much to go on.
