Tailgate Latch
 

Battery went flat.
Seemed to recover with some charging and a jump start.
Haven't fully checked out yet as we were going away for 3 days (left car at home).
I disconnected battery to clean negative terminal which was a bit dirty.
Now electric tailgate latch won't latch shut. (Std tailgate Not power open/close type).
It wirrrs when you pull the handle but will not latch tailgate when you close it. I did open it or had it open when I disconnected the battery.

Is there something to reprogram .....

Or is it the wet Sam problem?

Thanks.

You need to reprogram I think. I did read it on this forum. Do a search on trunk lock or tailgate lock. That's how I found it.

Btw I just replaced my trunk lock mech. Got it off eBay USA for $270 new (build date is stamped on it, mine was 09 and new was 14). Only took 15 mins to replace and saved a ton by not using MB.

So got back from Easter - battery was real flat (4.5 volts). So disconnected, charged it up, held charge fine, left battery disconnected till we sent to Dealer (with tailgate tied shut!!).
They checked out - was just the tailgate latch faulty. Only $770 odd :o: for latch in New Zealand plus GST (15%) (which we don't claim on personal use or items).

https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...h-problem.html

I've had zero issue since moving the latch plate.

I had to replace mine, my fault really.

Stuffed the boot full for our Christmas getaway last year, making the latching motor pull itself close fighting against all the luggage. It sounded like it ground a few teeth off inside the unit and wouldn't always close properly. Until it finally gave up.

Hence new latching mech.

Ours wasn't attempting to latch at all, i.e. the catch would always be in open position even if you pushed it into the closed position with something. No noises - it would only wirrr every second time you pulled the handle which I assume was it saying to unlock it.
After reading on here thought it could also be something to do with the rear SAM so had it diagnosed at the Dealer - didn't want to throw parts at it for nothing.
The battery doesn't seem to be draining now.