2011 ML350 power liftgate not working
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2011 ML350 Bluetec
2011 ML350 power liftgate not working
Hello,
I have a 2011 ML350 Bluetec with 42k miles. The power liftgate has stopped working. If the liftgate is in the closed position and I press the open button, the gate simply unlatches and then relatches closed a few moments later. I can hear the liftgate pump whirring during this time. Similarly, if the liftgate is open and I press the close button, I can hear the liftgate motor whirring 2 times with no movement of the liftgate. Anybody have any ideas what may be wrong or if this is a common problem? Thanks in advance.
I have a 2011 ML350 Bluetec with 42k miles. The power liftgate has stopped working. If the liftgate is in the closed position and I press the open button, the gate simply unlatches and then relatches closed a few moments later. I can hear the liftgate pump whirring during this time. Similarly, if the liftgate is open and I press the close button, I can hear the liftgate motor whirring 2 times with no movement of the liftgate. Anybody have any ideas what may be wrong or if this is a common problem? Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: On the beautiful Oregon Coast
03 SL Kleemann, 97 SL320 pano top, 95 Lorinser E320 Cabrio, Ferrari 360, Tesla X
Diagnosis of lift gate pump
Having codes read is certainly a quick and reliable method to diagnose the problem. However, the most common reason for failure of the lift gate system is drowning/corrosion, even if the pump motor is still turning.
Lift up the carpet in the rear cargo area, and try to find the pump. The pump is inside a black, plastic housing with two small hydraulic hoses and a wiring harness coming out of it. Open the housing and inspect the pump. Do you see a lot of corrosion on it (from water getting into that area)? Voila...
Top Hydraulics offers core exchange for the pump units at a fraction of what you would be paying the dealer. That means we send you a pump from our inventory first (filled with fluid), then you replace the pump, then you send back your old one for a refund of your deposit. This is particularly convenient on late model MLs, where you cannot buy a replacement pump from the dealer without the cylinder and hoses attached, and where it is important to swap the pump without moving the lift gate while the pump is disconnected.
Klaus
Lift up the carpet in the rear cargo area, and try to find the pump. The pump is inside a black, plastic housing with two small hydraulic hoses and a wiring harness coming out of it. Open the housing and inspect the pump. Do you see a lot of corrosion on it (from water getting into that area)? Voila...
Top Hydraulics offers core exchange for the pump units at a fraction of what you would be paying the dealer. That means we send you a pump from our inventory first (filled with fluid), then you replace the pump, then you send back your old one for a refund of your deposit. This is particularly convenient on late model MLs, where you cannot buy a replacement pump from the dealer without the cylinder and hoses attached, and where it is important to swap the pump without moving the lift gate while the pump is disconnected.
Klaus
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: On the beautiful Oregon Coast
03 SL Kleemann, 97 SL320 pano top, 95 Lorinser E320 Cabrio, Ferrari 360, Tesla X
It was worth a try - I should have asked you to check the fluid level in the pump's reservoir. That should be more than half full. If it checks out okay, then you should follow plutoe's advice and have codes read.
Klaus
Klaus
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2011 ML350 Bluetec
I checked the fluid level in the reservoir this past weekend and actually added a bit just in case. But it didn't help the situation.
