Automatic trunk/open close problem
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Automatic trunk/open close problem
My problem is quite different than others I have read on this subject and I will try and explain as much as possible.
I have a 2003 S500. The trunk will open and close with the switch on the driver's side door. It will also open with the key fob. Lastly if I close it or open it with the two buttons on the trunk itself they both work.
Now here is the problem. No matter what I use to close the trunk I will get this sort of weird sound coming from the passenger side of the trunk. Once it closes and begin to latch the upper passenger side part of the trunk (near the rear window) will start to lift up and will not stop until I hit the trunk release button. Once it stops I literally have to push the part of the trunk that has lifted up back in place.
Before I go make an appointment with the dealer I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this problem?
If I manually close the trunk it will latch properly and doesn't lift the upper part of the trunk. It is almost as if either the shock on that side of the trunk is grinding or something isn't aligned right
Any ideas?
I have a 2003 S500. The trunk will open and close with the switch on the driver's side door. It will also open with the key fob. Lastly if I close it or open it with the two buttons on the trunk itself they both work.
Now here is the problem. No matter what I use to close the trunk I will get this sort of weird sound coming from the passenger side of the trunk. Once it closes and begin to latch the upper passenger side part of the trunk (near the rear window) will start to lift up and will not stop until I hit the trunk release button. Once it stops I literally have to push the part of the trunk that has lifted up back in place.
Before I go make an appointment with the dealer I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this problem?
If I manually close the trunk it will latch properly and doesn't lift the upper part of the trunk. It is almost as if either the shock on that side of the trunk is grinding or something isn't aligned right

Any ideas?
I have been through this EXACT issue. It turned out to be the passenger side hinge. The shocks were first replaced, thinking that they were worn out. The hydraulic system was checked, thinking that it wasn't stopping on time, possibly due to a faulty sensor. In the end, it turned out that the hinge pivot point had worn out and was seizing, causing much too much load on the hydraulics. The back of the trunk near the window pops up because the hydraulics don't see a change in load, as the regular load to close the trunk is over taxed due to the bad hinge, and the hydraulics just keep going.
The new hinge needs to be painted. Have the dealer try out the new hinge prior to getting it painted (they only come in primer), as putting it in was the only way to confirm this was the problem. It was a first for my dealer. 2006 part number is A2207500060. It's listed in EPC as 'drive'.
The new hinge needs to be painted. Have the dealer try out the new hinge prior to getting it painted (they only come in primer), as putting it in was the only way to confirm this was the problem. It was a first for my dealer. 2006 part number is A2207500060. It's listed in EPC as 'drive'.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
GasPrice,
Thanks for your response. Exactly the same problem that I have. At least now I feel like I'm not going totally stupid. How does one explain that when they close their trunk the upper lid pops up. I sort of thought it might have something to do with the hinge but the MB dealer and a few other mechanics said it was the hydraulic motor. That just didn't seem right because all of the hydraulics check out. I personally didn't think it was the trunk strut either.
So after doing some searching based on the information you provided I was able to come up with the parts that I probably need and am including them here for someone who may have the same problem in the future. The one part is the hinge and I also read where one might want to consider replacing the drive assembly (don't know if I'm going to do that).
Again, thanks for your response.
Thanks for your response. Exactly the same problem that I have. At least now I feel like I'm not going totally stupid. How does one explain that when they close their trunk the upper lid pops up. I sort of thought it might have something to do with the hinge but the MB dealer and a few other mechanics said it was the hydraulic motor. That just didn't seem right because all of the hydraulics check out. I personally didn't think it was the trunk strut either.
So after doing some searching based on the information you provided I was able to come up with the parts that I probably need and am including them here for someone who may have the same problem in the future. The one part is the hinge and I also read where one might want to consider replacing the drive assembly (don't know if I'm going to do that).
Again, thanks for your response.
Note: I've got a correction to your last post (I'm pretty sure). The left side of the trunk (item 13 in graphic) is the hinge. The right side of the trunk (18), the hinge is known as the 'drive'. It is the hinge and drive all in one. Left and Right are not the same. The little tab that drops down from the left side of the 'drive' in the picture is the ball that the hydraulic strut attaches to; just above that is the pivot point.
I will confirm with a photo post of the old hinge (I've still got it for some unknown reason).
Another note: the hydraulics are extremely powerful. Be sure to disconnect the power to the pump when working on the trunk lid.
One more note: My hydraulic motor wouldn't shut off sometimes, as it didn't think it had closed the trunk all the way. One morning I went out to go to work, and the battery was dead; it had drained it completely. Not a problem, I'll just jump start the car...but, the battery is in the trunk, and as the hinge was nearly siezed, I couldn't open the trunk manually (it wouldn't budge). I opened the trunk just 2-3 inches, and undid the four lid bolts, removed the lid, jumped the battery, made the appt, and had the hinge replaced.
I will confirm with a photo post of the old hinge (I've still got it for some unknown reason).
Another note: the hydraulics are extremely powerful. Be sure to disconnect the power to the pump when working on the trunk lid.
One more note: My hydraulic motor wouldn't shut off sometimes, as it didn't think it had closed the trunk all the way. One morning I went out to go to work, and the battery was dead; it had drained it completely. Not a problem, I'll just jump start the car...but, the battery is in the trunk, and as the hinge was nearly siezed, I couldn't open the trunk manually (it wouldn't budge). I opened the trunk just 2-3 inches, and undid the four lid bolts, removed the lid, jumped the battery, made the appt, and had the hinge replaced.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Thanks for the response. So you are saying that you only replaced the hinge and that fixed the problem. Therefore, I might want to try and replace the hinge before purchasing and installing a drive unit because they are two separate parts according to Mercedes. I don't want to make any unnecessary purchases. Found the hinge on the http://www.genuinemercedesparts.com website for about $160 and the drive unit for about $175.
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How to remove the right hinge
Any idea how to remove the right hinger and drive?. Have followed the guide in WIS, but without any luck.
It looks like the hinge and drive level is welded together?. According to WIS then I should move Leveler to side. Havr tried many things, but they still are well connected together.
Attach is WIS document showing the steps to remove the hinge/drive
The car is S400 CDI 2002.
It looks like the hinge and drive level is welded together?. According to WIS then I should move Leveler to side. Havr tried many things, but they still are well connected together.
Attach is WIS document showing the steps to remove the hinge/drive
The car is S400 CDI 2002.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
I don't know how to remove the hinge. I am still having the problem with my trunk. I will probably take mine to a auto body shop or the Mercedes dealer.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
Quote:
"One more note: My hydraulic motor wouldn't shut off sometimes, as it didn't think it had closed the trunk all the way. One morning I went out to go to work, and the battery was dead; it had drained it completely. Not a problem, I'll just jump start the car...but, the battery is in the trunk, and as the hinge was nearly siezed, I couldn't open the trunk manually (it wouldn't budge). I opened the trunk just 2-3 inches, and undid the four lid bolts, removed the lid, jumped the battery, made the appt, and had the hinge replaced."[/QUOTE]
This sounds familiar!
Could anybody look at my post here:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...ml#post5541915
Does anybody have the schematic/wiring for the trunk openingclosing system?
thnx
"One more note: My hydraulic motor wouldn't shut off sometimes, as it didn't think it had closed the trunk all the way. One morning I went out to go to work, and the battery was dead; it had drained it completely. Not a problem, I'll just jump start the car...but, the battery is in the trunk, and as the hinge was nearly siezed, I couldn't open the trunk manually (it wouldn't budge). I opened the trunk just 2-3 inches, and undid the four lid bolts, removed the lid, jumped the battery, made the appt, and had the hinge replaced."[/QUOTE]
This sounds familiar!
Could anybody look at my post here:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...ml#post5541915
Does anybody have the schematic/wiring for the trunk openingclosing system?
thnx
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Posted this a while ago and has lived with the problem. Just interested to see if anyone has tried to remove the right trunk hinge?



