Soft close door latch mechanism failure
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 109
Likes: 92
2006 S350L
Soft close door latch mechanism failure
It seems like right after I finished my Audison project, not only I, but many people in this forum acquired a variety of problems.
We are still dealing with the ABS/ESP situation, and ontop of that we have a new situation now, the passenger front door latch "soft close" doesn't work, and comes back with an error about microswitch stuck.
Basically the door closes, but the soft-pull doesn't work anymore, you have to hit the door rather firmly to close it.
(This is one of those times that having a simple car i.e. W221 S280 w/o any of this stuff sounds good)
Tried to buy a new door latch mechanism from the dealer new, however it's no longer being sold.
Bought a used one, which was subsequently installed by the dealer, it worked for about 10 minutes, then got stuck.
Now, buying a "OEM new" (basically what I consider a copy mechanism) for 450 EUR and we'll install it tomorrow and see what happens.
All of this started quite violently, and I notice also that a lot of people in the 221 forum have problems as well that just literally popped up out of nowhere.
I hope this bad season goes away fast for all of us.
I don't mind fixing things, but I don't like these annoying problems, i.e. the other friend here with the fuel pump etc, these things are unpleasant.
All the best & fast repairs/recovery to the team!
We are still dealing with the ABS/ESP situation, and ontop of that we have a new situation now, the passenger front door latch "soft close" doesn't work, and comes back with an error about microswitch stuck.
Basically the door closes, but the soft-pull doesn't work anymore, you have to hit the door rather firmly to close it.
(This is one of those times that having a simple car i.e. W221 S280 w/o any of this stuff sounds good)
Tried to buy a new door latch mechanism from the dealer new, however it's no longer being sold.
Bought a used one, which was subsequently installed by the dealer, it worked for about 10 minutes, then got stuck.
Now, buying a "OEM new" (basically what I consider a copy mechanism) for 450 EUR and we'll install it tomorrow and see what happens.
All of this started quite violently, and I notice also that a lot of people in the 221 forum have problems as well that just literally popped up out of nowhere.
I hope this bad season goes away fast for all of us.
I don't mind fixing things, but I don't like these annoying problems, i.e. the other friend here with the fuel pump etc, these things are unpleasant.
All the best & fast repairs/recovery to the team!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
these cars are not normal and their reliability is "special"
they are for people whose day to day decision making are on who lives or dies - repair costs weren't on the agenda
.
they are for people whose day to day decision making are on who lives or dies - repair costs weren't on the agenda
.
Last edited by BOTUS; Aug 7, 2025 at 03:22 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 784
Likes: 249
From: USA
Yeah, the W221’s soft-close gremlins are a pain especially when even used parts fail fast. That OEM new latch might be the fix, but these electrical hiccups popping up everywhere lately are just bad luck. Here’s hoping it holds and the ABS/ESP mess clears up soon. Annoying problems, but at least we’re all in it together. Fingers crossed for smoother rides ahead.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 772
1983 Nissan Shltbox
Can't imagine this one being the result of bass vibration, it's a door switch that gets slammed all the time. Should be pretty robust. If it's a stuck switch, is it possible to disassemble, clean and reassemble? If not, lots of options on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...023.m570.l1313
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...023.m570.l1313
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
I don't think it should cause the issue you have - but its worth a try - all four door modules needed a software update re continued behaviour of the windows
if this has not been done - and many remain outstanding - I'm wondering if it helps the lying soft close switches
if this has not been done - and many remain outstanding - I'm wondering if it helps the lying soft close switches
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 109
Likes: 92
2006 S350L
Hello,
I have the car back. ABS is fixed, Door Soft close is fixed, and I drove it 200 kilometers with an average fuel burn of 9.7L/100.
All is good, we are back to [OK] status.
ABS in the end was not a sensor issue, the ABS computer on the ABS pump was re-flowed (CPU in there was re-flowed) and problem solved.
I have the car back. ABS is fixed, Door Soft close is fixed, and I drove it 200 kilometers with an average fuel burn of 9.7L/100.
All is good, we are back to [OK] status.
ABS in the end was not a sensor issue, the ABS computer on the ABS pump was re-flowed (CPU in there was re-flowed) and problem solved.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 109
Likes: 92
2006 S350L
>> What about the door latch?
This was replaced with a used unit, the "OEM" copy was a joke, dealer returned it for a refund.
Weird that it failed, nobody slams doors on this car so it's quite odd. 240 EUR for the used mechanism btw..
This was replaced with a used unit, the "OEM" copy was a joke, dealer returned it for a refund.
Weird that it failed, nobody slams doors on this car so it's quite odd. 240 EUR for the used mechanism btw..
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 109
Likes: 92
2006 S350L
The old module was destroyed when the guys tried to fix the microswitch
The US has very cheap parts, regrettably here this isn't the case
I also wanted the car **NOW** so my options were limited
I could give a @#$ about 240, I just wanted the car.
I believe we'll be OK now, this was just a weird detour off the road of peace & tranquility, it's over now.... yes... it's over.... back to tranquility and peace..... yes.... peace on Earth and peace be with my fleet.
<lol>
The US has very cheap parts, regrettably here this isn't the case
I also wanted the car **NOW** so my options were limited
I could give a @#$ about 240, I just wanted the car.
I believe we'll be OK now, this was just a weird detour off the road of peace & tranquility, it's over now.... yes... it's over.... back to tranquility and peace..... yes.... peace on Earth and peace be with my fleet.
<lol>
