Jun 12, 2015, 07:07 PM
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Electronic Trunk Problem
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 230
Likes: 14
From: Frisco, TX
GLE55
Electronic Trunk Problem
I searched and found a couple of threads on this but nothing that specifically replicates the issue I'm having.. pulled the latch to open the trunk and it opens halfway and stops. I push it up the rest of the way then press the button to close it and nothing. (pretty sure the button light is usually illuminated, mines dead). Tried the key and button inside car to no avail. Started the car and I start seeing error messages cycle, "right side plate lamp" "left side plate lamp" "center brake light". Had to run a quick errand and after shutting the car off and turning it back on the error messages disappeared and haven't come back but the trunk will still only open halfway, and will not close unless I manually shut it. Tried checking for a blown fuse but the fuse map doesn't specifically mention which fuse goes to the trunk motor. I have a warranty but was hoping to save a trip to the stealer. TIA.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
It could be the trunk lid wiring harness needs rerouting, control module needs replacement with modified version, or potentiometer needs replacement. I would suggest you take advantage of the warranty rather than DIY - SDS should identify problem via stored fault code(s).
Last edited by konigstiger; Mar 25, 2010 at 07:08 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
2005 S55 1982 300dt
Reminds me of the kinds of gremlins that show up when the rear SAM module is acting up. Costs about $350 at parts.com but someone with Star has to code the new part. Might want to do a search on rear SAM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
You can have my trunk if you buy my car Scott...haha...Do you go to PP..? Ed Bonelli has always been really cool about my warranty stuff. Maybe you can snag one of the awesome GLK loaners 
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area (Plainfield)
2004 E55 White
Has a simialr problem with mine. Turned out to be a bad wire to the trunk. I don't remember exactly how much it cost to fix, but I didn't have a heart attack when I got the bill.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2005 E55
Same exact problem occurred with my trunk this morning....
Has anyone narrowed down what the exact problem is? Mine opens and then stops half way... then i open it fully. The trunk close button still works to close though...
Has anyone narrowed down what the exact problem is? Mine opens and then stops half way... then i open it fully. The trunk close button still works to close though...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
2004 E55
the e55 is prone to having trunk wires cut...trace the wires
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2005 E55
THanks,
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee, Georgia
2003 E55, previous: E36 M3
The trunk has a restricted height setting which keeps it from going all the way up. To change back, push the trunk opening button on the drivers side door and hold for 5 seconds. This will turn off the trunk height restriction. I had the same problem, and the owners manual was very unclear on how to reset. I did this and my trunk now opens all the way.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
W211 E55
where can I find this wiring harness? Which panels does it route under? I'm having this issue intermitently too. The trunk opening switch also doesn't unlock by itself anymore when physically trying to open the trunk by pressing the switch above the licenseplate.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
2005 E55
its on the drivers side trunk strut.. you just pull off the plastic cover and drivers side carpet.. you'll see the wiring harness under there.. You'll be able to see where the wiring harness snags on the spring mechanism.
Last edited by lightningfast7; Nov 18, 2010 at 03:54 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
////E55
My trunk is driving me nuts...! Sometimes it opens perfectly, sometimes it wont. I tried to open it today using the key fob. I clicked OPEN, and it unlatched, but didn't open. I opened it manually and then tried to shut it... but it wouldn't so I tried to just shut it by hand.... no joy. It wouldn't close. then all of a sudden, it opened all the way nd I was able to close it using the button on the trunk. I tested it about 10 times and it worked perfectly each time but on the final test open/shut, the entire truck stayed open and there was nothing I could do to get it to close. I guess I will have my first service appointment on my E55. I'm glad I have the CPO warranty.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
2005 E320
2005 E320
Im having the same issues, third brake light out, left and right lamp out, interior trunk lights out, trunk switch to open not working. I will check the wiring on the left strut of trunk for snags.
will report back
thanks
will report back
thanks
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
2005 E320
Trunk Wire fracture
after reading posts here, I also checked my wiring harness in the trunk, as my interior trunk lights and license lamps and 3rd brake light were not working nor was the trunk opening electronically.
I pulled the interior panel off of the trunk lid and removed the hinge plastic covers, I then removed 2 plastic rivet holders on the left side of trunk holding the side interior panel on, where the 12volt receptacle is. I gently pulled the panel down, but did not remove and found my broken power wire, Mine was brown in color, completely fractured and severed. I spliced it back together with an electrical connector and suddenly had interior lights back on. I should have used a soder gun (spelling) to repair wire but it was late and wife needed car the next day and all is working fine now.
I pulled the interior panel off of the trunk lid and removed the hinge plastic covers, I then removed 2 plastic rivet holders on the left side of trunk holding the side interior panel on, where the 12volt receptacle is. I gently pulled the panel down, but did not remove and found my broken power wire, Mine was brown in color, completely fractured and severed. I spliced it back together with an electrical connector and suddenly had interior lights back on. I should have used a soder gun (spelling) to repair wire but it was late and wife needed car the next day and all is working fine now.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 57
E550
I had the same exact problem, loss of electronic trunk, 3rd brake light and both license plate lights. Had an appointment at dealership thsi weekend to get it fixed but decided to take a look. Took off panels as stated above and sure enough thick solid brown wire and thin solid brown wire were severed. Soldered them back together and all problems solved. Took about half hr.
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
E55 AMG, C32 AMG
My trunk close lights are not illuminating. My trunk closes fine from the inside, and all the other lights are fine.
Also, if I move the trunk around, the close lights illuminate at some angle. So, I am sure I have the wire problem.
I removed the trunk lid, and the plastic underneath it to expose the battery. Where do I go from there? Can someone please post the picture of the offending wire and its location? Do I have to remove something else? The toolbox etc in order to get to it?
Thanks in advance.
Also, if I move the trunk around, the close lights illuminate at some angle. So, I am sure I have the wire problem.
I removed the trunk lid, and the plastic underneath it to expose the battery. Where do I go from there? Can someone please post the picture of the offending wire and its location? Do I have to remove something else? The toolbox etc in order to get to it?
Thanks in advance.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 57
E550
My trunk close lights are not illuminating. My trunk closes fine from the inside, and all the other lights are fine.
Also, if I move the trunk around, the close lights illuminate at some angle. So, I am sure I have the wire problem.
I removed the trunk lid, and the plastic underneath it to expose the battery. Where do I go from there? Can someone please post the picture of the offending wire and its location? Do I have to remove something else? The toolbox etc in order to get to it?
Thanks in advance.
Also, if I move the trunk around, the close lights illuminate at some angle. So, I am sure I have the wire problem.
I removed the trunk lid, and the plastic underneath it to expose the battery. Where do I go from there? Can someone please post the picture of the offending wire and its location? Do I have to remove something else? The toolbox etc in order to get to it?
Thanks in advance.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee, Georgia
2003 E55, previous: E36 M3
I'm having a similar issue. When I open the trunk it pops open, but does not raise. I then have to open manually. Then the close button will not close the trunk. The odd thing is that the trunk functions perfectly around 70% of the time. The issue only occurs periodically.
I took it to the dealer and they found two wires with broken insulation, but also said "performed electrical tests on trunk lid locking eye motor, found motor to have electrical failure.". This part and labor was some ridiculous price, so I declined the repairs. Since my trunk always locks, it seems odd that this is a lock motor issue. The trunk just doesn't open and close properly. Does this seem like a likely issue? The wire seem like the main issue, but they said I needed both items repaired.
They also said there were some codes stored on the issue. The paperwork doesn't note any codes.
I took it to the dealer and they found two wires with broken insulation, but also said "performed electrical tests on trunk lid locking eye motor, found motor to have electrical failure.". This part and labor was some ridiculous price, so I declined the repairs. Since my trunk always locks, it seems odd that this is a lock motor issue. The trunk just doesn't open and close properly. Does this seem like a likely issue? The wire seem like the main issue, but they said I needed both items repaired.
They also said there were some codes stored on the issue. The paperwork doesn't note any codes.
