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Problem with electrics in tailgate

Tightarse

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2020
Messages
17
Location
UK
Car
E Class S211 2003 320cdi Avantgarde., Porsche BoxsterS, MG midget, Renault Megane
Hi, I have a 2003 E Class T model 320cdi S211 Avangarde, I have a problem with the electrics in the tail gate, the number plate lights don't work also reversing lights don't work, the central locking on the tailgate isn't working. I read in the forum about a heavy brown wire which can get broken near to the tailgate hinge on the right side, this appears to be an earth wire, I checked this from its connection on the tailgate to as far as I could reach into the roof space for continuity and was OK, I even ran a temporary earth from the rear SIM to the tailgate. I believe the fuse in the rear SIM No 11 is for the tailgate and is OK. There is a black box in the tailgate which most wires go to, I suspect this could be a problem, but not sure exactly what it does, have you guys any ideas? Please.
 
Try running a wire from exposed metal on the car to exposed metal on the tailgate, then see if anything works.
A wire can braek within the insulation, a good pull 'can' casue the wire to stretch from the break.

That might be a reasonable starting point.
 
Try running a wire from exposed metal on the car to exposed metal on the tailgate, then see if anything works.
A wire can braek within the insulation, a good pull 'can' casue the wire to stretch from the break.

That might be a reasonable starting point.
Yeh I tried that already, but no difference! thanks.
 
Do any wires come out of the black box and go to different units in the tailgate?

It could just be a junction box or the tailgate lock solenoid.

Also check for a live feed coming through the tailgate hinge area.
 
Hi Mike, Yes the main wiring loom from the tailgate hinge goes to this box and wires come from it to the wiper motor, the locking mechanism, the number plate lights and the reversing lights. I have taken it off and there are clips at either end which I have opened and reveal a circuit board with lots of memory chips on it, one small chip in the middle has a bump on it which looks like it shouldn't be there. Before I took this out, the motor which pulls the tailgate closed, is fed from this box and still works so I am happy that a supply to it is OK, I am going to get another box to try it, I hope it will cure the problem, I'll let you know. Thanks.
 
Seems like the chip has blown, hopefully the new box will resolve your issues.
 
Yeh fingers crossed just worried if its a problem with one of the units controlled by this box when I reconnect it could blow again, I'll have to check them all separately and see what happens while I wait for the new box. Will update here.
 
Well the new (second hand) box arrived I checked the connected units in the tail gate, still didn't know what this box is so rang a German friend who translated to "back or rear door control module", connected it to all the wiring, rear wiper OK, number plate lights working, reversing lights working and best of all tailgate lock working, after months ago being told it needed a new lock as they always go! so for £60 all fixed nothing to do with the earth wire! Thanks for the advice guys.
 
Hi Tightarse. Can you tell me the part number of the part you fitted please? I am experiencing a similar fault inasmuch as my tailgate will not lift or lower electrically, but it does lock.
TIA

Keith
 
Hi Tightarse. Can you tell me the part number of the part you fitted please? I am experiencing a similar fault inasmuch as my tailgate will not lift or lower electrically, but it does lock.
TIA

Keith
Hi my car doesn't have the lift/ lower facility you describe, the box is called Rueckwandtuer-Steuergeraet ( back door control module) part number 029 545 06 32 (00) and is located to the right in the tailgate, Good Luck !
 
Hi my car does not have the lift/lower facility you describe, the box is called Rueckwandtuer-Steuergeraet (Backdoor Control module) part number 029 545 06 32 (00) and is located to the right inside the tailgate Good Luck
 

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