S212 tailgate won't latch. 200 miles from home, help!

[SW18]

So. Am on holiday, packed the boot to drive home, and it won't fully latch! It closes itself as usual and does the whirring noise of the catch closing as usual, then it partially unlatches again. The tailgate is closed, but is slightly loose, and the 'boot open' warning message shows on the instrument panel. I'm guessing it thinks there's an obstruction but there's nothing near. I'm debating with myself whether to risk it and press on home or try to find a repair.

Can anyone advise what's likely to have happened, what the risk is of the boot opening itself, and whether this is a repair that any garage can do, or do I need to find an MB garage?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Petrol Pete]

Different car but try Slamming the tailgate down (yes slam , sorry) and press the lock button on the key fob at the same time , I find pressing it multiple times works. . I have a similar (intermittent) fault on my tailgate latch. I have convinced myself that one of the switches in the tailgate is 'bouncing' and unlocking the latch as it hits home.

I have absolutely no proof that this is the case but it works for me until I can be bothered to strip the tailgate down for a closer look.

Even after the above and the tailgate is firmly shut I get the 'tailgate open warning' which I ignore until it goes away . So far the tailgate has not popped open.

Good luck.

 

[Londonscottish]

Something similar happened on my 211. In that case I needed a whole new lock assembly.

 

[SW18]

Different car but try Slamming the tailgate down (yes slam , sorry) and press the lock button on the key fob at the same time , I find pressing it multiple times works. . I have a similar (intermittent) fault on my tailgate latch. I have convinced myself that one of the switches in the tailgate is 'bouncing' and unlocking the latch as it hits home.

I have absolutely no proof that this is the case but it works for me until I can be bothered to strip the tailgate down for a closer look.

Even after the above and the tailgate is firmly shut I get the 'tailgate open warning' which I ignore until it goes away . So far the tailgate has not popped open.

Good luck.

Thanks - partially worked, it seems partly latched and feels secure. It'll get me home and then I'm booked in for repair next week.

 

[BigJase88]

If that fails some rope round the rear wiper and down under the car somewhere. Even fit the rear tow hook to tie around

 

[Petrol Pete]

Please let us know how the repair turns out.

 

[SW18]

Please let us know how the repair turns out.

Will do! It's booked for Tuesday.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sorry to hear this. We had it on a W164 ML and it required a replacement latch. Travel safely.

 

[SW18]

A quick update. The repair needed the latch, drive unit and a cable. Parts were £181 plus an hour's labour to fit them. Not too bad all in all.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

A quick update. The repair needed the latch, drive unit and a cable. Parts were £181 plus an hour's labour to fit them. Not too bad all in all.

Glad it’s sorted quickly!

 

[Rikesh]

Hi think I have a boot locking issue on my 320 ML. It's not electric tailgate, manual. The boot lock won't pull the door in and lock it. I hear the motor doing its thing but it seems its cutting out. I manage to close it but then it wouldn't unlock. I climbed in from the back into the boot and released the boot to open it via the lever behind the plastic cover. I can hear the motor trying to realease and open it but it's not doing it fully. I slammed the boot shut and then it worked for a few attempts but the motor sound rattling. I think my boot lock actuator is on its way out. Any idea of the cost to replace this.. Will get indy garage to do it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Rikesh]

Glad it’s sorted quickly!

Hi glad your is sorted. Where did you get your fixed.. Mine needs doing now. Thanks Rikesh

 

[Londonscottish]

A quick update. The repair needed the latch, drive unit and a cable. Parts were £181 plus an hour's labour to fit them. Not too bad all in all.

Sounds like exactly the issue I had with my 211.

Has your Tesla showed up yet?

 

[SW18]

Sounds like exactly the issue I had with my 211.

Has your Tesla showed up yet?

Haven't got one on the way yet! But I'm pondering going for it... well remembered!

 

[SW18]

Hi think I have a boot locking issue on my 320 ML. It's not electric tailgate, manual. The boot lock won't pull the door in and lock it. I hear the motor doing its thing but it seems its cutting out. I manage to close it but then it wouldn't unlock. I climbed in from the back into the boot and released the boot to open it via the lever behind the plastic cover. I can hear the motor trying to realease and open it but it's not doing it fully. I slammed the boot shut and then it worked for a few attempts but the motor sound rattling. I think my boot lock actuator is on its way out. Any idea of the cost to replace this.. Will get indy garage to do it. Thanks in advance.

Mine was fixed by my local independent Merc specialist. £181 the part plus an hour of labour to fit it. Maybe the manual tailgate has a different part though.

 

[johnsco]

I had this problem with the E280 cdi Estate.
These electric tail-gate locks are something of a pain.
The guy at MB said ... "Oh ... We sell hundreds of these"
HUNDREDS !!!

 

[Londonscottish]

Haven't got one on the way yet! But I'm pondering going for it... well remembered!

Hang on I think if was Mr E who said he was selling his 500 and getting a Tesla.

The 500's gone to a forum member so maye his Teslas arrived.

 

[Rikesh]

Mine was fixed by my local independent Merc specialist. £181 the part plus an hour of labour to fit it. Maybe the manual tailgate has a different part though.

Hi thanks. Who your mechanic. Mine quoted £320 supy and fit a replacement merc latch. I'm based in Leicester.

 

[SW18]

Hi thanks. Who your mechanic. Mine quoted £320 supy and fit a replacement merc latch. I'm based in Leicester.

It's a local independent near me in South London. £320 might be ok though, if the ML latch is a different part at higher cost. Did they tell you what the cost is made up of? How much is for the part and how much it is to fit it?

I suggest shopping around: you could call your local main MB dealer to ask them for a quote. Or try Autodoc website to find the cost of the part for your model.

 

[SW18]

Hang on I think if was Mr E who said he was selling his 500 and getting a Tesla.

The 500's gone to a forum member so maye his Teslas arrived.

That's funny - I have been having similar thoughts though and may go for it ready for next year's 'motoring season'.