SL500 trunk release (sometimes)

[Mountie]

I hear the trunk release activate, then catch again. Is this an adjustment at the device? I do not own the car, so I don't have a repair manual. It takes a few attempts to get the trunk open.

Anyone experienced with this glitch? I believe it's a 2004....but I will find the exact year.

 

[television]

I hear the trunk release activate, then catch again. Is this an adjustment at the device? I do not own the car, so I don't have a repair manual. It takes a few attempts to get the trunk open.

Anyone experienced with this glitch? I believe it's a 2004....but I will find the exact year.

Welcome to out forum, I will see if I can find something.

Malcolm

 

[Mountie]

Welcome to out forum, I will see if I can find something.

Malcolm

It is a 2004 500 SL.....Again, the trunk release doesn't completly release, I have to play with it to open.

 

[eric242340]

First port of call on this issue is vacuum leaks, does the vacuum pump keep running when you try to open the boot. The pump, if running, is audible from iside the car.

 

[television]

SL PSE pumps cant run all of the time as they have a built in timer as do the other pumps, in the event of a leak on a 2004 car that would be rare.
The pump runs for 2 sec when the boot release is used.

This PSE pump is not the same as other vacuum pumps as this is a multi valve device with 10 separate outlets each doing its own thing on different parts of the car.

The fault is likely to be on the catch, though not to clear on wheat the term "fiddle with" means.


Malcolm

 

[eric242340]

SL PSE pumps cant run all of the time as they have a built in timer as do the other pumps, in the event of a leak on a 2004 car that would be rare.
The pump runs for 2 sec when the boot release is used.

This PSE pump is not the same as other vacuum pumps as this is a multi valve device with 10 separate outlets each doing its own thing on different parts of the car.

The fault is likely to be on the catch, though not to clear on wheat the term "fiddle with" means.


Malcolm

Nor am I, Could you explain it better?

 

[television]

Nor am I, Could you explain it better?

I think that I have explained it quite well off the top of my head.

Malcolm

 

[Pipemaster]

Time Out ...

I think Eric was agreeing with you and meant for the "Mountie" the "Poster" to better define the word "fiddle" rather than criticise your superlative exegesis of the solution Malcolm

 

[television]

I think Eric was agreeing with you and meant for the "Poster" to better define the word "fiddle" rather than critisise your exemplorary exogesis of the soultion Malcolm

Yes reading it again you do have a point.

Malcolm

 

[Mountie]

I think Eric was agreeing with you and meant for the "Mountie" the "Poster" to better define the word "fiddle" rather than criticise your superlative exegesis of the solution Malcolm

O.K., O.K.,.... quiet down......

I took a look at my friend's 500 SL today. Uh, the "fiddling" was a description she gave me, when she would hit the release button, and when she would hear A SECOND SOUND, the trunk would not release completly.

Having said that, I tried to re-create the problem & of coarse, it didn't happen. But, I do now understand the vacuum actuator & the 'noise'. There seems to be a lag time from the 'click' of the button, and the actual motion of the actuator working, which seems normal. ...I removed the plastic cover at the trunk lid, thinking it was a clearance problem, but that changed nothing.

I did notice her key-fob trunk release button was indented, and wondering if that had anything to do with it?

But anyway, I will let you know if it sticks again, since it didn't happen for an hour, I was playing with it.

Oh, ..one more thing... I did turn the actual key in the trunk lock a few times, and noticed you cannot remove the key in the lock position... It won't turn 90 degrees to the full lock. You can ONLY pull the key out at the unlock position. ??????

 

[type49]

These suffer from vacuum leaks under the front seats for the lumber control. Usually the passenger one, check if lumber works OK.

 

[television]

These suffer from vacuum leaks under the front seats for the lumber control. Usually the passenger one, check if lumber works OK.

Not the same part of the PSE pump for this fault, each vacuum line is on its own ,there are 10 outputs on the pump and they do not interact with each other.

Malcolm

 

[Mountie]

I appreciate your comments. I do not have much experience with late model Mercedes. My inspections allowed me to sense the mechanical & vacuum sounds. So far the glitch has not repeated, but if it does, I may be able to note a difference, and search that area, or post another reply.

I am going to figure out why the mechanical trunk lock ( for actual key) won't turn 90 degrees to lock.

Thank you very much! Peter Howell, Newport Beach, California.

 

[Mountie]

Well, maybe I'm just lucky, but I figured out what may be the problem with the trunk not opening up correctly.

The door & remote trunk release buttons were not pushed long enough. Maybe there is a slight delay, but a quarter second "press -n- hold" seems to open the trunk.

 

[television]

Well, maybe I'm just lucky, but I figured out what may be the problem with the trunk not opening up correctly.

The door & remote trunk release buttons were not pushed long enough. Maybe there is a slight delay, but a quarter second "press -n- hold" seems to open the trunk.

Yes,the boot release must be held for 3 sec to allow the pump to charge and release the lock

 

[Mountie]

Ya see? "Fiddle with" the lock DOES result in a fix. Ha.

The owners manual doesn't mention the '3 second' technique. Funny..... The local Mercedes dealer failed twice in solving the problem.

Sometimes, I work on race cars...... I learned, that nothing is 'normal' when it comes to troubleshooting, and "don't be afraid to ask".

Thanks guys!

( I need to get to England some day..... I have 2 OLD family mystery's over there I'd like to check out)