I have a 2008 GL450 with the Keyless Go feature. My driver side rear door exterior handle is stuck in the open position. The door opens intermittently, but generally I can't open the door from either the interior or exterior handles, and the lock/unlock Keyless Go button on the door handle does not function, although the door will actually lock if I use the keyfob. I figured I'd get it fixed at the dealer at the next service. Then a few days ago, the same thing happened to my driver's door. The exterior handle remains partially out, and sometimes I can't get the door to open and must crawl over the console to enter/exit the passenger side. Needless to say this is not something I could live with for even a short period so I dropped it off at the dealer this morning. They have had it all day and can't figure out what is wrong. They plan to work on it tomorrow and early next week. Has anyone had this issue? Is it common? Do you know the fix? Thanks.
Don't know what the problem is but exactly the same thing happened to us yesterday on the driver side outside handle - handle is stuck in the partly open position. Door seems to latch - no trouble messages when running. Have appointment with a dealer tomorrow to replace the handle assy. Let you all know what happen(s).
What happened with your handle issues?
They replaced the actuators on each door (at least that is the part name that I recall...I don't have the receipt in front of me, but can get it if you need the info). They had not seen this issue before, so parts were not readily available. They couldn't find the parts in the US, so they thought they would need to order them from Germany, but they put the request out on some internal dealer service posting, and found some at a dealer in Canada. They had my car for about 7 days while waiting for the parts to come in, but they gave me an E Class loaner. Fixed correctly the first time and the issue has not recurred. Good luck with yours.
Seems kind of funny they said parts in Germany, since the car is built in Alabama.
need to add one thing - ...built in Alabama from parts made in Germany
Update on my door handle problem: Called dealer in Portland on Thursday (where we were going to be anyway last Friday), explained problem to the parts guy and asked if a replacement door handle, drivers side, front door, was available in stock. It wasn't of course but he did a search and found a handle, the ONLY ONE IN THE COUNTRY, he said, in California "can be here by 9:30AM Friday". I had him order it and made an appointment with the service department for 11:00 AM. Told them the parts were ordered.
Arrived at 10:30AM to find the parts were NOT in, and NO chance to get it repaired before the weekend. The service advisor agreed that the handle should not stick out that way and that I was correct in NOT using a hammer to put it back in place! He said they did not know of it was a problem with the handle or the latch. He also said he had seen a few of the '08 GLs with this problem (he claimed it wasn't a 'generic' thing but my opinion is otherwise.
New appointment fot next Thursday. Try again.
No mention made of anything called an 'actuator'.
Just out of curiosity I looked up the part numbers on EPC [thanks ikchris] for both the door handle (left front) and the corresponding lock (latch mechanism) for both my '08 GL and my '07 GL [I still have the VIN number for the '07]:
For the '08:
handle, L Front
A 164-760-03-70 (for code 889-keyless go)
A 164-760-05-70 (for not keyless go)
door lock, L Front
A 164-720-11-35 (for keyless go)
A 164-720-09-35 (for not keyless go)
For the '07:
handle, L Front
A 164-760-05-70 (apparently no difference re keyless go or not)
door lock, L Front
A 164-720-19-35 (with or without keyless go)
Interestingly, the handle part numbers changed - indicating something different - for the keyless go feature but NOT for the 'old fashioned' type. The latch mechanism (lock as M-B calls it) is different in all versions. It will be interesting to find out if this common failure occurs only in a) the '08 keyless go cars with the GL body or b) if non keyless go and '07s also have the problem. If a) there is probably a common mode failure mechanism in the redesigned latch (door lock) mechanism. So much for unproven design changes!
Last edited by Fourdiesel : 08-28-2008 at 05:43 PM.
Today's update:
Just before I started the trip to Portland to let the dealer 'have at it' to find out which part is the problem. I got in the car to start it and the door wouldn't stay shut! [I DIDN'T want to drive down the freeway holding the door shut with one hand!] So I slammed the door closed hard three times. It still didn't stay shut. As I got out, I pulled the INNER door release full out and got out and pulled the outer handle out. EUREKA, the outer handle went all the way back in when I let go, the door latched shut, and everything was like nothing had ever happened!
Took it to the dealer anyway (I had an appointment after all) and the SA assured me that the lock (latch) assembly is still on order and, when it comes in he will notify me and it WILL be replaced.
Our GL 320 has had a series of recent problems which started with the black battery warning (which required most of a day at the dealership to remove the passenger seat to replace the battery) and most recently malfunctions with the driver's door handle and lock assembly (with keyless go) - the door handle is permanently in the open position, the operation of the door handle is intermittent and keyless go doesn't work - followed by the same malfunction on the driver's side rear door. We have an appointment with the dealer to have this looked at.
We have also had problems with the rear entertaintment system audio system (which required a firmware update) and a recall to replace the trailer hitch.
In light of the repeated problems, I am considering purchasing an extended waranty for this vehicle. Any experiences / thoughts on MB extended warranties?
I have a 2008 GL450 with the Keyless Go feature. My driver side rear door exterior handle is stuck in the open position. The door opens intermittently, but generally I can't open the door from either the interior or exterior handles, and the lock/unlock Keyless Go button on the door handle does not function, although the door will actually lock if I use the keyfob. I figured I'd get it fixed at the dealer at the next service. Then a few days ago, the same thing happened to my driver's door. The exterior handle remains partially out, and sometimes I can't get the door to open and must crawl over the console to enter/exit the passenger side. Needless to say this is not something I could live with for even a short period so I dropped it off at the dealer this morning. They have had it all day and can't figure out what is wrong. They plan to work on it tomorrow and early next week. Has anyone had this issue? Is it common? Do you know the fix? Thanks.
How many miles did you have when this problem first occurred?
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