[Bigkondor]

Hi everyone. I bought a 98 S420 a couple days ago and hoped I would not be here so soon. I have searched and read various problems with trunk operation, but cant find my specific issue. The first day I bought the car the trunk worked fine. I opened it yesterday, and could not get it to close. I read the manual and found out about the lever in the backside of trunk lid. My lever only goes one way, not both like the manual tells you, also does not effect the striker? on trunk lid. Finally I got the trunk closed by slamming it. When this is happening the chrome bar is just flopping around, will not retract. So, after I got the trunk closed, I started the car, immediately the trunk pops open........ Close it, start car trunk pops open. I tried removing #9 fuse, same problem. I can hear pump working for a few seconds. After letting the car sit, I started it, and trunk did not open.

Today, I messed with it a little bit, I worked the cam on the latch, and heard some noises, trunk closed fine 2-3 times, then same problem. The few times it worked properly, the chrome bar retracted perfectly.

Now same thing, have to slam trunk, chrome bar not retracting and trunk pops open when car is started.

Ideas??

 

[forcedawd]

I had the same issue a few months back -

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w140-s-class/2195233-1997-s500-trunk-closer-problem.html

The contact tab that the cam pushes in needs to be bent so that contact is constant during the entire motion of the cam.

 

[Bigkondor]

Thanks. Mine looks like your picture, the metal part is about that far away from cam. Is that what it looks like before or after you bend it? And your trunk was opening when starting, I have not read that before?? Thanks again.

 

[forcedawd]

That's how mine looked after I adjusted the tab. Keep in mind that it is a small adjustment that is needed to make sure the metal tab pushes in the contact switch that activates the vacuum pull down. My trunk lid didn't pop open when the car was started it just never pulled down all the way. This in turn kept my trunk lights on and the red led on the dash switch was on indicating the trunk was open. That is way the chrome trunk handle pops back out.

 

[Bigkondor]

yeah, mine when it works, pulls down fine. Also when I move the cam and the cam contacts the switch you can here the motor, but the chrome bar doesnt pull in. Mine is not that issue I dont think.

 

[Rallyus]

Hi,


If the handle does not retract, I suspect that this is because you released the emergency latch on the interior of the trunk lid.

Also, check the vacuum pipe that goes to the handle.


You may also require an adjustment to the close assist pump.

Is you soft close system working for the driver and passenger doors?

 

[Bigkondor]

The soft close is fine for all the doors. I don't think I tripped the emergency switch because it's not locked out, it's more floppy out if that makes sense. What I'm not understanding and haven't been able to locate anything on is why it opens the trunk when I start car.

 

[Rallyus]

The soft close is fine for all the doors. I don't think I tripped the emergency switch because it's not locked out, it's more floppy out if that makes sense. What I'm not understanding and haven't been able to locate anything on is why it opens the trunk when I start car.

If it opens when you start the car, it's the switch.

Bend that plate towards the cam.

Also, pull fuse 9 and re-insert to reset the system (i think it's 9)

 

[shimshon]

Don't argue just follow the advice of these wise gentlemen. I had the problem of my chrome handle popping out and did the adjustment as they suggested and behold it works perfectly now. Thanks again

Seth

 

[Bigkondor]

Don't argue just follow the advice of these wise gentlemen. I had the problem of my chrome handle popping out and did the adjustment as they suggested and behold it works perfectly now. Thanks again

Seth

Thanks Shimshon, I really had no idea asking questions was arguing. Really? Well I am so glad I argued. Let's bend a switch that doesn't need bent because an air hose was loose. Anyone want a legitimate 63K mile car from Ft Myers Fl.

 

[Rallyus]

Glad that you solved it.