Tailgate does not latch by tailgate button

Hello,

There are 4 fuses that run the system we need to check for power. here is a guide to help you test with the tailgate wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works and which fuses to test. Also I have included the fuse location as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Thanks for the information. In fact, this car was slightly hit on the rear by another car. Since then the tailgate could not be locked by the lit button. Base on that, do you think the trouble is in the button itself? If so, what should I do?

That is hard to say. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

Here are the pictures of the tailgate. There is no cosmetic damage, except that a piece of small plastic block was broken.

Thanks for the pictures, that is not enough to damage anything so I think we can rule that out. Lets check the fuses and get back to me please.

Thanks Ken. I will try to do it this weekend.

Sounds good.

Hi, Ken: we finally replaced the stop button and the tailgate is in perfect working condition. Thank you very much.

Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

If I press the tailgate button, use my keyless remote, or manually try to close the back tailgate, it does close but will not latch.

Hello,

It sounds like the lift gate (rear door) angle sensor is out or not adjuster correctly. What happens is this sensor tells the rear door control module the door is ready to be latched which is not happening. Here is the wiring diagrams for the power door locks and rear door operation so we can see how the system works.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken

Thanks for the post. My sensor was broken had to replace it all fixed! I love this site.

I just fixed mine. Just by push the Red Button for 5 second and hear the BEEP and everything back to normal. No need to buy new actuator!

Excellent addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)

My 2007 ML350 is doing the same thing. I can hear the motor trying to engage the latch, but the latch never hooks. Which “red” button are you talking about Andy? If I press the one on my trunk it starts to close my trunk door so not sure how to hold it for 5 secs.

Went to open the lift gate on my 2003 Mercedes ML350 and it would not open. When I hit the remote I can hear the actuator movement behind the rear latch and I cannot manually open the lift gate from the inside. So I doubt it is the SAM unit, but more likely a broken latch? How do I get the lift gate open and what would I be looking for?

You need to remove the interior door panel and check the linkage to the latch itself. Based on your description, it sounds like something has become disconnected. Most likely the linkage between the latch and the actuator.

You were right. The linkage came unhooked. I found pieces of black plastic laying in the tailgate which I believe may have once been the clip that held the linkage together. I zipped tied the rod loosely to the frame so to assure that the linkage will not come unhooked again, but yet not to tight enough to bind any of the mechanisms. At least that is my goal. :-)

All is working well. Thanks for getting back to quickly.

Not sure which red button he is talking about. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

I am glad you got it fixed. Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe