'93 245 tailgate power lock failure.

Hi,

The power locking system works perfectly when the tailgate is *up*, locking
and unlocking. (Checked with the inner panel removed.) .
When the tailgate is *down*, the sliding rod which accomplishes the locking
and unlocking doesn't move, or doesn't move enough. It appears to stick,
despite being well lubed along with all other parts that need it.

Mystified.
Andy I.

 

Replace the wiring harnesses that run through the tailgate hinges. It's a
very common problem on 245s, and over time all the powered devices in the
tailgate will fail.

 

if it doesn't move at all, and you don't hear the solenoid trying to move
it, you probably have an intermittant wire in the harness that runs thru the
hinge. When the tailgate is up, the wires connect, but when you close the
tailgate, the wires are pulled apart enough that they don't connect, so no
power gets to the solenoid. I have a similar intermittant problem with my
center brake light, which works most of the time with the tailgate closed,
but usually does not light when I open the tailgate ('89 240 wagon)... so
far, I've been able to postpone the inevitable replacement of the
harness....

 

Thanks James and Perry. I sat on the floor in the back and closed the
hatch, then had my good wife operate the power locks. I couldn't hear or
feel any movement of the solenoid mechanism. I guess I'll have to bow to
the inevitable ............... sometime. Yet, how soon these conveniences
become necessities!

I've had the harness replaced twice since the car was new.... five years
apart. Da**it!! It isn't due.......
Andy I.





: if it doesn't move at all, and you don't hear the solenoid trying to move
: it, you probably have an intermittant wire in the harness that runs thru
the
: hinge. When the tailgate is up, the wires connect, but when you close the
: tailgate, the wires are pulled apart enough that they don't connect, so no
: power gets to the solenoid. I have a similar intermittant problem with my
: center brake light, which works most of the time with the tailgate closed,
: but usually does not light when I open the tailgate ('89 240 wagon)... so
: far, I've been able to postpone the inevitable replacement of the
: harness....
:
:

 

This time when they replace the harnesses, tell them to place a small nut
(#6 fits just fine)under the wires at the seam between the tailgate and the
body before they replace the hinge on the body. Tape it to the body. This
puts a bit of extra wire at the most flex point so the closed gate does not
pull and stretch the wires.

The last harness I did this to is still functional after eight years.

Or after you get the car back, remove the corners of the headliner at the
back rear, close the tailgate, go inside through a side door and release the
bolts that hold the hinge in place. Go outside through the side door, lift
the hinge and place the nut under the wire, then reset the inge to the body.
Go inside through the side door and replace the hinge bolts. Open tailgate
and replace headliner.

Sorry to be specific about entering and exiting through the side door.
Someone who tried this trick actually opened the gate with the hinges
off.....

Duane

 

Thanks Duane.

Sounds like good advice........... especially the bit about entering through
the side door!

Andy I.


: This time when they replace the harnesses, tell them to place a small nut
: (#6 fits just fine)under the wires at the seam between the tailgate and
the
: body before they replace the hinge on the body. Tape it to the body.
This
: puts a bit of extra wire at the most flex point so the closed gate does
not
: pull and stretch the wires.
:
: The last harness I did this to is still functional after eight years.
:
: Or after you get the car back, remove the corners of the headliner at the
: back rear, close the tailgate, go inside through a side door and release
the
: bolts that hold the hinge in place. Go outside through the side door, lift
: the hinge and place the nut under the wire, then reset the inge to the
body.
: Go inside through the side door and replace the hinge bolts. Open
tailgate
: and replace headliner.
:
: Sorry to be specific about entering and exiting through the side door.
: Someone who tried this trick actually opened the gate with the hinges
: off.....
:
: Duane
:
:
:

 

Well you could check the wires for continuity, it's possible something else
is at fault.

Those hinge wires are a really stupid design, it's one of those few times
where I have to think what the heck was Sven smoking when he decided to do
it like that? The next time the wires break on my mom's 245 I think I'll try
using silicone insulated test lead wire and see how that holds up.

 

Thanks James. Tougher wire should help.
Re continuity, the solenoid works when the tailgate is up, so there must be
continuity there, but not when the tailgate is down.

Andy I.


:
:
: Well you could check the wires for continuity, it's possible something
else
: is at fault.
:
: Those hinge wires are a really stupid design, it's one of those few times
: where I have to think what the heck was Sven smoking when he decided to do
: it like that? The next time the wires break on my mom's 245 I think I'll
try
: using silicone insulated test lead wire and see how that holds up.
:
:

 

Oh, duh, forgot that part, yeah replace the wires and you should be in
business.