Are there any MB cars that use have electric power doors/trunk/gas flap etc...?

[ericnguyen]

Dear friends:

Are there any MB cars that have power doors/trunk/gas flap etc... that use electric switches instead of vacuum actuators? Every MB car (which is older than 1990) that I have run across ALWAYS have problems with power doors/trunk/gas flap, and I must say that this is too much annoying and frustrating for me. The Japanese cars use the electric switches and they have never failed, at least for all the old Japanese cars that my friends and I have ever owned.

Also, when the vacuum stuff works, why on earth MB engineers wanted to design a gas flap that is unlocked whenever the driver door is unlocked. If the vacuum system fails or the flap actuator fails, the gas flap is always unlocked and exposed to malfeasance by good-for-nothing people.

Oh well, if someone asks me what is the thing that I hate most about MB cars, I would say it's the failure-prone (I would say "pathetic") vacuum power doors/trunk/gas flap etc...

Just my 2 cents.

Best regards,

Eric

[Jassper]

I think it is a part of Merc heritage to use vacuum rather than electric. Also it makes one feel more 'posh' to watch the locks go down slowly with a decent sound rather than that sharp electric CLICK.

I must say though that there are electric actuators that also lock slowly without those yukky clicking sounds.

"The Japanese cars use the electric switches and they have never failed, at least for all the old Japanese cars that my friends and I have ever owned."

It happens that the electric motor inside the actuator burns out. Not causing fire, of course, but the wiring inside burns thru which makes the motor and thus the whole actuator unusable. Could be because of exposure to water inside the doors. Happens to window motors too every now and then.

"Also, when the vacuum stuff works, why on earth MB engineers wanted to design a gas flap that is unlocked whenever the driver door is unlocked. If the vacuum system fails or the flap actuator fails, the gas flap is always unlocked and exposed to malfeasance by good-for-nothing people."

The gas flap is spring operated. There is a spring on the rod that keeps the flap locked at all times. When you unlock the vacuum actuator pushes against the spring. Should there be no vacuum, due to leak for example, the spring keeps the flap locked. Then you have special access from the boot to pull the rod to unlock the flap should you need to refuel.

"Oh well, if someone asks me what is the thing that I hate most about MB cars, I would say it's the failure-prone (I would say "pathetic") vacuum power doors/trunk/gas flap etc..."

Yes, they get pathetic after years of use and are a real pain to track but once you renew them they work again.

Remember, Mercedes is just another car. Although more costly, the accessories will not outlast their projected age by a lot. You have a good car for those few years, after those few years care has to be taken of various parts, just like with another car. No manufacturer claims their car will be perfect after years of use without proper maintenance taken. Though, they would love us to believe that.

[speedy300Dturbo]

I rarely hear of vacuum lock failure with the W124 cars. They use essentially the same system as the W126 and W201 cars - the vacuum / pressure is provided by an electric pump which rarely fails. Also, only one vacuum line needs to run from each actuator to the pump.

However, W123 and previous models used a vacuum reservoir and required that there be two lines run to each actuator, doubling the potential for leaks.

The current C-Class and new E-Class no longer have vacuum operated door locks. They are electric just like every American and Japanese car out there. As a matter of fact, the vacuum locks are one of these little things that I LOVE about MB's. It's something different and I just find it cool. The vacuum locks on both my W124's operates flawlessly. I admit that the use of the electric vacuum pump is superior to the older design with the reservoir though.

I consider the vacuum lock system to be far superior to electric locks. In almost a million miles of MB's with vacuum locks I have had two vacuum diaphragm failures that cost less than $10 each to repair and probably less than one hour labor.

The system is simple, economical, and trouble free.

To answer the question the 203 MB's have taken the step backwards to electric locks. I dread the day when I have to repair them.

Have a great day,

[stevelewis]

when I close my door on my 300sd, it sounds like a bank vault door closing, as for the vac locks, it sounds like safety, I love it.

[jfikentscher]

I rarely hear of vacuum lock failure with the W124 cars. They use essentially the same system as the W126 and W201 cars - the vacuum / pressure is provided by an electric pump which rarely fails. Also, only one vacuum line needs to run from each actuator to the pump.


My 124 locks were not working when I purchased the car. Ok, so it took me 2 years to check it out. Looked under the rear seat to check the vacuum pump, and it was not there! I assime the PO removed it to make the locks work manually and never replaced it. I will be sending a check to a forum member shortly to purchase a pump. I will post results.

Joe

Originally posted by Jassper
The gas flap is spring operated. There is a spring on the rod that keeps the flap locked at all times. When you unlock the vacuum actuator pushes against the spring. Should there be no vacuum, due to leak for example, the spring keeps the flap locked. Then you have special access from the boot to pull the rod to unlock the flap should you need to refuel.

In my TD, anytime here is no vacuum in the lock system (Usually 30 minutes) the tank flap is unlocked. Is this spring feature not on the 82' TD or is mine damaged? When there is vacuum, everything works as it should. My Mity-Vac can hold 5hg for about .5-1 minute before no vacuum is present.

Has anyone found a kit to adapt the driver's door with a remote open electric switch/motor/actuator? This would make it much faster and less hassle to get in the car (As everyone should agree).

82-300td,

If your drivers door lock takes so much time to unlock that you consider it a delay, there is probably a leak in the system. Go to the firewall and apply vacuum to the lock feed line. It should pull a vac quick and hold it. If it doesn't, work through the system until you find a loose connection or a leaky diaphragm.

Good luck,

I don't mean like a vacuum delay, although with engine on it takes 10 seconds for the other doors to lock, I mean like to get your key out, unlock/lock and then get the starter key. I want to press a remote buttton and unlock the driver door from across the lot.