Electric hatch (wagon)
 

Does anyone know if a 1983 300TD wagon had the electric pull down rear hatch? I ask because I did some work in side the tail gate on sunday and noticed the latch had a wire connected to it as though it were an electric latch. I looked in the owners manual and the fuse box and could find nothing in reference to it.

Hello Term,

I am sorry : I only have some experience on the W124 TD.
On and in my rear hatch lock are 4 (!) switches : one for the central locking system (do you have that on your W 123, that would be the answer to your question), two for the "closing assistant ( one engages when opening, the other when closing),
and as I found out recently, a 4th one to command the comfort relay who authorices the closing of the sun/moon roof with the key from any of the doors that can be locked with the key.
Anyway, I'll hope you will find out. By own experience I know how difficult it is to find out about details of the functioning of some systems on board of our complicated Benzes. The W 124 is one of them...
Keep us informed,

Danny

Thanks Danny, I only see one plug connected to the inside of the latch, so I'm not sure what that plug is for.

hatch
 

I had a 85TDT, and actually replaced the latch because somehow the interior release got broken. It was a job to get it into position, there is no pulldown on it, believe me. The only switch is a microswitch that starts the closing pump to lock or unlock all the doors.

Thanks guys, I am starting to believe the plug maybe for the rear dome light. I guess when the hatch is closed it must trigger a switch...maybe??

Hey Term,

I forgot about something. The switch that commands the central locking on a
W 124 is double. There is one plug with 3 wires : a mass, one to the electric
vacuum pump and the third to trigger the front or rear dome lights.
So how many wires comes out your switch ?
As there are a lot of W 123 T on this forum I am shure someone will know the answer to your question.

Danny

Hello Danny,
My plug on the latch has two wires coming from it. But I'm not sure that my 123 wagon has the electric pump like a 124 or a 126 car. Plus the only lock that unlocks all the doors is the drivers door. I don't think they made central unlocking from all the locks until 1985 or 86 (in the US).

You are right about the electric vacuum pump : the W 123 doesn't have one
nor the closing assistent as I believe.
So I think you can safely assume that switch commands the rear dome light.
Good luck!

Danny

Danny,

Thanks for your imput.