Merc. tailgate problem

[cjb44]

Merc. 2013 c200 estate. The rear door when operated from any of the switches (key fob, switch in drivers door) only opens halfway of the full travel, you can raise fully by hand but there is some juddering and it moves very stiffly. When fully open the hinges/telescopic arms etc. are all free moving and are well lubricated. The door closes fully and locks withe switch provided on the underside of the tailgate without any juddering or hesitation.
Anyone had this problem, is it the motor or is there something I have missed.

Thanks.

[Marcellus]

Not with our merc but on the BMW and it was the hydraulic ram was faulty,

[cjb44]

Marcellus said:

Not with our merc but on the BMW and it was the hydraulic ram was faulty,

When you say hydraulic ram are BMW's different from Mercs. is that the main operating motor that you were referring to or some other system peculiar to a BMW. If not it sounds expensive. Having removed the trim it looks like a possible DIY job even for a non-technical person.

[Stegel]

Please don’t take offence if I’m stating the obvious but has it been set to open only to a set level - my car’s boot was only opening halfway when I picked it up but resetting it saw it open fully.

[Marcellus]

cjb44 said:

Marcellus said:

Not with our merc but on the BMW and it was the hydraulic ram was faulty,

When you say hydraulic ram are BMW's different from Mercs. is that the main operating motor that you were referring to or some other system peculiar to a BMW. If not it sounds expensive. Having removed the trim it looks like a possible DIY job even for a non-technical person.

I think they are sort of the same, basically I think both work by a piston pushing/pulling the boot, different pistons different positions but same sort of thing.

[cjb44]

Stegel said:

Please don’t take offence if I’m stating the obvious but has it been set to open only to a set level - my car’s boot was only opening halfway when I picked it up but resetting it saw it open fully.

No offence taken I am no expert on this modern trickery. All I can say is that it has worked perfectly for three years until today. However, in my ignorance, I cannot see the point of it not fully opening, at the moment it opens slightly less than halfway; and was not aware that they could be reset. Can you advise me how I can reset it.
Many thanks.

[Stegel]

It is useful if you regularly open the boot in an area with restricted headroom. The procedure will be in the manual, but from memory you press the “close” button until you hear two beeps which clears the memory setting.

[cjb44]

Stegel said:

It is useful if you regularly open the boot in an area with restricted headroom. The procedure will be in the manual, but from memory you press the “close” button until you hear two beeps which clears the memory setting.

Thank you, you are spot on, the procedure you described worked first time and all is now well; if only I had a manual with the car. The only explanation/excuse I can give is that I inadvertently fumbled the key when I was desperately trying to get out of the torrential on Friday and upset the setting.
You may have gathered by now that I am of an era when cars had "keep fit" windows, handles and locks that required a key which had to be turned in the appropriate direction. I have now been dragged publically kicking and screaming into the 21st.century and am embarrassed at my ignorance of modern technology, but as they say "every day is a school day". All these gizmo's are fine when they work, but I do worry that they are just another thing to go wrong, and the cure is very often expensive.
Once again, I really appreciate your patience and help with my predicament.

[Stegel]

Happy to help! I too am from an era of keep fit windows and keys that you turn.