[Loweyboy]

2020 Model. We haven't been able to get the charger flap to open on the car for nearly 3 months. My wife took it in to get the technicians to look at it and they are waiting on parts. We are 3rd in line and they will let us know when the parts arrive is the best they can say. So frustrating.

 

[veeeight]

2020 Model. We haven't been able to get the charger flap to open on the car for nearly 3 months. My wife took it in to get the technicians to look at it and they are waiting on parts. We are 3rd in line and they will let us know when the parts arrive is the best they can say. So frustrating.

Have you pressed the Me button on the overhead panel? What did they say?

It’s not too late to do it now.

 

[Loweyboy]

Have you pressed the Me button on the overhead panel? What did they say?

It’s not too late to do it now.

Thanks, I did see that mentioned in another post but I'm not sure what they could do. It is 3 Months out of the warranty period if it was ever covered in the first place.
I had hoped some bright spark might have done a solution video on YT by now but couldn't find anything.

 

[veeeight]

If you have had a M-B dealer service in the last 12 months, you are covered for Mobilo breakdown assistance.

And for every successive dealer service, another 12 months cover etc.

They carry the solenoids on board the breakdown vans so can usually fix it on the spot.

 

[Loweyboy]

If you have had a M-B dealer service in the last 12 months, you are covered for Mobilo breakdown assistance.

And for every successive dealer service, another 12 months cover etc.

They carry the solenoids on board the breakdown vans so can usually fix it on the spot.

Thanks, yes the car has had a main dealer service this year but I thought I would give it a go myself as I can't be doing with waiting for the parts to eventually arrive. So using a few simple tools I got the flap cover off and then pried the inner flap open so at least we can charge the car now. Will know for sure later tonight on the cheap rate electricity. I should be able to take a few photos and post them up here next week, showing how I managed to get the flap open without breaking or scratching anything important.

 

[Loweyboy]

So part 350 is the bit that's stopped working. When I forced the panel door yesterday there are 2 little plastic bits that broke off,

these turn through 90º to lock the flap, but as it's the part I think requires changing anyway no harm done. This is the part but I don't have a part number for it so can't order one just yet. If I can find one I might cancel the visit to MB

 

[Loweyboy]

I phoned my local MB spares department and they have just received them back in stock so I explained what I needed and the guy pretty much knew exactly what I wanted. He couldn't give me the part numbers but would sell me the solenoid. It turned out to be a nice simple job to replace the solenoid, slide a thin screwdriver between the top clip and the housing to unclip the solenoid and it pulls out sideways to reveal the wiring with a moulded plug, unclip this, and refit the solenoid and it worked straight away slide the painted panel back on whole job completed for £32.04 inc VAT

 

[veeeight]

Thanks for updating this thread with your repair

 

[Tim Stevens]

I phoned my local MB spares department and they have just received them back in stock so I explained what I needed and the guy pretty much knew exactly what I wanted. He couldn't give me the part numbers but would sell me the solenoid. It turned out to be a nice simple job to replace the solenoid, slide a thin screwdriver between the top clip and the housing to unclip the solenoid and it pulls out sideways to reveal the wiring with a moulded plug, unclip this, and refit the solenoid and it worked straight away slide the painted panel back on whole job completed for £32.04 inc VAT

Thanks for this update Loweyboy , really useful. I'm in the same position and have been quoted an MB £180 diagnostic charge, just for them to tell me what the problem is! .. I've tried to get the part but it's not in stock anywhere, probably due to so many going wrong, if this thread is anything to go by. One question if you wouldnt mind. I've removed the outer painted panel and it's the inner one that's stuck, see image below. I'm assuming this is the one you forced to open it. If so can you remember how/where you forced it? .. Dont mind snapping the solenoid bit, as like you say, it will be replaced anyway. Just dont want to cause any more damage ... THANK YOU Tim

 

[Tim Stevens]

Thanks for this update Loweyboy , really useful. I'm in the same position and have been quoted an MB £180 diagnostic charge, just for them to tell me what the problem is! .. I've tried to get the part but it's not in stock anywhere, probably due to so many going wrong, if this thread is anything to go by. One question if you wouldnt mind. I've removed the outer painted panel and it's the inner one that's stuck, see image below. I'm assuming this is the one you forced to open it. If so can you remember how/where you forced it? .. Dont mind snapping the solenoid bit, as like you say, it will be replaced anyway. Just dont want to cause any more damage ... THANK YOU Tim

 

[Loweyboy]

Hi Tim
The hinge is on the right hand side, leave that side alone. You need to work on the left hand side hopefully you can see the line I have indicated. You need to insert a scraper or flat bladed tool of some description. I used a multi tool saw blade which was rigid and the teeth helped bite into the plastic on the right as you push the blade to the left. The blade was approximately 38mm wide but I only
pushed

 

[Loweyboy]

it a little way in so that when you put a little force on it, it is levering the door outward and not to the right if that makes sense.
Mask up the paintwork so the blade doesn't scratch your pride and joy if the blade slips. You don't have to push very hard, the door just suddenly flys open it's nerve racking but think logically and protect the paint hope it works for you.
Good luck

 

[Tim Stevens]

it a little way in so that when you put a little force on it, it is levering the door outward and not to the right if that makes sense.
Mask up the paintwork so the blade doesn't scratch your pride and joy if the blade slips. You don't have to push very hard, the door just suddenly flys open it's nerve racking but think logically and protect the paint hope it works for you.
Good luck

Thanks, sorted it!! .. just need to wait for the spare solenoid part now. I’ve taken a punt on one from eBay for £24 as can’t be sure how long MB will be. Can always pop the MB one in when it arrives. Just need to repair the outer panel now, this came off when trying to open the flap open with fingers. Useless plastic lugs are a major design flaw. Thinking some kind of heavy duty velcro would do the trick, just need the adhesive to be waterproof and hold to the plastic??

 

[Loweyboy]

Glad it worked for you. Sorry to hear you broke the lugs on the flap cover, did you manage to keep hold of the broken bits?. I watch a lot of YT videos and pick up tips and tricks from them. I think most of the expert vehicle repairers would be trying to repair the lugs using fibre glass or epoxy resin and maybe a dab or two of Tiger seal.
MB would obviously recommend a new one and get it resprayed but that could be a couple of hundred quid.

 

[Tim Stevens]

Glad it worked for you. Sorry to hear you broke the lugs on the flap cover, did you manage to keep hold of the broken bits?. I watch a lot of YT videos and pick up tips and tricks from them. I think most of the expert vehicle repairers would be trying to repair the lugs using fibre glass or epoxy resin and maybe a dab or two of Tiger seal.
MB would obviously recommend a new one and get it resprayed but that could be a couple of hundred quid.

Unfortunately not. It was on a shingle drive. I only managed to find one! Very poor build quality, the flimsiest of lugs.

 

[PilotJ]

Loweyboy, Thanks for your posts. I managed to get the cover off, although breaking the lugs I managed to find them all and glued them back on, and now fits again. Part ordered from Mercedes for £32.07+Vat and as you say, should be a straight swap. You’ve been a massive help!

 

[Tim Stevens]

Loweyboy, Thanks for your posts. I managed to get the cover off, although breaking the lugs I managed to find them all and glued them back on, and now fits again. Part ordered from Mercedes for £32.07+Vat and as you say, should be a straight swap. You’ve been a massive help!

Good luck. I’m sitting in the Mercedes garage as I write, I had to resort to getting it fixed by them in the end .. £188. I ordered the part as suggested in this chat and tried fitting it myself but it didn’t work. Might have been me but plugged in and as dead as a do do.

 

[PilotJ]

Good luck. I’m sitting in the Mercedes garage as I write, I had to resort to getting it fixed by them in the end .. £188. I ordered the part as suggested in this chat and tried fitting it myself but it didn’t work. Might have been me but plugged in and as dead as a do do.

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. I’ll write back over the weekend when I’ve had the chance to fit it.
Im hoping it will be okay as there is still power to the the actuator and it seems it’s just faulty.

I hope you manage to get yours sorted for no further cost.

 

[Tim Stevens]

Thanks yes .. now fixed. Good luck! .. all a bit of a pain isn’t it. Clearly a fault with these actuators.

 

[PilotJ]

Hello, actuator replaced. Works well. Total cost £32. It’s a shame it didn’t work for you Tim, but it’s definitely a job worth considering yourself.