The classic charm of driving an old Mercedes model is something that vehicle enthusiasts will never forget. Especially, the Mercedes produced between the late 1970s and the 1990s are still a rage with many millennials. However, the excitement of driving these Mercedes models can be short-lived if you start experiencing vacuum door lock failure.
Mercedes models produced during this time period are especially prone to vacuum door lock issues, which makes it a challenge to drive these luxury cars. In this article, we will discuss the problem of vacuum door lock failure in your Mercedes in detail.
Reasons Behind Vacuum Door Lock Failure
Vacuum Line Leaks
Often, the leading reason behind vacuum door lock failure in Mercedes is related to the presence of leaks in the vacuum lines. The vacuum lines are made up of rubber & plastic connectors, and over the years, they can develop cracks leading to vacuum leaks, which affect the functioning of the doors in your Mercedes.
Now, due to the leaking vacuum line, you will find that some of your doors are inoperative; however, in rare instances, Mercedes owners have complained that all the doors malfunction simultaneously. During the initial stages of the problem, you will witness that the door will function intermittently.
Nevertheless, as the problem progresses without rectification, you will begin to hear unusual noises in the form of hissing sounds, and the door will become completely inoperative. The moment you notice any of these symptoms in your Mercedes, contact us at our auto repair shop to have your vacuum doors inspected for leaks.
Malfunctioning Vacuum Pump
For the efficient functioning of the doors, Mercedes comes equipped with a vacuum pump that is either electrically or mechanically operated. Now, if the vacuum pump malfunctions, you will face issues with the opening and closing of your vacuum doors.
The majority of the time, the vacuum pump fails due to internal leaks, faulty motors, and worn brushes. Due to the failure of the vacuum pump, you will find that your locks will fail to respond completely, and there won’t be any noise coming from the pump when you attempt to lock or unlock your doors.
At times, Mercedes drivers even complain about the complete failure of the central locking system in their cars. Often, it is observed that the electric motor responsible for operating the pump burns out due to continuous operation, and replacing the motor makes the vacuum pump operational again.
Additionally, many professionals recommend testing the pump for power generation using a multimeter. In many cases, the complete replacement of the vacuum pump assembly is also carried out to make the vacuum pump operational in Mercedes.
Failing Vacuum Reservoir
The vacuum reservoir is responsible for storing vacuum pressure, allowing you to lock and unlock the doors even when the engine is off. Over the years, as your luxury car accumulates miles, the vacuum reservoir begins to loosen and often develops cracks, leading to issues with the operation of your Mercedes’ doors.
Due to the failing vacuum reservoir, you will observe a peculiar situation where the locks work perfectly fine when the engine is operating, but the moment the engine is turned off, you will fail to lock or unlock your doors. That is, the operation of the vacuum doors will completely depend on the engine running of your car.
Bad Door Lock Switch
Another factor that might lead to the failure of the vacuum doors in your Mercedes is the door lock switch, which controls the opening and closing of the vacuum doors. The majority of the time, due to internal faults, the vacuum door lock switches malfunction, and this leaves you with inoperative doors.
Dealing with bad door lock switches is considered easy in comparison to the other problems you might encounter with the functioning of the vacuum door lock in your Mercedes. The efficiency of the switches can be tested using a multimeter, and replacing the failing switch module will make your doors functional again.
Leading Mercedes Repair Shop in Atlanta, GA
There is no doubt that dealing with vacuum door lock issues in your Mercedes can be frustrating. We at Solo Motorsports, located in Atlanta, GA, is the most sought-after auto repair facility for Mercedes owners of the city and its surrounding areas.
At Solo Motorsports, our state-of-the-art auto repair garage is equipped with the latest tools and equipment to help us provide the best service, maintenance, and repairs for your Mercedes. Call or contact us today to make an appointment, and our team of certified mechanics will help fix your car.