Mercedes Benz is regarded as one of the most luxurious and reliable vehicles, which is why they are among the most expensive vehicles and can cost you at least a tidy sum if you choose to own one. That’s why it’s important to keep it in good shape, because if something goes wrong with it, you’ll have to spend a lot of money to get it fixed.
However, no matter how much time you put into maintaining it, well-built cars like Mercedes are susceptible to common issues, one of which is vacuum door lock failure.
What’s vacuum door lock technology?
Mercedes was the first to introduce the vacuum door lock feature. It’s a vacuum-based system that lets you lock all of the car’s doors at once. This technology also serves as an anti-theft device, prohibiting unauthorised access to your vehicle.
Furthermore, when the door lock is in use or operational, all of the car’s other locks are pressurised at the same time and remain that way until the master lock is released.
In the case of a mechanical failure, the vacuum pressure that keeps the doors locked releases, allowing anyone to enter your vehicle. As a result, if such an incident occurs, you must have it repaired as soon as possible to avoid theft.
Fixing a Failed Vacuum Door Lock
A conventional solution for a failed vacuum door lock repair is to call a mechanic, but you may alternatively want to handle it on your own without any issues. All you need to do is open the hood of your car and disconnect the three key lines that are responsible for connecting the vacuum.
Try blowing and sucking the air out of the key lines one at a time to see if they’re in good shape. If you can do it, it signifies your car’s line is shot and needs to be fixed right away. The lines must then be vacuumed and replaced by hand. If this sounds too much, please bring your Mercedes to our specialists.
Symptoms of a Failing Vacuum Door Lock
A vacuum door lock’s failure isn’t something that happens out of nowhere. You’ll notice specific signs that indicate a problem with the locks. The main indication is that the door locks will begin to malfunction one by one. If you notice any of these signs, you can be confident your vacuum door lock has begun to fail.
Other important indicators to watch for include irregularly locking doors, difficulty unlocking doors, and strange squeaky noises emanating from inside the door. If you witness any of such signs don’t delay in setting an appointment with your mechanic.
Reasons For Vacuum Door Lock Failure In Mercedes
Some of the most common reasons for vacuum lock door failure are:
- Leaking Actuator: The actuator is the component of your vehicle that operates the door locks. A separate actuator is required for each door. You’ll have problems locking and unlocking your door if there’s a leak. It can be easily repaired. However replacing it is a better alternative and is not too expensive.
- Vacuum Pump Failure: A vacuum pump’s primary function is to create a vacuum that causes the lock mechanisms to move. If your Mercedes vacuum pump fails, locking and unlocking the door will be difficult.
- Poor Wiring: The vacuum pump is located at the base of the passenger seat, which you can move forward and backwards to ensure a comfortable posture. The vacuum pump’s wiring may become disconnected as a result of the seat’s continual movement. Besides, the wires can also wear out due to moisture and get loose and unattached from the vacuum pump.
Encore Motorcars is Always Ready to Service Your Mercedes Benz
Every Mercedes-Benz owner wants easy accessibility 
to an auto repair shop that is familiar with all types of problems that a vehicle owner may encounter. Encore Motorcars has that covered for you, because we have all of the necessary experience, tools, and expertise with European models to properly diagnose the problem in your vehicle.
We are located in Sarasota, Florida and serve Bradenton, Ellenton, Nokomis, Osprey, Parrish, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, University Park. Please give us a call or stop by our shop and let us treat your Mercedes to our expert repairs and service.