Altea tailgate release problems

[alteadriver]

Evening,

We have a 2004 Altea with a tailgate that refuses to open, have to go through the back seats now and fart about with the fiddly manual release now.

I have already had to put a folded flap of duck tape over the worn micro switch, that works perfectly.

Now, after temporarily giving up while we were on holiday in August the release will not work at all.
I have replaced the solenoid/latch assembly and checked the micro switch - I can hear that clicking when I lift the tailgate handle. The release worked for a few days after replacing the latch but I think that was just luck!

So I took the car to a local auto electrician who says the car needs a new convenience unit, about £300 + VAT, plus fitting!

The VAG COM printout they gave me has this on it:
00950 - Central Locking Motor - Tailgate (V53); UNLOCK
0007 - Short to Ground

The wires going to the plug connected to the solenoid are damaged, (after having a wheelchair in the boot that only just fitted) the electrician seems to think that may have caused a short circuit.

Do you guys have any ideas what else could be causing the problem? I'd rather not have to replace the convenience unit, if it is unavoidable I think I'll try Sere Motors for a better price.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[TllEWL]

From what you've described, I'm surprised they've gone the new convenience unit route, and not tried replacing the wire....

That would be the first thing I'd try (or get the/an auto electrician to try) and see if it fixes it.


I have an almost constant battle with the Toledo boot, it pops the first latch but not enough to open the boot, so I have to keep trying the handle till it opens ....sometimes end up trying to slam it shut completely to try again

 

[alteadriver]

To be fair to the electricians, I did spring this on them at short notice - we were due to go away for the weekend that day. We ended up squeezing us and the two kids in my ibiza... that has a nice mechanical tailgate release! No electronics to go wrong!
The release was working with the damage to the wires, wasn't sliced right through.
If the convenience unit was playing up I would have thought we'd be having issues with the other locks etc...
Anyway, I'm going to try ordering a replacement wiring harness from a dealer and hope it isnt expensive or a pain to fit - this harness has the tube for the rear wash wipe integrated and disappears up behind the trim on the side of the tailgate.
Once the wiring is replaced that leaves the micro switch and the convenience unit really and I'm fairly confident the switch is working.

Sounds like your boot release is a pain too, at least you get in eventually though!

 

[KLTDI20S]

I have this same problem with my Altea boot where I have to pull the release really fast for it to open, otherwise it just looks like I'm trying to rob the car ..

 

[lumor]

Had ours replaced when we bought it, I thought it was just the handle and switch they replaced.