Boot Release using button on the key

[99eunsd]

I don't think this has been asked before about a mk3, but I want some info if anyone has it.

I have a mk3 Leon and when I press and hold the boot release button on the key, the boot lock pops the boot open.
This doesn't seem to work properly though as I can hear the lock releasing, but shouldn't the boot lid actually open up? Do I have to make some kind of modification to my car for it to work?
The gas struts are hopeless anyway, they merely hold the bootlid where I put it rather than making it spring open. Do you think my local stealership would replace them under warranty?

Any and all advice appreciated!

 

[marks_leon]

You have to be really quick, its a stupid design. If you hold the button it opens and then re catches within a few seconds so to me its pointless, it was the same on the MK2.

 

[99eunsd]

You have to be really quick, its a stupid design. If you hold the button it opens and then re catches within a few seconds so to me its pointless, it was the same on the MK2.

Hmm, so I'd need to do some kind of mod so the boot lid actually 'opened', as in enough to sling stuff in the boot without using the handle.
Seems a stupid feature given that I could just press unlock on the key and I'd have to use the handle to open it anyway.

 

[brentnall]

It does indeed appear to be designed this way, mine just sits there too like you described, therefore I don't think a replacement under warranty would make any difference.

I would however be intrigued to know if some powerful 3rd party replacement struts could make the boot open on its own. Not sure how difficult it would be to close it again afterwards though...

 

[marks_leon]

My thought exactly.

 

[CharlySkunkweed]

Its a mod that has been done on Mk 2's , struts of a different car and turn brackets round. Problem being it takes a bit of effort to close and can also be tempremental. Have a search on here , but not sure if it's been done on mk3 yet. No idea what the point of "popping" the bootlid handle without it actually opening up. All it does it save you pulling the handle !

 

[99eunsd]

Seems some kind of mod is required.
If anyone figures out what parts are required and how to, then it would be great if they could share. I want to make that modification, but don't know where to start really.
That and fitting a gas strut to the bonnet. Not necessary, but convenient all the same.

 

[jmh0804]

I think the point has been missed here.

The button on the key is to unlock the boot not a physical release. Its a comfort opening setting. same as most vag, single press for drivers door - double press for all doors.

If you wanted a fully automated boot. Shouldnt you have bought an audi A8, or even my touareg has boot open/close too.

 

[99eunsd]

I think the point has been missed here.

The button on the key is to unlock the boot not a physical release. Its a comfort opening setting. same as most vag, single press for drivers door - double press for all doors.

If you wanted a fully automated boot. Shouldnt you have bought an audi A8, or even my touareg has boot open/close too.

Just seems odd then that a single press unlocks the boot, but if you hold the button, it releases the boot.

Either way, I'll look online and see what others have done with mk2s and Golfs to get the same feature working.

 

[Speed-FReek]

The actual boot popping open is a standard feature on some of the other VAG cars. Because a lot of the VAG cars share the same Central Electronics unit and boot catch electrics they probably just decided to leave the option enabled on the SEATs even though it wasn't as useful.

It's been mentioned on here that the struts from a Skoda Fabia or Octavia are apparently strong enough to do the job on a Mk2. Not sure if the same would be suitable for the Mk3. It would depend on the weight difference of the tailgates. The real way to find out is for someone to try them. Bear in mind though that doing this does make it quite a bit more difficult to close the boot because of the extra force needed to do so. Some members have complained that closing the boot after doing the mod can be a real hassle. Also, be careful is you decide to do this mod and you put the car in a garage because one member in particular accidentally popped the boot in their garage damaged the tailgate when it hit the garage roof.

Someone appears to have managed to do it on the Mk2 by just changing the stops to some Scirocco ones without actually changing the struts...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZBAYk6Af3g​

 

[noonoo63]

This has been discussed also on the vwaudi forum and you are right it is the struts from a Skoda that are used. Just put in boot lid auto opening on vw golf on youtube and there are loads of links.

 

[jcbmally]

I thought the whole idea of the remote boot unlocking was to be able to access the boot without unlocking all of the car, then when you close the boot the car is fully locked and re-alarmed automatically.

 

[Speed-FReek]

I thought the whole idea of the remote boot unlocking was to be able to access the boot without unlocking all of the car, then when you close the boot the car is fully locked and re-alarmed automatically.

It does exactly that, however if you press and hold the boot unlock button, as well as temporarily disarming the alarm and unlocking the boot, it also pops the boot catch open. On some other VAG models, the struts are strong enough to lift open the tailgate open without any manual assistance once the boot catch is popped open so the tailgate can be automatically opened if required by simply holding down the boot unlock remote button. But not so on the Leon unless you do some mods to fit stronger tailgate struts and/or different tailgate stoppers.

 

[jcbmally]

fit stronger tailgate struts and/or different tailgate stoppers.

Any ideas where to get them, or is it dealer time again and pay over the odds.

 

[Speed-FReek]

Any ideas where to get them, or is it dealer time again and pay over the odds.

If you're not fussed about used parts you could try some of the breakers or alternatively take a look at some of the aftermarket struts suppliers if you're not bothered about having non-OEM parts on your car.

 

[AlexV]

I thought the whole idea of the remote boot unlocking was to be able to access the boot without unlocking all of the car, then when you close the boot the car is fully locked and re-alarmed automatically.

I hate this system since I closed the boot with the keys inside...

 

[jcbmally]

I hate this system since I closed the boot with the keys inside...

I feel your pain I believe it can be deactivated by VCDS

 

[Seanm]

This can be done by putting in octavia boot struts. I have the seat leon mk3 forum on facebook from france and they all do it over there.

 

[BigfatPaulie]

The struts are irrelevant... the fob button only disables the LOCK... you still need to physically operate the CATCH !!! ie pull the handle to open the hatch.

You would also need to mod the electrics.

 

[Speed-FReek]

The struts are irrelevant... the fob button only disables the LOCK... you still need to physically operate the CATCH !!! ie pull the handle to open the hatch.

You would also need to mod the electrics.

If you can hear an audiable "pop" of the catch when you press and HOLD the boot button on the remote then the boot catch has physically been released and if you have strong enough struts fitted they will then take over and actually lift the tailgate up without any manual intervention. This is certainly what happens on the Mk2 when the strut mod has been done and from Seanm's previous post is suggesting that a lot of the French Mk3 owners have already done the strut mod so it must work the same way on the Mk3's.