Golf Automatic Hatch Opening Updated

[Maverick]

I thought there was already a thread on this but I can't find it and I've updated my automatic hatch opening guide as the old spring based system wasn't very reliable whereas the new one works pretty much every time.

Volkswagen Golf Automatic Hatch Opening Updated

[Jaap74]

Has anyone done this mod ? If so are there kits available in Oz ? I see they are available on the ECS Tuning website in the US, not sure of their shipping policy though.

Apparently the hatch won't pop properly in cold weather ? Anyone know how cold that would be ?

Cheers

EDIT : ECS do ship to Oz

Sub Total: $109.95
Shipping: $50.01
Total: $159.96

[triode12]

Yes, I have done this on my GTI. It works but it uses much stronger and stiffer gas struts which makes it harder to close the hatch after the upgrade.

You can purchase the individuals parts from your dealer spare parts dept but it is cheaper and easier to just buy the kit from ECS.

[Jaap74]

Good to hear Triode. Can you still close easily with one hand ? And have they ever not opened due to the cold ?

It requires VAGCOM coding doesn't it ?

[Corey_R]

Hey triode, it's been a while since I looked at this, but when it first became available in kit form from ECS, after several months owners started to realise that the new struts were scratching the paint in the hatch, which would then lead the to paint chipping and flaking. Has their been a "new version" of the kit which prevents this from happening?

[triode12]

Good to hear Triode. Can you still close easily with one hand ? And have they ever not opened due to the cold ?

It requires VAGCOM coding doesn't it ?

It depends on how strong you are. It is a bit difficult for me with my spindly arms.

It does not work sometimes - cold or hot weather.
Yes, requires VAGCOM coding which I haven't done yet - which could explain the above (thanks to this thread - I've found the coding on Mav's site). Going to code it and will update this thread tonite.

[triode12]

Hey triode, it's been a while since I looked at this, but when it first became available in kit form from ECS, after several months owners started to realise that the new struts were scratching the paint in the hatch, which would then lead the to paint chipping and flaking. Has their been a "new version" of the kit which prevents this from happening?

I haven't heard of that happening and it hasn't happened to me. I didn't even know there were two versions!

[Corey_R]

well, I don't know that there is two versions... I just hope there is due to the paint issues! Anyway - let us know how you are going in 6 months!

[Jaap74]

Going to code it and will update this thread tonite.

Great, keen to hear if it opens for you in the cold tomorrow morning

[triode12]

Update:

Didn't have to code the car as it was already set correctly.

The problem was due to the bump stops not pushing the hatch off the chassis. I had to release them from the locked position. It works well now.

@Corey, I don't know where the struts could be causing paint loss as they do not come in contact with any part of the car except at the 2 pivot points.

[Corey_R]

Yeah... it was at the pivot points. The original kit required a reversal of the brackets to which the struts connected to, so that the struts are at the correct angle to lift the hatch. This meant that the struts came just that much closer to the bodywork that given some time, with the added pressure that this mod creates, was enough for the struts to start scratching away at the paint.

[Jaap74]

Triode : can you try it in the morning when its cold and report back please ?

Thanks

[Maverick]

Hey triode, it's been a while since I looked at this, but when it first became available in kit form from ECS, after several months owners started to realise that the new struts were scratching the paint in the hatch, which would then lead the to paint chipping and flaking. Has their been a "new version" of the kit which prevents this from happening?

The new struts are narrower then the old ones and apart from the new ball pin and the slighter shorter length there is no difference in the fitment and I can't see how they would rub/scratch. I've had mine installed since November and haven't had any problems at all.

[Maverick]

Triode : can you try it in the morning when its cold and report back please ?

Thanks

Unless you get snow on your car you don't have to worry about it, the hatch pops 99% of the time and an adjustment of the Scirocco bumpers is enough to make it 100%.

[triode12]

Ditto what Mav said. I don't see how the struts can come into contact with any part of the hatch or chassis.