Tailgate Open on dash but physically closed.

[MK4Mishy]

Hey Everyone. We have a 2010 r36 wagon and for the past week we keep getting a open tailgate picture on the instrument cluster. The tailgate is closed and won't go away no matter how many times we open and close the boot.
Does anyone know if the tailgate latch mechanism has a sensor or switch built into it to let the computer know if the tailgate is shut? I took the trim off and unplugged the latch etc and when you unplug the wiring to the latch, the tailgate open light goes off from the cluster. Is anyone able to confirm if there is a switch in there before I buy another one? Any suggestions would be great. I called VW parts (Wollongong) and they don't know for some reason.

Part number is 1k6.827.505 D
The latch looks like this one.


Thanks

[Guest001]

Read these threads or do a forum search on tailgate lock failures. Its not uncommon nor cheap

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f234/failed-locking-mech-auto-tailgate-113861.html?highlight=tailgate+lock

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f234/tailgate-latch-failure-115945.html?highlight=tailgate+lock

[MK4Mishy]

Cheers Hillbilly, I skipped those when I searched this sub category as the tailgate still locks and unlocks too. just the signal to say it's closed isn't working. But reading that thread someone said there is contact switches in it-that tell the tailgate control unit its opened or closed. Might try some electrical contact cleaner and go to town on it before I buy another one.

[Lasa911]

Hi There,

I had busted plastic worm inside the lock mechanism in my 2011 Wagon boot door,
Since I have opened the lock carefully without breaking the unit to confirm if its fixable, as I was under warranty at that time so it was fixed by the dealer at no cost to me.

If you got nothing to lose, check if there is an actuator OPEN/CLOSE switch inside will signal the controller if is moved to its position and safely locked the boot, its bit of hassle to pull the trims of the boot though.

I had my boot lid tied with a rope till get all fixed.
Good luck

[MK4Mishy]

Hey, Thanks. I ended up buying a used one from a wrecker and it fixed the problem straight away. But you are right. I was curious as to what was in it and pulled it all apart and found 2 switches. 1 was working and the other wasn't clicking properly. Managed to get the one that wasn't clicking properly to work again. Everything else on the latch works as it should though.
Haha yeah removing the trim seemed a bit scary, felt like i was going to break something. Those metal clips are strong.

I made a small video and took some photos of what was inside the latch as I couldn't find any photos or videos on the internet. Hopefully helps people out.



More Photos in an album: VW Tailgate Latch | Flickr

Hope it may help others in having a go fixing theirs.

[Lasa911]

Good work with Video.