Boot opening problems

[Tawny]

Hi all

Long time since I've been on the board - very happy with my June '09 Sumatra 2.0 Tsi. It's bedded in well, behaved itself so far in the crazy snow and ice and never fails to put a smile on my face when I get inside.

I have one niggle though that I don't know if it's a fault on just my car or whether it's a "feature"! When I press the remote to open the boot you have to have your hand on the boot lip to lift it up at the very moment the remote unlocks it or it stays "on the latch" so to speak. You can't lift the boot up properly unless you're ready and waiting right there!

Is this usual, or should I get the dealer to look at it. So annoying especially when my son wants to chuck his school kit in the boot and I'm inside and he's not right there with his hand ready to lift the boot as I press either the remote or the boot release inside the car. I guess we're used to it now but if it's a fault I'll get it looked at.

Cheers to all.
Tawny

[iAmbu]

Hi Tawny, I think this is a fault (in fact, I'm sure it is), and my car has it also.... In my case, I often have to press the remote / boot release switch twice, as often you can hear the boot activate the first time, but when you go to pull it up it is still "on the latch". A second key press on the remote sorts it out all the same, but it is annoying. I keep meaning to spray some WD40 into the boot lock mechanism (top and bottom) as I think I remember reading somewhere on here that that helped someone with the same / similar issue.

If that doesn't cure it I will call in to my dealers next time I am passing.

[Tawny]

Good to know I'm not alone then! I think I'll mention it to the dealer and try the WD40 as well, that and the Silicone spray for the windows.With the adverse weather about to hit yet again I think my windows might just conk out all together!

[RW1]

Check these out.......

Have you got both bump stops near fitted near the strut ends on the rear hatch? One on its own cannot spring the tailgate free of the lock.

Check that both bump stops are extended. It is posible to lock them in the retracted position. Twist anti-clockwise about 1/8th of a turn and it will extend if locked up.

The bump stops may be adjusted incorrectly. The extended length is too short, so they don't push the rear hatch upwards enough to clear the lock mechanism when the latch releases so the lock grabs the securing lock pin again on the inner boot lip. Adjusting is a 3mm Allen Key through the rubber boot hole at the bottom. Unscrew the grub screw almost all the way out. The stopper is on a serated edge and a little bit tuft to push and pull but should move. Then retighten the brub screw, being sure to pick up on its thread as its a self tapper screw.

Lifting the rear hatch while pressing the fob unlock on either the first action or second proves the lock is OK and WD40 will do nothing to rectify the problem.

C.

[Tawny]

Superb - thanks for the tips. If it ever gets above freezing here then I can try all that! So good to have people in the know here for really simple but niggly things. I guess that's what makes this board special, that we have a common interest and it's a community. OK, finished gushing now!

[BunnyJen]

Check these out.......

Have you got both bump stops near fitted near the strut ends on the rear hatch? One on its own cannot spring the tailgate free of the lock.

Check that both bump stops are extended. It is posible to lock them in the retracted position. Twist anti-clockwise about 1/8th of a turn and it will extend if locked up.

The bump stops may be adjusted incorrectly. The extended length is too short, so they don't push the rear hatch upwards enough to clear the lock mechanism when the latch releases so the lock grabs the securing lock pin again on the inner boot lip. Adjusting is a 3mm Allen Key through the rubber boot hole at the bottom. Unscrew the grub screw almost all the way out. The stopper is on a serated edge and a little bit tuft to push and pull but should move. Then retighten the brub screw, being sure to pick up on its thread as its a self tapper screw.

Lifting the rear hatch while pressing the fob unlock on either the first action or second proves the lock is OK and WD40 will do nothing to rectify the problem.

C.

One of the springs and popper flew off my boot the other day. I'm guessing these are what you're talking about RW1? The two little black rubber studs with springs underneath which are located either side of the boot, when the boot is closed they're above each tail light? Anyway yes as I said one flew off at lightning speed...kinda dangerous to be honest. My boyfriend and me managed to push it back on but in doing so I think it's broken the boot as I can no longer open the bloomin' thing. Perhaps I've done what you said and put it back on in the wrong position. If I can get it open again perhaps I can try rotating it as you suggested.

[RW1]

Is the lock still working? ie. you can hear the mechanism noise for 1/2 second when the key fob/door switch is operated.

C.

[BunnyJen]

Yep it works still. The initial click it makes can be heard. And it lifts ever so slightly. I can fit my fingers under the boot edge. But when I come to lift it to the next stage it doesn't open. Tonight I pushed the lock on and off a few times and it eventually opened.

[RW1]

Good, now check the stoppers are fully released and springy with about 1cm of travel.

If not, then you may have locked them in the fully home position which is why the boot hatch is not lifting as normal. They need to push in more compressed slightly and twist 1/8th of a turn anti-clockwise to release.

C.

[BunnyJen]

The right one is fine but the left one's stuck in the closed position. Having taken a look at the part it looks like something inside it has snapped off the inside when it's pinged off. I guess I'll have to pop it into the garage and get them to fix it for me. Ah well.

[RW1]

Looks like you savaged that one!

You'll get a few pennies out of a fiver for a new one. Part No. 1K8 827 761D

C.

[BunnyJen]

Cool! Thanks Chris. I'll get it sorted tomorrow hopefully.

[Pheo]

Mine has just done exactly the same thing, 09 plate as well.

Get the feeling these parts get a bit too brittle in the cold weather!

[RW1]

If you are lubricating them at all as part of an attempt to prevent freezing up . Then pretroleum based products can melt the re-cycled plastic they are made from. Just be aware. I leave mine untouched and in cold weather lift the hatch as the lock is operating when it has no spring upwards.

BunnyJen's looks more like fracture failue?????

C.

[BunnyJen]

Mines booked in in the new year, will let you know what it was. I've not used anything to stop it freezing up.