Mr FIAT - Your #1 source for vintage car parts

Has this happened to your fiat 500

Currently reading:
Has this happened to your fiat 500

N

Nadia122

New member
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
42
Points
10
Hi,
I have a 2009 model 1.2 sport. Recently my boot opens whilst Im driving. I hear a click and a message "boot open" comes up. If I drive over a bump it opens and I have to go out and close it. The same happens again if I go over another bump. What could the problem be and how can it be solved, please?
Thanks in anticipation. Incidentally I will need to replace the light bulb above the number plate.
Thanks.
 
I'm betting you have a remote keyfob, with the third button to open the tailgate. A similar problem was experienced a while ago, on a Stilo, I think, but not important. The buttons on the key were sticking, so operating when they should not have. Will need opening up and cleaning out, or possible replacing with a new casing from Ebay. Be very careful when opening the fob, the immobiliser chip is a small glass phial and is easily broken. Break it and you are in a huge amount of inconvenience and financial pain.

Drive it for a day or so with the spare non-remote key. The problem will probably not be there.
 
portland_bill said:
I'm betting you have a remote keyfob, with the third button to open the tailgate. A similar problem was experienced a while ago, on a Stilo, I think, but not important. The buttons on the key were sticking, so operating when they should not have. Will need opening up and cleaning out, or possible replacing with a new casing from Ebay. Be very careful when opening the fob, the immobiliser chip is a small glass phial and is easily broken. Break it and you are in a huge amount of inconvenience and financial pain.

Drive it for a day or so with the spare non-remote key. The problem will probably not be there.
Click to expand...
I will give that a go with the spare key. The prob with the remote with the 3 buttons is that the boot won't open unless you depress the bottom 3rd button. There's no key hole in the boot that will allow you to put the key in and open it manually. I will nevertheless give that a go and see what happens.
 
Nadia122 said:
I will give that a go with the spare key. The prob with the remote with the 3 buttons is that the boot won't open unless you depress the bottom 3rd button. There's no key hole in the boot that will allow you to put the key in and open it manually. I will nevertheless give that a go and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Sorry. Thanks for replying.
 
Nadia122 said:
I will give that a go with the spare key. The prob with the remote with the 3 buttons is that the boot won't open unless you depress the bottom 3rd button. There's no key hole in the boot that will allow you to put the key in and open it manually. I will nevertheless give that a go and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Once the car is unlocked, the boot should open by squeezing the rubber 'handle' between the number plate lamps.
 
portland_bill said:
Once the car is unlocked, the boot should open by squeezing the rubber 'handle' between the number plate lamps.
Click to expand...
You won't believe this but the rubber handle has never worked since I bought the car ( 3 years ago). Yes I should have asked them to look at it but I didn't. Silly me
 
Nadia122 said:
You won't believe this but the rubber handle has never worked since I bought the car ( 3 years ago). Yes I should have asked them to look at it but I didn't. Silly me
Click to expand...

Ouch!

Yes, should have complained immediately. Microswitch in handle is a frequent failure point, but switch on its own is not available. Needs whole 'handle' assembly costing around £200, plus fitting.
I've just 'fixed' mine on the Panda by fitting a separate switch, quite discreet, but involves a bit of fiddling and some soldering. Definitely not a garage job, as labour will be horrendous, if you found anyone able and willing. Not sure of the shape of the 500 handle, so don't know if there's space for the same mod on yours.

I assume as you've not mentioned cabrio, that yours is the normal hatch. There is a latch on the lock that can be released from inside the boot, so once the rear seat is folded, and anything in the boot moved, the latch can be pushed to open the hatch. Fine for getting it open to repair, but not practical for everyday.

As the handle microswitch is not operating, we can hope that this is not the cause of the problem. So go with the spare key for a few trips, see if the problem occurs, or not. If you really need to get into the boot, you could carry the main key, but it needs to be put somewhere soft, so it does not react to bumps. Inside a jiffy bag might do it. In a handbag full of other 'stuff' might not work, if heavier stuff squeezes it.
 
portland_bill said:
Ouch!

Yes, should have complained immediately. Microswitch in handle is a frequent failure point, but switch on its own is not available. Needs whole 'handle' assembly costing around £200, plus fitting.
I've just 'fixed' mine on the Panda by fitting a separate switch, quite discreet, but involves a bit of fiddling and some soldering. Definitely not a garage job, as labour will be horrendous, if you found anyone able and willing. Not sure of the shape of the 500 handle, so don't know if there's space for the same mod on yours.

I assume as you've not mentioned cabrio, that yours is the normal hatch. There is a latch on the lock that can be released from inside the boot, so once the rear seat is folded, and anything in the boot moved, the latch can be pushed to open the hatch. Fine for getting it open to repair, but not practical for everyday.

As the handle microswitch is not operating, we can hope that this is not the cause of the problem. So go with the spare key for a few trips, see if the problem occurs, or not. If you really need to get into the boot, you could carry the main key, but it needs to be put somewhere soft, so it does not react to bumps. Inside a jiffy bag might do it. In a handbag full of other 'stuff' might not work, if heavier stuff squeezes it.
Click to expand...
Oh dear ! I used the basic spare key a lot today. Mainly night driving. Everytime the light is switched on (on the stalk), the boot opens. I then have to go out and slam the boot door to close it.
However in the day time the warning light comes on , to advise that a door is open.( when I was using the remote key).
Not sure what will happen in the day time, when I use the spare key.
This problem with the boot opening is quite a newish thing.
 
The diagnosis is changing.
The wiring to the tailgate passes across the hinges at the top, inside a bellow-like tube. With a lot of opening and closing, the wires have been known to fray. I now think the problem lies in there.

Initially you were experiencing problems when going over bumps, and I thought key button stuck, just making contact as it jarred. Of course, the 'contact' could be within the wiring at the tailgate.
You also reported a bulb not working above the number plate. This could also point at a wiring issue, rather than the bulb.
Now, you have boot open when you turn the lights on. If wires are touching at the tailgate hinge, all these issues could be caused.

I think there is a repair kit available. Do a search for tailgate wiring issues and see what comes up.
The repair is labour intensive, as each wire needs to be separated and replaced. Do you have anyone in the family, including you, who might be capable of this?
 
portland_bill said:
The diagnosis is changing.
The wiring to the tailgate passes across the hinges at the top, inside a bellow-like tube. With a lot of opening and closing, the wires have been known to fray. I now think the problem lies in there.

Initially you were experiencing problems when going over bumps, and I thought key button stuck, just making contact as it jarred. Of course, the 'contact' could be within the wiring at the tailgate.
You also reported a bulb not working above the number plate. This could also point at a wiring issue, rather than the bulb.
Now, you have boot open when you turn the lights on. If wires are touching at the tailgate hinge, all these issues could be caused.

I think there is a repair kit available. Do a search for tailgate wiring issues and see what comes up.
The repair is labour intensive, as each wire needs to be separated and replaced. Do you have anyone in the family, including you, who might be capable of this?
Click to expand...

No sadly there isn't anyone in the family that I can turn to. I will do a search for tailgate wiring issues.
I was looking yesterday how to change the bulb and at warning lights on the dashboard and am pretty sure I came across something about wiring issues and the bulb. I will try and find it in my search history and see if I can attach a link to see what you think? Is that ok? with you PLEASE?
I'm going to hve a look now and report my findings. Thanks for the moment.
 
Nadia122 said:
No sadly there isn't anyone in the family that I can turn to. I will do a search for tailgate wiring issues.
I was looking yesterday how to change the bulb and at warning lights on the dashboard and am pretty sure I came across something about wiring issues and the bulb. I will try and find it in my search history and see if I can attach a link to see what you think? Is that ok? with you PLEASE?
I'm going to hve a look now and report my findings. Thanks for the moment.
Click to expand...


I think this is it, above. My friend came round earlier and we tried both keys and played around. Eventually we found that both number plate bulbs were working. It must be the wiring. My friend's going to see if the mechanic he uses is free and if so I will take the car over to his garage and see if he can help. I hope he can.
 
For what it's worth, I was £80 for a garage to fix the hatch wiring using the repair kit mentioned in the above post. It shouldn't really be more than an hour's labour.
 
My number plate lights both went out together, I repaired the hatch wiring using extra flexible cable, took me 3 hours but all good, but I'm confident at soldering/tackling the job.
Our boot handle switch is iffy, by chance we banged hard on the silver bit, hey presto the switch works, sometimes we have to do it every time others it works without issue.
 
Interesting! I will give it a bang or two and see if it works. With regard to the initial issue about the boot opening when I use the main remote key, I haven't used the car since. I will and use the spare key instead. I'm hoping the car will be looked at on friday. Thanks to everyone , for giving me advice. I willreport back when I have some moreinfo.
 
I have an update on the issue of the boot opening when I start the car. Using the remote key and the spare key didn't make any difference to the problem. The boot also opened when I put the lights on. The number plate warning light on the dashboard stayed on and a message flickers on the dashboard that the number plate lights aren't on/working ( I can't remember the exact wording).
My dad took the car to a garage and they repaired the microswitch in the boot handle and removed the rubber gaitor in the boot area and checked the wires but couldn't find any problems there. The number plate lights worked too. They said drive it and see what happens. They just asked for a drink; my dad gave them £20.
Yesterday my dad drove the car, at night time, and the number plate lights wouldn't come on and the message that the number plate lights were not on came up and the warning light came up too. This morning we got in the car, put the light switch on and off and there's no warning light or message. I don't know whats going on. I guess I may well have a problem tonight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
General Fiat 500 - damage to retractable roof .
Replies
2
Views
67
AndyRKett
AndyRKett
J
Technical Fiat 500 (2011) Boot lock failure to open
Replies
7
Views
22
Piccolo Nero e Bella
Piccolo Nero e Bella
D
General Fiat 500 family
Replies
12
Views
488
DanG1989
D
D
Technical Fiat 500 Dualogic understanding this system and how it operates
Replies
4
Views
936
the green vanper
the green vanper
A
General Fiat 500 twinair
Replies
19
Views
1K
d4zzl3r
D
Back
Top