Our three year old Multi (orange. I love it to bits, even more than the old one, despite the boring shape, but I digress) has a seized boot lock. Has anyone else had this? For a few days it was hit and miss whether it would open and now it never will. I'm assuming it's an electrical problem but I'm hoping our local garage will be able to fix it as the local Fiat garage is useless and expensive. I'd like to be able to make sensible suggestions to the local garage as to what might be wrong. Does anyone know?

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

We have a similar problem with our 53 Multipla and we can now only open the boot with the key.
Anyone else got any ideas on this?

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

When you guys refer to the boot lock, do you mean you can't open it from the outside by simply pressing the rubber covered release switch?

I haven't checked the manual yet (no time) to see if there's a separate fuse for the boot lock mechanism.

If it is, it wouldn't be hard to check.

I'm assuming the boot lock mechanism is the same between the older and latest models.

If it's not a fuse, it could simply be a stuck/faulty boot release switch. It may be on a spring that has come away. When you push the release switch, do you still feel the button move upwards? If so, do you hear the switch relay/motor go click or is there no click?

I haven't bought myself a knocked off EPC or repair manual on CD from fleabay yet, but I doubt it'll be too hard to find out the fault.

Other than a fuse, it could be the micro switch, relay, or motor.

I'm sure these can be bought from a local scrappy or ebay for peanuts.

It wouldn't surprise me if these parts aren't also used on other models - making it easier to source if yours is faulty.

I can see those eBay seller putting up their prices as I type!!!!:bang:

I doubt it'll be difficult to replace either. From my limited experience of taking Fiats apart, it's usually quite easy to to get to the stuff in the hatch area. You'll need to remove the boot panel trim to reveal the gadgetry and the rest is held in by nuts, bolts and screews.

Step 1: Check the fuse first!

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

Hi. We recently had a similar problem with our 54 multipla and discovered that it was water in the unlock switch. stripped it all down, dried it and resealed it and so far no re-occurance of the problem. Hope this helps?

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

Found this on E-bay if it helps anyone
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/fiat-multipla...ryZ10382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

Hi. What was involved in removing the "unlock" switch (the rubber pressure switch/button on the outside of the boot)? Thanks.

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

Hi there,

Our 05 Multi had the same problem a while a go and when I was reading up on it at the time it seemed to be a fairly common issue with no obvious single cause. General recommendation, which I followed, was to strip down the lock as suggested above. All fairly straightforward - just a matter of taking the inner boot panel etc off and going logically from there (sorry cannot remember the details).

Anyway - all working fine now and we have had no problems since.

Also, in case anyone does not know on the new models there is a little lever on the left(?) side of the lock inside the car to open the boot in an emergency. Sent one of the kids in to open it before I stripped the lock down!
Cheers
Mark

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

Well at least I know i'm not alone, my 2004 Multi has just developed the same problem - boot release works from the release switch at the drivers seat, and with key, but not from the rubber release on the boot.

I will strip it down and repair when/if i get some time

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

My release switch in the outside handle can be a bit temperamental occasionally, and the driver's release switch has decided to hide up inside the cover, still operates OK though.

Am I correct in thinking the key unlock/opening set-up is purely mechanical, i.e. no electrics involved?

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

Thanks,

It sounds like we're getting closer to fixing the problem....

I've removed the boot interior trim but it doesn't provide access to the exterior rubber handle/switch. Where to from here?

Thanks again.

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

hi guys,
not had a prob with the boot............yet............. but where are the driver switches located? didn't know there were remote switches for the boot.
06 model.
regards
don

I had the same problem on my Punto GT. Had to have the boot lock 'refurbished' - couldn't even get the key in it, I thought it had been glued by one of my delightful neighbours kids.

I think it set me back £80.

Cars are like women, you can't live without them, and can't resist going for a ride late at night with one you love.

Re: Multipla bot lock - it's permanently locked!

dwbr22387 said:

...where are the driver switches located? didn't know there were remote switches for the boot...

Click to expand...

My 02 115 JTD has the unlocking switch on the floor, just in front of the handbrake lever.
It's in a small 'humped' housing...

All,

I too had the problem of not being able to open the tailgate on my '54 Multipla.
Following the advice here, established that the microswitch was not working (ie when operated the lock did not open and release the tailgate - there is no fuse to check) i then purchased the microswitch from my local Fiat garage (£63.36 inc VAT - THIS IS TRULY A WICKED PRICE FOR WHAT IT IS :bang: ). It is no cheaper on e-bay.

Follow these instruction to remove old switch and fit new one. .
Allow 1.5 hours.

1. Open tailgate from the inside. There is a small metal tab which is part of the lock - the small gap between the lock housing and the lock itself will allow you to put one finger in and push the tab towards the lock. This will release the lock and the tailgate will open.
2. Remove the plastic inner panel - 4 phillips screws, one each corner. Pull panel away - there are some plastic retainers that will pop out as you remove the panel).
3. Remove the lower plastic moulding - this is the piece on the outside of the tailgate that holds the number plate etc. . Remove the 4 phillips screws around the outside. Then remove the 2 phillips screws on the inside of the tailgate. Then remove the 3 star headed screws just above the number plate. Pull the plastic panel away - two platic retainers will then pop out.
4. Remove the 2 star headed screws that hold the offending micro switch in place.
5. Dismantle the electric lead
6. Re-fit the new switch, connect the lead and test.
7. If all OK, then refit the tailgate plastic moulding and inside panel in reverse order of the above instructions.

This is not a particularly difficult job, and believe me, if I can do, anybody can!!
Hope this helps.

Spudd.

Can you post a pic of the microswitch please spudd, new or old.

hi guys.
cheers bike doc I will have a look and see if the later ones are the same.........
regards
don

BikeDoc,

I cannot insert the picture here.
However, if you go to the Gallery and search for Multipla tailgate microswitch, you will see the image there.
Fiat part number: 10071732411


The pen in the image is there for scale puposes only (just in case you thought it may have been given away free by the Fiat franchisee!!!!!!).

Pip pip

Spudd

dwbr22387 said:

hi guys.
cheers bike doc I will have a look and see if the later ones are the same.........
regards
don

Click to expand...

No problem.

Spudd said:

BikeDoc,
I cannot insert the picture here.
However, if you go to the Gallery and search for Multipla tailgate microswitch, you will see the image there.
Fiat part number: 10071732411...Spudd

Click to expand...

Thanks Spudd.
I was asking just out of interest/curiosity really, then this morning my lock started playing up, took a few goes to get it open, although it seems OK now.
May have been the cold, but I suspect it's on the way out

Spudd said:

All,

I too had the problem of not being able to open the tailgate on my '54 Multipla.
Following the advice here, established that the microswitch was not working (ie when operated the lock did not open and release the tailgate - there is no fuse to check) i then purchased the microswitch from my local Fiat garage (£63.36 inc VAT - THIS IS TRULY A WICKED PRICE FOR WHAT IT IS :bang: ). It is no cheaper on e-bay.

Follow these instruction to remove old switch and fit new one. .
Allow 1.5 hours.

1. Open tailgate from the inside. There is a small metal tab which is part of the lock - the small gap between the lock housing and the lock itself will allow you to put one finger in and push the tab towards the lock. This will release the lock and the tailgate will open.
2. Remove the plastic inner panel - 4 phillips screws, one each corner. Pull panel away - there are some plastic retainers that will pop out as you remove the panel).
3. Remove the lower plastic moulding - this is the piece on the outside of the tailgate that holds the number plate etc. . Remove the 4 phillips screws around the outside. Then remove the 2 phillips screws on the inside of the tailgate. Then remove the 3 star headed screws just above the number plate. Pull the plastic panel away - two platic retainers will then pop out.
4. Remove the 2 star headed screws that hold the offending micro switch in place.
5. Dismantle the electric lead
6. Re-fit the new switch, connect the lead and test.
7. If all OK, then refit the tailgate plastic moulding and inside panel in reverse order of the above instructions.

This is not a particularly difficult job, and believe me, if I can do, anybody can!!
Hope this helps.

Spudd.

Click to expand...

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks very much for being so precise.

Umberto

Now mine has just given up. Time to get the screwdrivers out!

To anyone that has succesfully fixed their switch - does it look like a water ingress problem, or just old age?