Unable to open the boot

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Unable to open the boot

muffin999

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My wife has just phoned to tell me she was unable to open the boot on our Fiat 500cc Pop.She uses the mechanical key which go's in the keyhole I have the press button key.I will try that when she returns.Is there a way to open the boot from inside if not any advice would be appreciated.Been told it might be a faulty switch if so do not know where to get a replacement and how much they are maybe get one from the breakers yard.
 
My wife has just phoned to tell me she was unable to open the boot on our Fiat 500cc Pop.She uses the mechanical key which go's in the keyhole I have the press button key.I will try that when she returns.Is there a way to open the boot from inside if not any advice would be appreciated.Been told it might be a faulty switch if so do not know where to get a replacement and how much they are maybe get one from the breakers yard.

Hi,:)
the press-button switches are indeed electrically operated.., it's possible todays heat has warped something,
:idea:I'd try parking it with the rear in the shade until this evening.

LOTS of threads about the switches and repair / replacement,
use the forums excellent SEARCH facility, (y)

Charlie
 
Not 100% sure on a 500cc, on a normal 500 just drop rear seat back to get in boot and on the right of the tailgate catch there is a small black plastic square piece, press it to open boot catch. :)
 
My wife has just phoned to tell me she was unable to open the boot on our Fiat 500cc Pop.She uses the mechanical key which go's in the keyhole I have the press button key.I will try that when she returns.Is there a way to open the boot from inside if not any advice would be appreciated.Been told it might be a faulty switch if so do not know where to get a replacement and how much they are maybe get one from the breakers yard.

so - how did it go..??:confused:
 
I called into my local garage the one Ihave always used and when they checked for me they said the switch had packed up and needed to be replaced so they will get one and fit it for me.Will post on hear the end result.Thank's for the replies much appreciated.
 
I have to have the entire boot handle replaced as it seems you are unable to get the switch on it's own.I have asked them to get one and they will fit it next Tuesday .The manager said the most it will cost will be £210 and the least £145 so we will see.
 
This happens to me all the time, I pull down the rear seats and open it from the inside, by pulling on a little latch, and it works again (until it gets stuck again)
 
I have to have the entire boot handle replaced as it seems you are unable to get the switch on it's own.I have asked them to get one and they will fit it next Tuesday .The manager said the most it will cost will be £210 and the least £145 so we will see.

Make sure you get the old part back, some clever person could fix it and sell on?
Our boot lid switch is iffy I've found by pure chance a good hard knock knock on the silver handle sorts it briefly repeat same process next time, as in open sesame!
 
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I have not had the problem.....(Yet) ;)
But could this problem be due to crap getting into the gaps around the boot release switch ??
A friend of mines daughter has a 500 pop and he said hers used to play up every 3 months or so but he sprayed up the gaps with WD40 and it fixed it. He now just gives it a squib every now and then and has had no further problems.
 
But could this problem be due to crap getting into the gaps around the boot release switch ??

It could; the aerodynamics of the 500 mean that a lot of c**p is deposited in that area. WD40 is not a good thing to use as it may damage the wiring and leaves a sticky residue that makes the problem worse; electrical contact cleaner would be a much better idea.

It could also be the dreaded hatch wiring fault; there isn't any spray that's been invented that will fix that!
 
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It could; the aerodynamics of the 500 mean that a lot of c**p is deposited in that area.

Definitely was the case with mine. Cleaning out the gap in the handle with a pipe cleaner was part of the regular maintenance routine. I do wonder how many switch/handles have been replaced just because of dirt rather than any electrical fault. Maybe worth getting the Guide Sticky updated to include this, the hatch wiring, etc?


It could also be the dreaded hatch wiring fault; there isn't any spray that's been invented that will fix that!

A test would be to see if the boot unlocks off the key fob in which case wiring shouldn't really be the cause?
 
Hello, new to the forum and essentially joined for advice for the problems relating to opening my boot. For some months now I have been unable to open the boot on 2013 500 Lounge with dropping the seat and operating it manually. My question is really having read a number of threads is: the boot will not open using the normal boot release on the plastic chrome handle, neither will it open by using the key fob, therefore I am assuming this is a problem with the solenoid in the catch, meaning a replacement of the catch rather than the switch itself. I have also just picked up on an issue relating to wiring, not sure on this one as not sure where to look. I've done the spraying of electrical contact cleaner through every gap I have been able to find! any help appreciated, I am fairly practical e.g. boot switch and lock assembly is currently sitting on the kitchen table having been sprayed! thx Mark
 
My question is really having read a number of threads is: the boot will not open using the normal boot release on the plastic chrome handle, neither will it open by using the key fob, therefore I am assuming this is a problem with the solenoid in the catch, meaning a replacement of the catch rather than the switch itself.

No, it's almost certainly the hatch wiring fault - if no power is getting to the solenoid, it won't work. Pictures showing what to look for are in this thread. Actual solenoid failure has never been reported.
 
No other faults with the hatch other than boot, having said that the parking sensors are playing up when the car has been washed or after heavy rain! will have a look at this wiring issue.
 
many thanks, I have taken the grommet out from the tailgate side and pushed the corrugated rubber sheath back as far as I can, wires are still covered with the fabric type tape with no obvious damage, will have another look and remove grommet from car body side also.
 
many thanks, I have taken the grommet out from the tailgate side and pushed the corrugated rubber sheath back as far as I can, wires are still covered with the fabric type tape with no obvious damage, will have another look and remove grommet from car body side also.

It can be much harder to push the rubber flexible back in at the car end, a suitable plastic "tool" helps, I used a piece of conduit cover, my wires in the flexible were not covered so was easy to see, covering only went up to just inside each end so simply cut it off, the point of failure is at the point of maximum bend tailgate end.
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/423837-maybelline-has-thrown-hissy-fit.html
 
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many thanks for all replies so far on my boot opening problem, I have finally managed to get some time to further investigate what's going on. I have now tested the electrical supply to both the wiring leading up to the boot micro switch and the boot catch mechanism, both with a healthy supply of around 13v.
So really confused as I would expect to be able to open the boot from the key remote, but no and equally can't open via micro switch, everything else ok e.g. rear wiper and lights just the boot.
I am now thinking have I got a fault with both the release catch and the micro switch.

Any thoughts appreciated, the good lady has now informed me that she has been unable to open the boot for 6months and therefore if I don't fix it quick smart she is taking it to the garage! ££££££ cheers Mark
 
Did you check there was a good earth connectionat the hatch solenoid? there's about 5 or 6 all black wires in the hatch wiring bundle they don't earth via the lid, so if you've lost the earth ?
Momentarily earthing the white wire with a orange stripe at the "microswitch " end should operate the latch, the black wire at the switch and the latch are both earth check either to the body for continuity and between each other
48 is latch, 3 (black-earth), 2 (white grey stripe goes to fuse box), 4 (purple also to fuse box)
25 3 (black earth) 2 (white orange stripe) goes to fuse box( no.5 in the picture)
 

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