Technical Tailgate keeps opening,is a new tailgate the fix?

Currently reading:
Technical Tailgate keeps opening,is a new tailgate the fix?

gareth111278

Dazzed & Confused !
Joined
Nov 6, 2008
Messages
496
Points
124
Location
Near Barmouth N. Wales
Hi

My 06 reg Panda has the 'randomly opening tailgate' fault.

it opens fine when I use the remote but will often pop open un-asked, when it starts playing up it will often pop again as soon as its closed.

i've got the chance of a tail gate basically for free, my neighbor as one the same year & colour that's going for scrap. Does anyone know if the fault is likely to be within the tailgate & if I change it the fault will move to the scrap car?

Cheers
Gareth
 
I had a similar problem, mine opened when activating the rear wiper.
I replaced the grip of the tailgate, this solved my problem.

Apparently the microswitch in the grip fails because it’s exposed to the elements.
You can check if the switch is the problem by removing the interior cover and disconnecting the tailgate connector. (Don’t drive the car at night though, numberplate lights won’t work)

If this solves the problem, just replace the grip. There are instructions on this site.
 
Take a can of WD40 and spray it in to the gaps around the handle (from underneath), I literally mean a whole can, keep spraying until it's pouring out, the idea is to flush all the muck out of the switch & handle.

Worked for us.

Additionally, the spring on our handle is rusted/broken, make sure to push it towards the front of the car after closing.
 
The microswitch is not sealed properly. It is moulded, but the joint is not sealed, only keeping moisture out when new and the joint is tight. It is however plastic welded to the handle assembly, so only replacement is complete handle assembly.

Boot popping open is likely to be the switch stuck closed, or nearly closed. The handle only moves a small amount, and the pivot gets tight, hence the advice above to push it away from you after opening.

Mine went the other way, refusing to open the boot. I replaced the switch with a push button, snipping the wires close to the original microswitch and diverting them to my new switch.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/push-button-switches/6903264/?sra=pstk
I mounted the switch vertically to the left of the number plate lights. (Other side has the lock barrel) Hardly visible, but working reliably.

I should have taken more time and created a guide.
If anyone needs more details, I'll take the handle off and post a few pics.
 
Pop the buttons off the tailgate trim. Four 10mm nuts and an electrical connector, swap just the handle assembly. No alignment issues.
If that doesn't fix it, the problem is likely to be the wiring across the hinge.

Put the rest of the free tailgate in the loft.
 
Mine does that occasionally when something stops the tail gate from shutting properly. Normally my rucksack strap. If it's not the micro switch (most likely) then the latch/ solenoid would need cleaning/changing
 
How would you know the new tailgate is any better. And the paint probably wont match. Just swap the parts.

BTW, what does a new lock assembly cost from Fiat?
 
remove inner cover from tailgate
disconnect linkage (s)
with heat gun or wifes hairdryer waft the clip at each end to make them pliable pull out the long plastic section and disconnect the electrical plug (s)
replace after swapping lock over
if you want a simple life buy a non remote plastic bit off another tailgate and swap lock over
changing tailgate is madness and i seem to remember i couldnt get the loom into new tailgate like you could on puntos so it was wire chopping and soldering under the roof trim

the micro switches do go faulty after a while as i believe portland-bill mentions?
 
I havn't looked at a Panda, but replaced the microswitch in our micra with one from Maplin at 50p and sealed it in with black silicon mastic which sorted the problem for just an hour of fiddling about.

Electric door lock handles seem to be a complete pain in the rear end. I still cant quite understand what was so difficult about a key. I suppose its easier electrically, but manufacturer prices for some of these parts is obscene. It cost £168 for a Seat door lock after many cheap replacements failed to work as expected, and the Nissan wanted over £200 for the boot handle on the Micra! Quite who do they think they are kidding I wonder. Anyone with a Micra problem please get in touch for details of the simple fix.
 
Back
Top