Hi All

My first post, but a lot of stuff on here has been useful so thanks to you all.

My tailgate won't open on the main handle switch. The glass section opens fine on the push button but not the whole door.

Preceeding this there was an intermittent fault whereby the whole tailgate would release to first click when I turned the ignition on, at other times it would release as I started driving off (before speed related door locking engaged).

I'm assuming a knackered or corroded switch/motor/solenoid in handle area, can I remove the internal trim panels on the tailgate to get at the electrics with the 'gate firmly shut? If this is possible is there some manual release mechanism to engage?

Perhaps unrelated I have a dripping rh a pillar after or during rain is this having an effect on tailgate electrics or is it just a sunroof drainage problem (or roof rail attachment) I can start new thread for this if needed.

Cheers

Steve

Hi chizzy and welcome

I can tell you for a fact answers to both problems lie within the Forum so keep at that Search tool and then post within one of the relevant threads if you still need help

chizzy said:

can I remove the internal trim panels on the tailgate to get at the electrics with the 'gate firmly shut? If this is possible is there some manual release mechanism to engage?

Click to expand...

No you cant get the panel off with the boot shut.
To open it, the release is a small metal leaver, visible behind one corner of the boot catch plastic cover that you can see in the centre lower edge of the tailgate inside the car. Climb into the boot and flick the release with a screwdriver.

Thanks John

Got tailgate open. When it was half clicked shut pressing the glass release switch activated the main tailgate release motor. I've had the motor apart and it all appears to be moving as it should. I presume there's some dodgy connection in the wiring interconnecting all this setup. Next stop main tailgate switch to see if the fault lies within.

chizzy said:

When it was half clicked shut pressing the glass release switch activated the main tailgate release motor.

Click to expand...

I think that is wrong.
It should never allow you to open the glass unless the tailgate is fully shut, and the glass switch should not operate the tailgate release.

There are two microswitches in the tailgate latch. Take it apart and you will probably find one has broken off its flimsy mounting. I used Locktite Tak Pak to glue mine back together. It has never broken since.
If it is not this, it may well be the main handle switches, which I gather are rather expensive as it is a sealed unit in the handle which has to be painted to match your car.

John

the switch would appear to have been the problem, pulled the handle off tailgate, separated the switch from handle and then disassembled the switch and its gaiter. Lots of grime and moisture inside this component, cleaned all this, tested switch for continuity to the loom connector block, all ok.

If this is the part that Fiat say is only available with a newly painted handle then its an 'effing con! Wire connections are resined to back of switch but I see no valid reason why the switch cannot be obtained as a separate part! Anybody else with this problem clean switch assembly first, if it is faulty I'm sure another switch (Maplins?) could be connected to do the same job.