Technical Rear hatch release catch.

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Why, oh why, do manufacturers so love these microswitch operated rear hatch release catches. There's one on the boy's Punto, on our Panda and on my, relatively new (new to me at 2016 anyway) Ibiza. The Punto lock itself actually packed in last year and a new lock had to be fitted. The Ibiza is still working ok but the Panda has been playing up for a while now.

What happens is it fails to trigger so doesn't release. Luckily she has a key lock to the right side of the trim (169 model) so if you operate it with the key it releases. then it goes back to working with the micro switch for a while - a few weeks - until it fails again. operate it with the key and it starts working with the micro switch again. I'm guessing something needs lubricated, but just before I go out and give it a wee spray with something like WD40, has anyone else had this particular set of symptoms and if so how did you cure it? - I know complete failure is not too uncommon, often related to wiring loom problems, but this doesn't seem to be the case here. Wondering if I'm better to take the lock right out and give it a degrease and lube

 

[jrkitching]

often related to wiring loom problems

The 169 thankfully doesn't seem to suffer from the all-too common hatch wiring fault that afflicts many 500's. The wiring is the same, but it doesn't bend through such an acute angle when the hatch is opened & closed.

Wondering if I'm better to take the lock right out and give it a degrease and lube

That's what I'd do. Much better than just spraying something into the mechanism and hoping for the best.

I'd avoid WD40, partly because the carrier solvent attacks some plastics, and partly because it leaves a sticky residue which attracts dirt and dust. There are better alternatives; electrical contact cleaner for one.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Thanks jrk. Think I'll just take the lock out and have a look - deep down I knew that was what I probably should be doing! Reassuring to read what you say about the hatch "transition" wiring. I was sure that was what was wrong with my boy's Punto, but in the event it was actually the lock itself - MOT fail, which surprised me, wasn't expecting that.

 

[portland_bill]

The microswitch in the handle on mine failed quite a few years ago. The fault I think is actually the hinge pins for the handle, that rust, and seize, and the handle cannot pivot as far as necessary to operate the microswitch. I took the whole handle assembly off the car, and spent a bit of time peering at it, but couldn't see a non-destrcutive way to get the hinge pins out to clean and lubricate them. The microswitch is plastic bodied, and heat-welded to the handle so no easy way to replace that either.

I have fitted a separate microswitch, under the face of the handle frame, over to the left. Then just cut and extended the original wires. I really should have taken lots of pics and written a guide, but haven't.

Switch used is this: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/push-button-switches/6903264/?relevancy-data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searchHistory={"enabled":true}

Edit: Here's a poor picture of it now.

 

[portland_bill]

Another thought. My additional/replacement switch cannot be fitted on the right, as it would fight with the key lock.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

The microswitch in the handle on mine failed quite a few years ago. The fault I think is actually the hinge pins for the handle, that rust, and seize, and the handle cannot pivot as far as necessary to operate the microswitch. I took the whole handle assembly off the car, and spent a bit of time peering at it, but couldn't see a non-destrcutive way to get the hinge pins out to clean and lubricate them. The microswitch is plastic bodied, and heat-welded to the handle so no easy way to replace that either.

I have fitted a separate microswitch, under the face of the handle frame, over to the left. Then just cut and extended the original wires. I really should have taken lots of pics and written a guide, but haven't.

Switch used is this: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/push-button-switches/6903264/?relevancy-data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searchHistory={"enabled":true}

Edit: Here's a poor picture of it now.View attachment 413935

Thanks PB. That looks like a good solution. It's getting cold up here now and we've had quite a bit of rain lately so I've not looked at it yet. It's continuing to work ok after I used the key on the manual release. I know in my heart it's going to do it again though.

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi Jock, I've also tried to fix our faulty hatch release. I agree, a microswitch without proper protection from the elements is asking for trouble. And it delivers!

I would recommend cleaning the handle, as lots of muck gets thrown up and forced in there. I followed the guide on here to remove the handle and clean with a toothbrush and warm soapy water. I didn't lubricate it as I didn't want to attract more muck. I'm not sure it needs lubrication, it's a simple plastic hinge and it pokes a (hopefully) sealed microswitch.

However, although cleaning improved ours, it's still not perfect.

It was trouble when we got our 54 plate (with remote unlocking) four years ago. The handle would hardly ever release the hatch, and then the hatch would occasionally open itself whilst driving!

It seems build-up of muck was keeping the handle in contact with the microswitch which would suddenly decide to operate.

After cleaning it stopped opening itself (now I check the handle to make sure it doesn't stick in the 'open' position). And the handle released the hatch reliably for a while, but over time it became more intermittent.

I've taken the handle off and cleaned it again, but it wasn't very dirty the second time, and the release microswitch is still intermittent.

On the occasions when the hatch fails to open, I can hear the switch clicking when I move the handle. It just doesn't do anything. I'm tempted to do the same as pb above and fit a separate switch.

if you operate it with the key it releases. then it goes back to working with the micro switch for a while - a few weeks - until it fails again. operate it with the key and it starts working with the micro switch again.

I find this intriguing - I hadn't noticed a relation between using the key and then the switch working. I used the key to open the hatch yesterday and it's been reliable since then, so maybe you're on to something! I'll keep checking...

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Hi Jock, I've also tried to fix our faulty hatch release. I agree, a microswitch without proper protection from the elements is asking for trouble. And it delivers!

I would recommend cleaning the handle, as lots of muck gets thrown up and forced in there. I followed the guide on here to remove the handle and clean with a toothbrush and warm soapy water. I didn't lubricate it as I didn't want to attract more muck. I'm not sure it needs lubrication, it's a simple plastic hinge and it pokes a (hopefully) sealed microswitch.

However, although cleaning improved ours, it's still not perfect.

It was trouble when we got our 54 plate (with remote unlocking) four years ago. The handle would hardly ever release the hatch, and then the hatch would occasionally open itself whilst driving!

It seems build-up of muck was keeping the handle in contact with the microswitch which would suddenly decide to operate.

After cleaning it stopped opening itself (now I check the handle to make sure it doesn't stick in the 'open' position). And the handle released the hatch reliably for a while, but over time it became more intermittent.

I've taken the handle off and cleaned it again, but it wasn't very dirty the second time, and the release microswitch is still intermittent.

On the occasions when the hatch fails to open, I can hear the switch clicking when I move the handle. It just doesn't do anything. I'm tempted to do the same as pb above and fit a separate switch.


I find this intriguing - I hadn't noticed a relation between using the key and then the switch working. I used the key to open the hatch yesterday and it's been reliable since then, so maybe you're on to something! I'll keep checking...

Thanks for linking me to that guide. I've still not looked at mine as the weather is horrible just now. Also it's still working ok since the last time I used the key in the lock to release it. Very interesting to hear your's responded to using the key just like mine did, It's got to be something to do with "gunge" somewhere in the works don't you think? The trouble is that as it's working ok just now I'll probably leave it either until the weather improves in the spring or it jams up good and proper!

 

[rmjbn1]

Very interesting to hear your's responded to using the key just like mine did, It's got to be something to do with "gunge" somewhere in the works don't you think?

The key lock barrel pulls a rod that releases the latch, so possibly that frees up the latch mechanism, then after a while the handle/microswitch activated switch in the latch isn't strong enough to do so any more? Maybe cleaning and lubricating the latch itself might help? I'll give that a go too and see if it continues to work.

 

[koalar]

if you push the handle you can feel the micro switch clicking freely as you push and release

Normally you get the click as you push but doesn’t get a release as it sticks

All I have ever had to do is strip and clean so it pivots easier

 

[Yolanda]

Does my 2004 Dynamic have this system or does it just use the key to open it.

 

[koalar]

As far as I know all dynamics can be opened via the key or via the boot lid handle

Pretty much all get gummed up and stop working over time

 

[Yolanda]

I've just taken the whole assembly off and there's no electrical connection going to the handle or evidence of a switch The only wires that are there are blue/black going to the number plate lights. There is however a connector the same as with the boot light that is taped up presumably from the factory, so maybe that's the feed for a different assembly.

 

[koalar]

From memory there is only one connector and all the wires are blue and black

As far as I remember it Has 4 pins in the connector

I will have to double check. I should know as I swapped a hatch over which involves threading all the wires through as there’s no joint in the wiring harness but my memory is a bit foggy

 

[koalar]

I can only see one connector not sure what the disconnected one is

 

[Yolanda]

Thanks' for the video, I removed the assembly again today and there is no micro switch for the release handle. In the video it shows four wires on one side presumably two for the switch and two for the right number plate light.
I think because my car is a pretty basic model 2004 Dynamic it didn't come with the option, as with the boot light.
Also I don't have remote locking.
Some pics of mine.

 

[koalar]

I am confused

That’s the handle looks like it’s from an Active with no remote central locking or boot solenoid (I guess this is the tapped wire)

Does your car have the trip computer controlled by the button on the right stalk

Most models don’t have the boot light fitted just a few of the special editions

The wiring’s always there but normally no bulb

 

[Yolanda]

Yes it does have trip facility and also there are wires going to the latch mechanism, but as you can see in the pics no micro switch and no wires for it.
In the middle pic you can see something jutting out, that's a padlock I've placed there to hold the assembly in the best position for the photo. Hope that's not causing the confusion.

 

[koalar]

Yes it does have trip facility and also there are wires going to the latch mechanism, but as you can see in the pics no micro switch and no wires for it.
In the middle pic you can see something jutting out, that's a padlock I've placed there to hold the assembly in the best position for the photo. Hope that's not causing the confusion.

What confusing me is I had a active and dynamic 06 and 05 respectively

Yours is the same handle as my active without a remote opening

As far as I was aware all dynamics had remote opening and trip computer

Maybe only after a certain date

Or

Maybe the hatch has been replaced

 

[koalar]

Does the latch have wire like this

I suspect the tapped up wire would normally go here ?