Technical Tailgate Button

[tomtully]

Hi. I have just bought a 500 POP 2009 plate and the button on the tailgate trim does not seem to work. When buying the car the garage told me that the early 500s do not have a button on the tailgate and you just use the key release to open it. Is this true. The other 500 they had in at the time also did not open via the button and only using the key release button.

If this is correct is there a way of changing some parts to ones off a newer model to get this to work.

Thanks in advanced
Tom

 

[John202020]

No its not true, they all have an external boot release, he's telling fibs.
One of two things will have happened, the boot switch connected to the small handle(electric actuation) could have failed, mines iffy(59 plate pop) crazy as it sounds a good knock on the top of the silver part on the switch then works(once, you have to repeat the process every time), or, more worryingly the bundle of wires going into the boot lid are starting to fail, a common and possibly expensive fix if left for long as it can effect other electrical systems

http://fiatforum.com/500/423837-maybelline-has-thrown-hissy-fit.html#post4063061

 

[gazz_bee]

Hi. I have just bought a 500 POP 2009 plate and the button on the tailgate trim does not seem to work. When buying the car the garage told me that the early 500s do not have a button on the tailgate and you just use the key release to open it. Is this true. The other 500 they had in at the time also did not open via the button and only using the key release button.

If this is correct is there a way of changing some parts to ones off a newer model to get this to work.

Thanks in advanced
Tom

If it's a Fiat dealer who's given you that advice then that's diabolically misinformed. Three possible faults are from dirt/grime lodged in the hinged part of the boot handle, faulty boot switch or damaged rear hatch wiring.

You haven't said how recently you've bought your car - it may still have warranty from the garage. If it is still under warranty I'd get the garage to check (and inevitably fix the wiring) anyway.

 

[tomtully]

Hi gazz_bee,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. I thought this may be the case as I have never heard of a tailgate not opening from the handle before. If anything i would of thought it would not have a button on the key. I bought the car about 3 months ago for my little brother who is undertaking his lessons but we got it at such a cheap price I did not really push him on the tailgate. It was bought from a small interdependent garage not a Fiat main dealer but I will be informing them of the miss information.

Looking at the button closely it looks as if the hinge has been broken and the button is actually jammed. I have just bought a new handle off eBay so hopefully this will sort my problem.

Many thanks again for your advice.

 

[tomtully]

Hi John202020,

Thank you for the information. Looking closely it is a damaged handle. I will be taking this up with the garage but i have just bought a new assembly so hopefully this will correct the problem.

Many Thanks Tom

 

[John202020]

Hi John202020,

Thank you for the information. Looking closely it is a damaged handle. I will be taking this up with the garage but i have just bought a new assembly so hopefully this will correct the problem.

Many Thanks Tom

Note the movement is very little of the handle maybe 3mm four nuts hold on the silver bit you will need to remove the trim panel a oversized plastic fork (similar to a kitchen Turner but fork style) makes getting the many plastic push fittings out much easier on reassembly note the trim has clips where it meets the glass area.