MK5 2006 VW Golf rear tailgate not opening. Help and advise required please.

[Mr.Linnet]

Thank you very much Roverfan for returning with that information. My remote fob button will unlock the drivers door with one press, two presses on the fob button will unlock all doors. The middle button on the fob remote is a dedicated boot unlock button. I have tried pressing it once, tried pressing it twice in quick succession and also holding it down all to no avail.

[Crasher]

Then I will need to look into obtaining that new wiring loom you mentioned previously.

That's the other side though, another £100 odd.

[Mr.Linnet]

Thank you Crasher for your message.

Just wondering whether Roverfan was onto something regarding the VW emblem handle badge when he said "If its not working from the emblem badge but shorting to open OK at the plug and no other variables it means the emblem badge switch is bad. The whole emblem badge is usually replaced for this fault"

I have just carried out a continuity test of the 2 pins that are in the rear of the VW emblem handle badge whilst operating the badge handle from the outside. There was no audible sound from the test meter or needle movement on the gauge and there should have been both. I crossed the probes on the test meter, the gauge moved and a there was an audible bleep. I tried the test for a second time at the rear of the VW emblem badge but again there was no movement of needle or audible sound from continuity meter when the badge is turned/twisted from outside.

Just to confirm too, that when I bridge the two pin plug that fits into the rear of the emblem badge it triggers and activates the actuator.

Probably best to get another VW emblem badge handle.

[Crasher]

The problem is, my brain is not allowed to work this way. As the customer is picking up the bill for each hour of my time I have to think of the quickest route to a solution, one that often involves balancing the time to repair something over the cost of a new part and it can be a delicate balancing act.

[Mr.Linnet]

Completely understand Crasher

[Mr.Linnet]

The final message in this thread for anyone reading these notes who has a similar problem with their tailgate not opening. It appears by default I may stumbled across the answers, I believe I originally had two issues. The wiring in either side tailgate rubber corrugated boot having breaks in for which I put insulation tape around them as soon as I saw them exposed.

I then replaced the VW tailgate handle badge and the tailgate locks and unlocks exactly as it should.

I have taken a couple of photos of the old defective VW tailgate handle badge. If you look at the photo of the badge/handle in the closed position and take notice of the pear shaped cam that operates the micro switch, then study the photo of the badge/handle in the open position and you will see the pear shaped cam has not moved.

The cam or the shaft has seized ( through water ingress I assume ) and so not operating the micro switch.

Hope someone finds this helpful.

VW Badge closed position.jpg

VW badge open position.jpg

[Crasher]

Corrosion to the unit is often from water dripping down from the washer connection on the motor.

[Mr.Linnet]

Thanks for that information Crasher.

Sorry and a bit belated but a public thank you to Crasher and Roverfan for their contributions to this thread

[Uzair_001786]

hi everyone,

So I’m in the same situation, I can’t find any damaged wires anywhere, however when I go to short the two pins from the badge the lock still doesn’t open, I bought the car like this and the previous owner said it stopped working after he installed a pair of VLAND rear lights? Anything I should look out for?

[vwtinkerboi]

Just want to thank the contributors to this old thread. I found it useful when my Mk5 Golf developed the same “boot won’t open” problem. I used the advice here to systematically locate the fault, which was a seized cam on the VW badge switch that didn’t turn. It was solved by a bit of WD40 to loosen the spring behind it, worked like a dream. Saved me buying a new latch or switch which wouldn’t have helped.