Tailgate problems

[terrymars]

Hi i would like to introduce myself, my name is Terry and i drive a Pasatt TDI 130 Estate 2003. I must say the car is absolutely everthing i want or need from an estate, power with economy, what more can you ask for?

However one thing that started last winter, the tailgate indicator started to tell me that the tailgate was open whilst driving along, the interior light at the tailgate has stopped working and when opening the car by tailgate only, the alarm activates as soon as you lean into the car, if you unlock the whole car but only open the tailgate the car relocks and again the alarm activates.

Has anyone had similar problems and can anyone help?

Thanks

Terry

[Ben]

Welcome to the forum.

[Deborah]

Hello, Yes I am having the same problems with my 2003 Beetle TDI It all started after I took my car in for service last week and it has been raining cats and dogs in the Northwest of the US. I will post tomorrow what I find out when I take the car in.

[terrymars]

Thanks Deborah, hope you get a satisfactory answer to your problem, mine started last winter after frosts, i suspected the electronics or lock had just got damp, but it has carried on all year. I am reluctant to ask the garage to have a look until i have a better idea of what the problem may be, just in case they try and say i need multiple parts etc.

[kenney]

Here the problem usually is the micro swich in the tailgate lock,is defektive,it is a loose part and fairly east to replace

[terrymars]

Hi Kenney

Had a look today, found the microswitch on the lock mechanism, not sure how to get if off the lock though. Have you ever taken one off?

Thanks for the tip

[Deborah]

Hi Deborah here....after no sleep whatsoever I took my car to the garage the following morning where they found that the 3rd brake light in the middle of the hatch was leaking into the switch on latch. This was causing the alarm to malfunction. They replaced the third brake light, rewired and repaired latch connector and installed a new latch. Since I recently purchased the car from a dealership I was able to convince them to do the repairs at no charge. My check engine light was illuminating again! after they replaced a temperature gauge last week. This time is was corrosion on the glow plug harness. In addition to the repairs above they replaced the glow plug harness at no charge. I have notified them that I am concerned that there may be more issues and told them that they will need to continue to cover these problems. I have an extended warranty which did not cover the latest repairs, but, as I mentioned they did. I am hoping that I have not purchased a "LEMON" I would like to know if anyone else knows if Volkswagens are prone to leakage, corrosion and general water and condensation problems. I thought the designs had improved. My 4th VW! Thank you.

[kenney]

It is just pushed in,have a look at the pins and if these are rusted,get a new switch and you will be able to see how to change it