My tailgate will not always open when the car is unlocked.  All four doors will open OK but the tailgate just stays locked.  No sound when tailgate button is pressed.  Leave it for an hour or so, unlock using the fob, and the tailgate can be opened.  Close the tailgate and it cannot be opened again.  Not sure what is going on.  Anyone else had a similar problem?  I'm way out of warranty so would like a DIY fix if possible.

Pressing tailgate open button on key fob for a few seconds releases boot so problem must be with button on tailgate itself.  

Hi @plasma99 and welcome. Can't help directly, but a few questions if i may that might allow others to help diagnose.

 

When you talk about the tailgate button, do you mean the one on the centre console or the one on the tailgate itself? Estate or hatch?  How much has the car been driven recently? 

 

Sorry for all the questions, but it's not clear to me what is actually going on. On mine I only get a warning noise if using the button on the centre console (not when using the button on the hatch). I've heard that drained battery can cause various problems (in mine the worst was start-stop unavailable and keyless opening not working, but others have had multiple failures). 

 

So I would start by making sure the battery is fully charged. If that doesn't sort it, I'm afraid it may require replacement of the tail button. ISTR others have had this problem and had parts replaced under warranty (doesn't help you i know). Id recommended a search of this forum to see what it turns up. Good luck with it. 

Hi, I was referring to the button on the tailgate itself.  I don't have a TAILGATE OPEN button on the centre console - just a CENTRAL LOCKING LOCK/UNLOCK button.  The car is a hatchback and have been driven a 2-3 days per week over the last few months.  I am sure the battery is healthy. 

 

From my limited diagnostics skills, I believe the locking and unlocking function is working fine.  I believe the tailgate release mechanism is OK.  It is just the tailgate release button on the tailgate handle that is faulty.  I was a bit worried as I am going on holiday next week with alot of luggage.  However, the tailgate open button on the key fob does release the tailgate so I can still use the boot.    

 

I will update this post if I manage to fix it.  Slightly disappointed as I would expect this sort of fault on a 10+ year old car, not a 4 year old one.  That and the chrome strip coming off the window after a few years does grate a bit.  Maybe the Quality department need to take note.

I had my tailgate button replaced at less than 3 years old (so under warranty) But as I couldn't open the tailgate as that switch didn't work  it made no odds if the car was unlocked by the fob.

Quick update.  The main dealer quoted me over £100 for a new part - couldn't accept that.  I believe there are cheaper parts on Ebay for around £40.  I went for a bodge.  Don't know how long it will last but this is what I did:-

 

1. Button assembly removed from tailgate by prising away from panel with a screwdriver.

2. Connector unclipped to allow assembly to be completely removed.

3. Button package dis-assembled (not easy, did break a few  retaining clips along the way but not enough to cause a problem)

4. Believe the failure was caused by broken plastic around the white hinge (see photo).  This causes the button not to spring back properly after being pressed. 

5.  Microswitch itself tested and found to be fine.

6. Fashioned a new hinge housing using a cable clip (nail bent to force cable clip in position between housing and white hinge).

7. Reassembled and switch springs back properly after being pressed.

8. Tested on car and works fine after about 100 cycles.