The boot on our mk3 octavia isn't opening from the outside. I'm sure it's either the switch on the boot exterior (above number plate) or the actual lock mechanism on the boot bottom. 

 

The boot button on the key engages the central locking, but I hear no noises from the boot. Only way I can open it at present is from inside with a screwdriver through the little access hole. 

 

Is there a way I can work out which bit needs swapping out?

 

I've checked the other threads on this and couldn't find this answer. Apologies if I've missed it. 

Yup - the boot latch switch has died.  Common fault.  Take off the back panel of the boot lid and replace the switch itself.  They suffer from water ingress.

1 hour ago, varaderoguy said:

Yup - the boot latch switch has died.  Common fault.  Take off the back panel of the boot lid and replace the switch itself.  They suffer from water ingress.

 

Are we talking the switch above the reg plate, that opens the boot. Or the actual latch mechanism on the inside, if that makes sense. 

We are talking about the switch above the reg plate. Known weak point.

As above has stated, its a common issue, I had one replaced under extended skoda warranty on my last octavia. Otherwise I'd have replaced it myself. 

If it helps, the boot buttons are fitted to a variety of VAG cars. New they are expensive for genuine, I paid £20 for a second hand part labelled as an Audi part. Once the large inside plastic panel is off its easy to pry out the button and get a part number.

Update to this - so I got a new unit from autodoc for about £25 delivered. No problem to fit, and worked a treat... For 2 weeks. Took it get it washed and valeted today. Got it home and now it won't open again!! 

 

Now I'm presuming water from the wash has got in there again... They washed it first and then did inside, boot opened fine at that point. I'm guessing in the time of me driving it home, water had tracked in and blown the brand new unit? 

 

So my question is... Do I really have to get another new unit, might it dry out? And if so, is there anyway to stop this happening again. A hole that can be plugged or sealed up, pretty expensive to buy a new everytime it gets pressure washed 😅

6 hours ago, Darealspoon said:

Update to this - so I got a new unit from autodoc for about £25 delivered. No problem to fit, and worked a treat... For 2 weeks. Took it get it washed and valeted today. Got it home and now it won't open again!! 

 

Now I'm presuming water from the wash has got in there again... They washed it first and then did inside, boot opened fine at that point. I'm guessing in the time of me driving it home, water had tracked in and blown the brand new unit? 

 

So my question is... Do I really have to get another new unit, might it dry out? And if so, is there anyway to stop this happening again. A hole that can be plugged or sealed up, pretty expensive to buy a new everytime it gets pressure washed 😅

 

I pressure wash mine regularly and have never had that issue, maybe just bad luck? Could be nothing to do with water and just bad luck?

10 hours ago, Dooge said:

 

I pressure wash mine regularly and have never had that issue, maybe just bad luck? Could be nothing to do with water and just bad luck?

 

Exactly, Ive never had any issues washing my skodas before either, but it seems like an unlikely coincidence that a brand new unit would work fine until straight after it's washed for the first time 🤷‍♂️

 

On 25/06/2024 at 09:46, Darealspoon said:

 

Exactly, Ive never had any issues washing my skodas before either, but it seems like an unlikely coincidence that a brand new unit would work fine until straight after it's washed for the first time 🤷‍♂️

 

Too true. Or it might have just failed very prematurely. Did you speak to Autodoc and tell them it's failed?