Boot Lock

[robskiing]

Hi I wonder if anyone could diagnose a problem that's just developed my car is a C5 2.0 Hdi 2009 . When I unlocked the car using the remote I could not open the boot after several attempts locking unlocking it still wouldn't budge. So I looked through the cars manual and it gives the emergency procedure you have to lower the rear seat and armed with a small screwdriver and torch locate a small tab within the boot lock push the screwdriver into this and turn it to the left and hey presto the boot is open . You can lock the boot via the central locking but it won't open would it be the boot mechanism at fault or is the central locking ?

[Randombloke]

Please can you clarify if the boot fails to open on the button on the boot itself, or on the button for the boot on the remote, or both.

 

Sometimes with PSA Peugeot Citroen cars the wires from the boot button on the boot itself get fractured or broken where they pass from the tailgate into the car, but the button on the key fob will still work.

[robskiing]

Hi thanks for looking it's the button on the boot lid itself and its a 2009 saloon

[coastline taxis]

check that theres nothing jamed ito the slam plate were the boot lock latches into

[robskiing]

Thanks for the replies I've had the car twelve months I love the way it drives it has prescence on the road and always gets admiring glances from other road users . There's nothing jammed in the slam plate it will lock but you can't open it with the button on the actual boot lid .

[coastline taxis]

close the the latch while leaving the boot open ( use a screwdriver and just push the latch levers ). now try to unlock the boot if it dosnt work then youve got a wireing issue or a broken boot lock

[robskiing]

Hi I've already tried that gonna get another boot mechanism there's one on eBay for 25 quid so that will narrow it down thing is I've just ordered a tow bar to be fitted next week and this happens oh well cest la vie

[robskiing]

Hi I've had the lock apart there's no plastic bits missing off the cogs do I buy a new one or would anyone know what voltage I should be getting at the three wire plug just to check the wiring

[paul.h]

If the lock works using the remote but not the boot switch, then I would think the problem is likely to be with the switch or its wiring and not the lock. If you unplug the switch electrical connector and then bridge the connector pins the boot will unlock if it is the switch but if it is a wiring problem it will not unlock. Most likely place for wiring damage is where it goes between the body and boot and wiring failure here is quite common on many Citroens.

 

The Haynes manual for the 2001 to 2008 C5 shows the boot switch justs connects the supply wire from the bsi fuse box to earth so it could be the same on your car and if so one wire should have a 12 volt supply and the other be connected to earth. The lock has its own supply from the bsi (2 wires plus an earth) but shares the switch earth point, however the lock is unlikely to have any voltage to it except when a signal is given from the bsi to unlock.

 

The switch appears to be called a handle in the parts diagrams and is part no. 6490R3 for the estate and saloon cars but you should check this using your VIN. A new one from citroencarparts.net is £8.90 but if the switch is at fault it may just need its contacts cleaning.

[robskiing]

If the lock works using the remote but not the boot switch, then I would think the problem is likely to be with the switch or its wiring and not the lock. If you unplug the switch electrical connector and then bridge the connector pins the boot will unlock if it is the switch but if it is a wiring problem it will not unlock. Most likely place for wiring damage is where it goes between the body and boot and wiring failure here is quite common on many Citroens.

 

The Haynes manual for the 2001 to 2008 C5 shows the boot switch justs connects the supply wire from the bsi fuse box to earth so it could be the same on your car and if so one wire should have a 12 volt supply and the other be connected to earth. The lock has its own supply from the bsi (2 wires plus an earth) but shares the switch earth point, however the lock is unlikely to have any voltage to it except when a signal is given from the bsi to unlock.

 

The switch appears to be called a handle in the parts diagrams and is part no. 6490R3 for the estate and saloon cars but you should check this using your VIN. A new one from citroencarparts.net is £8.90 but if the switch is at fault it may just need its contacts cleaning.

Ok thanks for the reply so in laymans terms I isolate the switch in the boot check which one is earth and then bridge out the two remaining wires it should unlock the latch on the boot mechanism . There is no 12v to the lock so that explains that forgot all about the sw on the handle that's made it a bit clearer thanks

[paul.h]

Not sure if I was clear enough but I meant to pull the electrical connector off the switch and then bridge the 2 wires in this connector (one of these 2 wires will be earth and the other a 12 volt supply). Nothing needs doing to the lock.

[robskiing]

Hi Paul I will have a go at this tomorrow aft and let you know the outcome thanks again for your input

[robskiing]

Not sure if I was clear enough but I meant to pull the electrical connector off the switch and then bridge the 2 wires in this connector (one of these 2 wires will be earth and the other a 12 volt supply). Nothing needs doing to the lock.

hi Paul I bridged the switch out nothing . Checked the switch while it was disconnected and out and done a continuity test on it got a reading so I've ordered one from my local Citroen dealer £ 35 quid so I didn't think that was too bad if that doesn't work I will give it to the dealer to have a look .

[robskiing]

 

Not sure if I was clear enough but I meant to pull the electrical connector off the switch and then bridge the 2 wires in this connector (one of these 2 wires will be earth and the other a 12 volt supply). Nothing needs doing to the lock.

hi Paul I bridged the switch out nothing . Checked the switch while it was disconnected and out and done a continuity test on it got a reading so I've ordered one from my local Citroen dealer £ 35 quid so I didn't think that was too bad if that doesn't work I will give it to the dealer to have a look .

I've ordered a new lock

[robskiing]

Hi I received the new lock from Citroen dealership in Nuneaton only 35 quid so that wasn't bad that's the good news so soon as I got home I was full of anticipation this would do it only took a few minutes to swop . Tried the remote fob nothing just the same result as before so back to the drawing board would the dealer be able to sort this out as the mot is due early sept so I could kill two birds with the same stone .

[paul.h]

Initially you said the boot would unlock using the remote but not when using the switch, so I guess now it will not unlock at all except by using something in the back of it. The next easy thing to check will be the wiring where it goes from the car body to the boot. It is common for it to become damaged here. When the switch was out did you check the earth wire continuity to the body?

 

A dealer will be able to sort the problem but you will have to pay and they may want to do a diagnostic check to make sure everything works, including the locks and ecu that controls them.

[robskiing]

I took it into Citroen to have a look . I booked it in to have a level 2 service and told them about my boot problem . There was no power to the sw or lock so they started doing continuity checks and eventually found a broke wire under the dash ? Anyway repaired the wire and all is good .

The steering developed an intermittent problem sometimes quite stiff to move when parking thought it might be low in fluid so asked them to have a look . Turned out it was leaking from the steering rack seals so told them to proceed and get the steering rack reconditioned anyway a lot better now but left with quite a hefty bill .

[paul.h]

Thanks for getting back to us. The steering rack seal failure is a common problem on the 2008 on C5 and there have been many reports of it on here. It may be worthwhile applying some grease where the column shaft joins the rack since it seems to rust and may be causing the damage/wear to the seal.

 

How much did the dealer charge to fix the steering rack, being a common problem it will be of interest to many people, existing owners and potential buyers ?

[robskiing]

Thanks for getting back to us. The steering rack seal failure is a common problem on the 2008 on C5 and there have been many reports of it on here. It may be worthwhile applying some grease where the column shaft joins the rack since it seems to rust and may be causing the damage/wear to the seal.

 

How much did the dealer charge to fix the steering rack, being a common problem it will be of interest to many people, existing owners and potential buyers ?

Hi Paul the dealer charged me 750 inclusive for the steering rack to be reconditioned and put back on the car . I could have probably got it done a bit cheaper but I'm quite busy work wise don't have the time to shop around .