2007 C5 Estate. Tailgate Door Will Not Open.

[cazanabe]

Hello,

I have a problem with the main tailgate not opening again. It happened a few months ago and I took it to a Citroen garage. Somehow they popped the tailgate open and found a broken wire where the wires go into the roof. They repaired the wire and all has been good until today.

I am on holiday and today the tailgate will not open. I have managed to pack up the car through the rear doors. Great fun !!!

 

Does anyone know how to get the tailgate open ( not just the glass ) ? Is there a manual switch or button to press from inside the load bay ?

 

Citroen garages are now closed for the weekend and I am worried that it may just pop open. If I could get the tailgate open myself maybe I could do a temporary repair until we get home.

 

Can someone please help?

 

Thankyou. Cazanabe.

[paul.h]

I could not find anything in our C5 handbook but usually on tailgate locks will be a small hole on the inside in which a screwdriver can be inserted to unlock the door from inside the boot.

[cazanabe]

Thanks Paul.h,

                        You are correct. There is a small round hole in the plastic cover that covers the lock. From inside the boot you can just about put a small flat screwdriver into the hole and move it around and the boot will pop open.

Having done this I now need to repair the wiring. I will always carry the screwdriver in the glovebox from now on just in case !!!

 

Many thanks for your help.

[MikeLane]

This has pappened twice in 18 months on my brother's Megane estate. In this sort of application manufacturers should use extra flexible (or superflex) multi-stranded wire.

[jdoocey]

Did you get this resolved? I have the same problem with my C4. Purchased a new lock. Fitted it, connected it up, but nothing. I'm thinking it might be an electrical fault as when we fitted the new lock it was in the 'lock' position. Central locking wouldn't 'unlock' it. We took the lock out and manually unlocked it, fitted it back in so could now shut the boot but still nothing. No 'locking/unlocking' noise when pressing CL. Has been suggested I should change the microswitch but surely that's just to release the boot from once its unlocked?? Blooming annoying. Got my MOT coming up soon so need this sorted before then.  :)

[paul.h]

This is likely to be damaged wiring between the body and tailgate, common on the C4.

[jdoocey]

Great!!! Off to the garage then I guess :( 

Thanks

[jdoocey]

Unless there's anything I can do myself in the way of checking the Loom? 

[paul.h]

Open the tailgate and pull back the rubber bellows at the top left between the door and body to check the wiring.

[jdoocey]

Thanks. I just about managed to pull the rubber end clips out but cant see anything. No slack. Looks like I'll have to cut the rubber to access the wires. 

[paul.h]

There is a picture here of what to expect if the wires are damaged https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=citroen+c4+tailgate+wiring+loom&espv=2&biw=1172&bih=879&tbm=isch&imgil=RAJVnuKW7LwetM%253A%253BCkYWjz40oTiCxM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.youtube.com%25252Fwatch%25253Fv%2525253D62rheHBvD4U&source=iu&pf=m&fir=RAJVnuKW7LwetM%253A%252CCkYWjz40oTiCxM%252C_&usg=__yqK0FT_fF-zVhSNMuxqwPl6cU1Y%3D&dpr=1&ved=0ahUKEwj_zruJz6zMAhULIMAKHWDzDVMQyjcIUg&ei=EIkfV_-GGovAgAbg5reYBQ#imgrc=RAJVnuKW7LwetM%3A

 

There was a recall of the C4 some time ago on this wiring so something you could check at a dealer.

[jdoocey]

Thanks for the video link. I did check on Citroens website for recalls. They recalled vehicles from 2005 - 2006 on the wiring loom. Mines a 2007. 

 

I did find this  

 

http://c4owners.org/plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?129241.45

 

Fifth thread down shows images of what is/is not classed as conforming. Mine is image B, which is the same as recalled ones. Do you think I could argue that with them? 

[paul.h]

You have nothing to lose by asking your dealer.

[jdoocey]

So took my car to local garage. It turned out to be the wiring...and the micro switch. Doesnt open as smoothly as it did before. Instead of the lock releasing when you press the microswitch, I sort of have to press the button and pull the boot upwards as in to force it open. hmm. On the plus side my rear demister now works thanks to the wiring repair. 

However, (nothing ever runs smoothly), I went to clear my rear windscreen with the windscreen wash, but instead of it coming out where it should do, it was coming through the small rear window and into the car????? Anyone point me in the direction of fixing this?

 

Thanks

[paul.h]

If the garage has done the repair then take it back, they have not put the rear washer jet or pipe back so it might need the door bits taking apart again. Also it sounds as if the door latch needs adjusting, again back to the garage.

[jdoocey]

Thanks. Going to pop in this afternoon and get them to rectify the issues. Fingers crossed.  :(

[arak81]

I have the same problem since yesterday.my rear wiper,lights eveeything works except boot opening. As a troubleshoot I disassembled the handle unit (where mimicro switch is) and sprayed wd40 but nothing helped.I also spoke to Citroen dealar and they also confirmed me thay my car has no outsanding Recall..So I am guessing if I change the Micro switch will it fix the problem? I couldn't get to the wiring loom and I believe there shouldn't be any problem with it as wiper and back lights are all working even boot compartment light too.

My question is can Microswitch be faulty and is it replaceable,just the switch?

My local dealer has it and it costs around £29.

[paul.h]

Before replacing the switch you can test if it is faulty by using a wire or paper clip to connect the switch wiring electrical connecter pins - if the switch is the problem then the boot will unlock, if not then the problem is elsewhere.

[arak81]

how exactly to do that?

[paul.h]

Unplug the wires from the switch, then use a bit of wire in the plug to join the 2 electric contacts together.

[arak81]

Hi paul.h

I am jist coming from Citroen nkw and they did diagnose the boot and found out that Tailgate wiring harness needs replacing. they quoted me £397 including 57.60 for the diagnostic. do you think if it can be done cheaper by other garage if I buy the part myself?

[paul.h]

Most likely the wires in the rubber tube between the tailgate and body will be broken and to fix it needs them joining together or possibly a new bit putting in. The full wiring harness would not need replacing. If you can not do this yourself then try an auto electrician and it should be nothing like the price Citroen have quoted.

[arak81]

there are not to many auto electrician who can do that job,but finally I found one and they pulled the rubber tube up and found one white loom broken,but the other part was no where to be seen..so they said this job is around 3hours to repair the loom and will cost me £180, they also suggested to get it replaced with original citroen loom as repair might not last long..can you please give me the part number so I will have a look if

I can find it cheaper.

[arak81]

Thanks. Going to pop in this afternoon and get them to rectify the issues. Fingers crossed. :(

Hi jdoocey,

 

Where did you get your tailget harness repaired or replaced, how much did it cost?

[paul.h]

If you want a complete rear harness there are different ones depending on your car VIN. To get the part number you will need to look in the Citroen parts diagrams using your VIN and then look under Electric Unit, Electrical Harnesses, Rear Harnesses, Flap Harness/Rear Hinged Door/Chest - Saloon 5 door.

 

In one of the above posts there is a link with others to how others have repaired the harness http://c4owners.org/print.php?plugin:forum.41895 and some have also moved the rear washer pipe to the other side of the door so the wires are not a tight fit in the rubber tube.