Tailgate Wont Open!

[maverickinaction]

Hi, in need of some help please.

 

Cant get the tailgate to open with the handle on my 51 C5 estate. I can release it if i crawl in the back and manually do it, but from the outside it just wont budge.

Also how do i get the internal cover off the tailgate. I have taken out all of the studs around the edge, but cant seem to find a way to get the two grip handles off. I have tried to lever the black studs but i have just broken one, there must be an easy way to do it??

 

Cheers

[old'uns]

I have taken out all of the studs around the edge, but cant seem to find a way to get the two grip handles off. I have tried to lever the black studs but i have just broken one, there must be an easy way to do it??

 

Cheers

 

from memory i think you push the cover towards the top of tailgate, the 2 handles are integral part of cover & 'clip' or hook into slots in metal skin

[old'uns]

'kin computer timeouts!

[maverickinaction]

from memory i think you push the cover towards the top of tailgate, the 2 handles are integral part of cover & 'clip' or hook into slots in metal skin

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Old uns.............Got the cover off at last, thanks for advice.

 

Still cant get the handle to open the door. Have taken off the lock mechanism and it seems fine manually so looks like a problem from the tailgate handle to the actual lock, electrical? switch?

 

Couldnt work out a way to have a look at the actual switch on the handle of the tailgate, any ideas what to do next?

[old'uns]

again from memory.. was on holiday at time, oh what fun going into car factors, pidgin french asking for hex keys to then find out i needed torx :angry:

 

think it's linked by metal rods with cranked ends & plastic clips.

unsure what my problem was, 3 yrs ago, got a feeling the latch wasn't opening using handle so took apart & put back together, no probs since.

[Guest JasonM]

I had the same problem with my tailgate. I found two broken wires in the flexible conduit linking the door to the car, it is worth checking to see if the same thing has happened to you.

Cheers, Jason

[myglaren]

Can you hear the lock engage/disengage when you use the plipper?

First step in the diagnostic process.

As Jason says, it is fairly likely to be a break in the supply wires.

[barose]

I have removed the covers of the tailgate on my '05 C5 Tourer. Managed to remove the catch and checked the voltage on the brown wire to the green wire. Firstly I got around 5.5 volts then with the door open it went to 7 volts and with the engine running 9 volts. This seemed really weird. Pressing the actuator handle made no difference. Any suggestions. The rear window doesn't open either. Sounds like a bad contact somewhere but I wouldn't know where to start.

[paul.h]

You have not said, but I am guessing you have a problem and possibly the tailgate does not unlock when you use the switch above the number plate.

 

You might have a damaged wire in the wiring between the body and tailgate - if some of the wires in a cable are broken it may be restricting the voltage so you are not getting 12 volts. Could also be a bad earth. Also check the battery just to confirm you have about 12.5 volts there and about 14 volts with the engine running. It could also be the switch needs an internal clean or replacing if the internal contacts are not good - a way to check this is to bridge across the switch wiring connector and see if the lock opens. All the switch does is earth the supply wire from the bsi and the bsi then puts 12 volts to the lock motor.

 

The tailgate window not opening is a common fault on the 2001 to 2008 C5 estate. This is from the Common Problems topic:

42. Estate tailgate window does not open or opens on its own when not wanted.

This topic contains a fix so it will open. Citroen can supply a repair kit for about �15, part no. 653898. http://www.citroen-o...te-rear-screen/

This topic includes some photos and a fix to stop the window opening on its own (disconnect the solenoid) http://www.citroen-o...ow-opening-fix/