Tailgate problem

[JimC]

Hi there. I'm new to the forum being the lucker owner of a Night Blue Passat V6 Highline wagon. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I love the car more every time I drive it.

It has sat nav, sunroof, reversing camera and auto-tailgate.

I'm having issues with the tailgate. It doesn't always open fully (but sometimes it does). I read the manual and pushed it all the way to the top, then pushed the door close button for 3 secs (until the hazards flashed) but it still doesn't go all the way up. I'm starting to think there might be something wrong with the mechanism.

Any thoughts welcome. Thanks.

[MJW]

Let me ask you a question. (assuming you have set it correctly).

Are you opening the tailgaite from the release switch on the drivers door? If so, I noticed that if the engine is not running & the drivers door is shut & I hit the switch & then open the drivers door the tailgate stops. I think this maybe to do with the fact that you have power to the doors until you open the drivers door.

The only other thing I noticed was that sometime when I try & open the tailgate using the FOB it either doesn't work or I here the locking mechanism unlatch but the door doesn't open but is ajar.

[Riker]

Jim, i'd think if it is not opening at a consistant or set height all of the time then there could be an issue with the mech. I set mine when I first got the car & it opens at the same height all the time no matter if I use the key fob or the in-car release on the driver door. Even on the very few occassions I have had to stop the tailgate opening to the set level due to low roof space I was in at the time it doesn't change the set height.

[JimC]

Riker, I agree. I'm opening it with the button on the tailgate itself or the key fob (never actually used the switch in the driver's door). It opens part of the way (say two thirds to three quarters) but then stops. I can still hear the mechanism working in there, but the door stops moving. Sometimes, less frequently, the door will open to its full height. Looks like it's back to the dealer.

Thanks
Jim

[EricTheViking]

I have not had any problems with the opening height so far, with the tailgate always going to full height when it opens (which is just as well, as I would bang my head on it otherwise). However, I do get the problem of when pressing the tailgate button on the key fob when the car is locked, that the tailgate unlocks but does not lift on the first attempt. I then have to press a second time for it to open. This seems to happen about 50% of the time. I will have the dealer look at it next time I'm down their way.

[Riker]

I too have found this but if I simply keep the button pressed for a second or so longer it opens. Personally, I don't think it is a problem or fault but a feature when the car is locked.

I have not had any problems with the opening height so far, with the tailgate always going to full height when it opens (which is just as well, as I would bang my head on it otherwise). However, I do get the problem of when pressing the tailgate button on the key fob when the car is locked, that the tailgate unlocks but does not lift on the first attempt. I then have to press a second time for it to open. This seems to happen about 50% of the time. I will have the dealer look at it next time I'm down their way.

[wind]

My wagon's tailgate auto-opens without a problem (only had the car 3 weeks so far and smooth sailing) and I can stop it at any point by holding it against its movement (it will resist me for a second or so then stop there), then when I press the close/open button on the tailgate it closes then when I open again it goes back to the full open (otherwise I would bash my head into it).

I too find that using the key-fob that either I have to hold the tailgate button or press/hold it a second time to get it to open. If I do this without unlocking the car doors and close the tailgate using the button, the car will auto-lock itself (flash of lights when the tailgate closes).


JimC - if it is stopping at different points when opening (and you do not power on/off, open door etc. in the middle of it), I agree with Riker that it may be a mech issue as mine has always opened to the same height when I did not interfere with it.


Speaking of tailgates . . .

One strange thing through - on my first big trip (interstate, packed car with gear, laptop etc in the back), I parked the car to have dinner and when I came back found the tail-gate open! Freaked me out until I saw that all my gear was untouched (lucky was a quiet car park with no curious passers-by with sticky fingers and it probably helped that I had parked in a darkish corner)!

After my heart stopped thumping like mad, realised that the range of the key-fob was of herioc proportions and I must have accidentally pressed/held the boot release button while having dinner and the tail-gate had opened (through at least a brick wall or two and a fair distance). So now am very careful to position the key-fob in my pocket it so that am not likely to press any buttons by accident - in fact, have become a little paranoid about it.

Did a remote distance test one day and gave up after about 30-40 meters (and still making contact with the car - kept hitting the lock button) as I had run out of line-of-sight distance where I did it and it showed no willingness to stop working. One day will have to park it in the corner of a very large car pack and keep walking until I get no reaction from the remote . . .

[MJW]

Wow. That is amazing. I don't have a hope in hell of mine operating to open the tailgate or lock/unlock at more than 20 metres max. In fact sometime by the time the tailgate opens I am actually at the car still waiting for it to full open.

Did a remote distance test one day and gave up after about 30-40 meters (and still making contact with the car - kept hitting the lock button) as I had run out of line-of-sight distance where I did it and it showed no willingness to stop working. One day will have to park it in the corner of a very large car pack and keep walking until I get no reaction from the remote . . .

[JimC]

Quick update on this thread -

I finally managed to get the car into the dealer and it turns out there is indeed a problem with the auto tailgate. Apparently it needs a new control mudule. They need to source the part (from Sydney) and it will take the entire day to install. According to the service rep, it's an unusual part to need replacement.

Good news (for me anyway) is that the work is being done under warranty.

Looking forward to have a fully functioning auto tailgate.

Cheers