Boot/tailgate won't open - handle doesn't release the latch

[benoliver999]

I can't get the tailgate handle to open the latch.

If you lock and unlock the car then pull the handle, it tries to 'grab' something, you can feel it. But it slips and lets go. Then the handle just does nothing at all until you lock/unlock again.

Very occasionally if you get it just right the handle grabs on and the boot latch opens. Maybe 1 in 20 times. If I'm parked on a hill.

Is there anything I can try before I start pulling it apart? Also, are there any gotchas I should know about before I climb in there and start trying to remove the tailgate trim?

Thanks!

[jtr rhyl]

I can't get the tailgate handle to open the latch.

If you lock and unlock the car then pull the handle, it tries to 'grab' something, you can feel it. But it slips and lets go. Then the handle just does nothing at all until you lock/unlock again.

Very occasionally if you get it just right the handle grabs on and the boot latch opens. Maybe 1 in 20 times. If I'm parked on a hill.

Is there anything I can try before I start pulling it apart? Also, are there any gotchas I should know about before I climb in there and start trying to remove the tailgate trim?

Thanks!

There is a way, but no idea, hole you put a screwdriver in. But on my Berlingo (electric switch) I did this just in case, also if in the boot, it lets you out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORxQdM-0bWU

[benoliver999]

OK I've gone in and found the issue, but not entirely fixed it. It's probably a broken spring in the mechanism.

Basically A (the boot handle) needs to hit B (the unlocking mechanism), but when the car is unlocked B isn't going all the way over. It's too loose and bouncing back past A so it behaves as if the car is locked.

Luckily this means that the mechanism does work if you turn the key and keep it held, because that forces B into the right position.

After some more googles I found someone here drilled a hole and used a spring (although the thread title seems to describe the opposite issue?). I noticed that there's a slot at point C and a hole at point D so I might try and find one that will span that far instead of trying to drill it out.

Otherwise I guess I need to find a new mechanism, or try to repair the original spring (which I can't find!)

[benoliver999]

So I tried attaching a spring to the lever, at point c, but no matter what I tried it's either too strong and holds the lock open, or it's too light and does nothing.

I wonder if perhaps the solenoid is on its way out and it's not strong enough to overcome the spring. It was pretty much the lightest tensioning spring I could find on fleabay.