Tailgate

halfnelson · Jul 29th, 2012, 19:26

Hi All,

Locked the tailgate on my 245dl the other day and am now unable to unlock it from the outside for some reason. I can open it from the inside. Is there something in the mechanism I should look for when I take the rear panel off?

Any ideas?

Cheers

Chris

Clifford Pope · Jul 30th, 2012, 11:13

It's a common occurence, and happens because the remote locking plunger stays retracted.
Lift the tailgate and remove the catch cover and then the card lining.
Next to the latch is a sliding plunger operated by a rod from the locking motor.
This slides across and intercepts the button on the outside, so that pushing the button also moves the release levers. When the remote locking is activated the plunger does not move across, so the button just moves aimlessly without engaging anything.

Likely causes are either the plunger has seized up, or a wire in the hinge has broken so that the motor is isn't activated.

halfnelson · Jul 30th, 2012, 11:33

Ah, thanks for that. Makes sense. I'll check it out. TBH I didn't realise the tailgate lock was linked in with the other locks. Is it just the drivers door it's connected to?

Cheers

Chris

Beetledrive · Jul 30th, 2012, 19:19

Does a 1976 DL model have central locking? I don't recall our '79 having it, and remember being impressed that the '85 that replaced it did have central locking (this was a long time ago though)

Beetledrive · Jul 30th, 2012, 19:29

Having thought about it I'm pretty sure I remember having to push down the lock on the rear passenger door before I shut it on my thumb and tried to walk away with it still trapped inside. This is the reason I now have one slightly shorter than the other

Angie · Jul 30th, 2012, 22:12

Try pulling back on the release button then turning the key. The button doesn't seem to move at all yet pulling back on it somehow allows the key to turn. That was our experience anyway, before the wiring harnesses were replaced. Now that the central locking is working there doesn't seem to be a problem with the key lock.

halfnelson · Aug 3rd, 2012, 10:40

Thanks for the ideas - I'm going to have a crack at it this weekend.

Cheers

Chris

Jul 29th, 2012, 19:26	#1
halfnelson Member Last Online: May 16th, 2024 15:03 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TRURO	Tailgate Hi All, Locked the tailgate on my 245dl the other day and am now unable to unlock it from the outside for some reason. I can open it from the inside. Is there something in the mechanism I should look for when I take the rear panel off? Any ideas? Cheers Chris __________________ 1976 245 DL Brooklands Green - sold 1992 240 Torslanda Red

Jul 30th, 2012, 11:33	#3
halfnelson Member Last Online: May 16th, 2024 15:03 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TRURO	Ah, thanks for that. Makes sense. I'll check it out. TBH I didn't realise the tailgate lock was linked in with the other locks. Is it just the drivers door it's connected to? Cheers Chris __________________ 1976 245 DL Brooklands Green - sold 1992 240 Torslanda Red

Aug 3rd, 2012, 10:40	#7
halfnelson Member Last Online: May 16th, 2024 15:03 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TRURO	Thanks for the ideas - I'm going to have a crack at it this weekend. Cheers Chris __________________ 1976 245 DL Brooklands Green - sold 1992 240 Torslanda Red

Jul 30th, 2012, 11:13	#2
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Yesterday 15:38 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	It's a common occurence, and happens because the remote locking plunger stays retracted. Lift the tailgate and remove the catch cover and then the card lining. Next to the latch is a sliding plunger operated by a rod from the locking motor. This slides across and intercepts the button on the outside, so that pushing the button also moves the release levers. When the remote locking is activated the plunger does not move across, so the button just moves aimlessly without engaging anything. Likely causes are either the plunger has seized up, or a wire in the hinge has broken so that the motor is isn't activated.

Jul 30th, 2012, 19:19	#4
Beetledrive Member Last Online: May 5th, 2019 21:07 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norwich	Does a 1976 DL model have central locking? I don't recall our '79 having it, and remember being impressed that the '85 that replaced it did have central locking (this was a long time ago though)

Jul 30th, 2012, 19:29	#5
Beetledrive Member Last Online: May 5th, 2019 21:07 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norwich	Having thought about it I'm pretty sure I remember having to push down the lock on the rear passenger door before I shut it on my thumb and tried to walk away with it still trapped inside. This is the reason I now have one slightly shorter than the other

Jul 30th, 2012, 22:12	#6
Angie Premier Member Last Online: Jun 12th, 2024 22:53 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lostwithiel	Try pulling back on the release button then turning the key. The button doesn't seem to move at all yet pulling back on it somehow allows the key to turn. That was our experience anyway, before the wiring harnesses were replaced. Now that the central locking is working there doesn't seem to be a problem with the key lock.

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