Electric boot release

[GlynH]

Mine has similar symptoms.

If you just press the release it whirrs, moves slightly but stays down.

You can open it by applying a little pressure to lift the boot to get it started but then once it is up pressing the button to close it gives the same symptoms...it whirrs, moves slightly but stays in the up position this time.

I believe it had a new o/s rear boot hinge & striker fitted some time before I bought the car and I always put the fault down to it not being aligned properly as my faith in Main Dealers is less than zero.

Reading the above however it looks like it might be the motor?

A lack of starting torque might explain why it doesn't start to lift on its own from fully shut - that boot lid is heavy - but surely it would have enough torque to power it shut from an upright position? The effects of gravity should be a big help there!

Is there a check/adjustment to ensure the hinges/drive mechanism are aligned properly before I think about replacing the motor?

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[audifin]

Replying this old thread:I was able to fix mine with solder flux paste following instructions from these youtube links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G-OedMyf8o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG1v9xDpDH4

Basically if the motor is spinning but the boot lid is not moving then the clutch inside the motor is slipping. You can fix that by applying some solder flux paste on the clutch. Try applying as thinly as you can, I put too much first and had to disassemble the motor again because the clutch got totally stuck Anyway it works like a charm now and the total cost was £1.70, so I'm well happy

[Sir WIll]

My electrically opens as it should but pressing the button does nothing.

Had a look tonight and the cables and connectors all look good and there is 12v to the boot close switch.

The question is the part number is 3D0 959 831C

I can see a couple for sale but are an H suffix, would this work or do I need the C suffix?

[audifin]

Just checking... are you pressing the button long enough?

[Sir WIll]

Hours

Without doubt the button has had it, took it out the car tonight and the little zippy micro switch in it has had its day

[HPsauce]

What does it look like? (photo)

I ask because I had problems with my D2 boot due to water ingress and ended up replacing the latch mechanism due to a faulty microswitch.
The mechanisms are generally robust, but the switches are susceptible to damp (but cleanable), so I now have a couple of spare microswitches (working) that I have kept as a net result.
They may well be the same. Or is this the switch in the car?

[Sir WIll]

No camera to hand but the part of the zippy switch that is pressed by the main boot close button had worn and broken inside the switch.

Also it did look like the solder and the switch itself had been impacted by the damp and was not too ship shape.

For the sake of £20 on eBay I am happy to buy another I just wanted to ensure I grab the right flavour of switch.

[sparksuk]

Does it really work with solder flux paste ? What is the trick with that ?

[sparksuk]

I have replaced the gas struts, but i have the same problem. I have oppened the motor, i put some more grease on the gears, but no solder paste. Still doesn't work properly. I was thinking to replace the hinge too.
Any other ideas ? Apart from replacing the whole motor 😄

[ScottD3]

I greased all my hinges up about a month ago and my boot is working better.
not 100% of the time, more like 90%.

A new motor is the only sure fire way I think.