Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi folks. My tailgate is stuck shut on one side (opens sometimes). At first I thought it would just be a case of adjusting the pin but that didn't work. Looking down into the lock I can see that the claw like bits of the lock are sticking out a few millimetres further on the side that is sticking. So it looks like the lock itself that is the problem. I have just been through the manual and found (Vol3 Chassis Section 55) a bit about adjusting the electric tailgate unlocking cable. Can anyone confirm if this is what I should be doing to fix it? Looks like a bit of a pain in the ass.

Mike

Hi Mike, i would take them off and give them a good bath in degreaser first. Wash all the old grease out and then re grease. Set them up again and you will probably find it is much better. I have done this a couple of times before and it usually works!
Alasdair

That used to work for me too!
Fingers crossed for you..

Regards
Paul

Hi,

Mine sticks a bit on one side also, usually after I've washed the car or its rained heavily. I've found a smear of copper grease on the latch pins every month or so stops it from sticking.

Hope this helps.

Ben

Cheers guys. I am going to try and lubricate it a bit and also try loosening the bolts and adjusting the position slightly. I read another couple of forums and both said try this.

Funny none mentioned the procedure in the manual. The manual says set the lock motor to TDC and then make an adjustment to the lock. Has anyone done this?

Hi,

There is a section in the Haynes manual that covers the boot latches and alignment etc but it runs into about 3 pages!

You could try the following from an earlier post. Never tried it myself but it's supposed to work.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4794

Hope this helps.

Ben

Hi Ben. By latches, do you mean the latches that attach the tailgate to th roof?

Have just replaced the release cable after it snapped. I then had the same problem - only one side opening. I adjusted the cable using the two nuts where it goes through the mounting bracket near the motor, and the long adjuster nut behind the off-side latch. You'll see it, brass coloured.

Also a good dose of WD40 or 3-in-one helps, but don't use anything thicker - and don't put your finger in the hole to see how far the latches are moving..... it hurts

The cable isn't broken as I can see the lock moving, just seems to be sticking out more on the sticky side. Will try WD40. It will be the weekend before I get a chance to try anything else.

Mike

No. The latch pin blocks that screw into the tailgate. I've never tried this mind you. I read it in a copy of 911 & PW.

Ben

I replaced both the latches on my S2 the other day as one of the activating levers had lost the ball which attaches to the cable from the lock. Easy to fit but both sides were sticking when I opened the hatch so I did as suggested in this forum loosened the nuts from the latchs and shut the hatch then from inside the car wiggled both latches to make sure they were centered and tightened up the nuts. Now the hatch opens much easier without sticking.

The latches we ar talking about are the things attached to the boot frame where the hatch pins go into and which have the drip trays attached on the bottom, easy to adjust if the nuts have not seized up.

As I said in Praise or Grumble I got both my latches from Newcastle OPC for £48 including postage and they arrived within 3 days, much cheaper than anywhere else I have seen them.

Finally got round to fixing this after months of torment with the boot, stuffing shopping in through the passenger door. Took the latch off, tightened the plastic ball socket one turn, a bit of WD40 and replaced the latch. Sorted! Amazing how much gratification these small victories bring

is it the front thats causing problems with your tailgait? or does it happen all the time. Mines been a pain in the winter. doesnt open, and when it does it doesnt close again until it gets warmer or until i hair dry the mechanism.

lol i mean 'frost' not 'front'

It started to stick a little as the weather got colder, then the problem got worse. First try adjusting the pins a little, perhaps a half turn at a time. Screw the pin in and make it shorter if it is sticking or unscrew it and make it longer if it is not locking. You may be able to adjust the pin with your finger if not use pliers and a rag to protect the pin. If that doesn't work try the other stuff mentioned here.