Fiat 500 tailgate problem

[Hogweed]

Young couple I’m trying to help have a modern FIAT 500, and the tailgate unlocks using the key fob – except it doesn't. I’ve looked on various forums and read all sorts of explanations, but wondered if anybody here has direct experience of fixing one?
Her father’s a retired diesel mechanic, and has had an unsuccessful look at it – don’t know how handy he is with things like wiring.

They took it to an auto electrician, but all the time he had it, of course it worked flawlessly, then failed again a day or two later. They’re at the point of changing the car, which they really can’t afford to do, so I’d like to help if I can.

Anybody fixed one of these?

Thanks

[Catnip64]

This might be relevant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lemjJYDG0v8

[Automaton]

Deleted my post that's a better answer.
Watching on phone it's hard to tell but.. does this mean a blown number plate bulb will stop the button working?
Anyway it's probably extremely easy to repair and a lot cheaper than a new car. Good luck and good on you for helping out

[Hogweed]

Automaton said:

Deleted my post that's a better answer.
Watching on phone it's hard to tell but.. does this mean a blown number plate bulb will stop the button working?
Anyway it's probably extremely easy to repair and a lot cheaper than a new car. Good luck and good on you for helping out

Cheers don't think it can be a bulb though, as it's intermittent... I'll get a really good go at it when (!) the weather improves...

[Automaton]

don't know for 500s but in general the contact for bulbs can erode over time giving intermittent connection, it erodes on both the back of the bulb and the light cluster, happened with tail lights on my 3 series and luckily got away with just new bulbs.
Anyway, not clear if the bulb itself is part of the circuit, even if the switch is gone it looks a cheap and easy enough job with the right tools if a bit awkward access.

[c.milton]

https://youtu.be/cJVdgwhApC0

Maybe worth a look? We had a Fiat Qubo many years ago and it had the same problem: wires frayed within 8 months, rear wash/wiper and lock all fried.

Alternatively, if it is a 500 convertible, resetting the convertible roof by holding the button to open the roof all the way down, then holding the button "open" a few seconds longer; then holding it to close the roof all the way and then holding the button a few seconds longer resets the boot lock, too.

It is a "safety feature" to prevent the boot hatch opening when the roof is down, causing damage.

Good luck! Hope you get it sorted for the young couple.

[Chris32345]

Normal or convertible?


The normal ones have a habit of breaking the wiring loom running through the rubber gator into the hatch lid
So strip back the rubber and have a check

[Hogweed]

Automaton said:

Good luck and good on you for helping out

Thanks – do what I can. Now if only they’d taken my belly laugh when they said they were going to buy a Fiat as guidance…
I mean, maybe they’re fine nowadays, but I remember the 70’s very clearly

Chris32345 said:

Normal or convertible?

Normal. Well, sort of hatchback mini-SUV thingy, don’t know its precise designation as I’m nowhere near it – If I were to ask her, she’d say “Umm… it’s white?”

Chris32345 said:

The normal ones have a habit of breaking the wiring loom running through the rubber gator into the hatch lid

Yes, that’s beginning to sound likely. Would have thought her mechanic Dad would have thought of that – don’t know if he has though. And if they’re anything like my late great M3, the insulation will look perfect, with internal breakages

[Squadrone Rosso]

The wires from the body to the hatch inside the corrugated rubber cover break down.

You can buy a repair section. Unless really competent, leave it to a specialist, dealer or auto sparky. I would.

[Hogweed]

Squadrone Rosso said:

Unless really competent, leave it to a specialist, dealer or auto sparky. I would.

Yes if I identify that as the fault, I know a good auto spark - trouble was, whe he had it, it operated flawlessly all day - then it will stop working for days. Kind of sounds like a dodgy loom, doesn't it...

You don't have a link to the part do you?

Thanks

[Hogweed]

Squadrone Rosso said:

Unless really competent, leave it to a specialist, dealer or auto sparky. I would.

Yes if I identify that as the fault, I know a good auto spark - trouble was, whe he had it, it operated flawlessly all day - then it will stop working for days. Kind of sounds like a dodgy loom, doesn't it...

You don't have a link to the part do you?

Thanks

[Polly Grigora]

Repair the loom if it's broken

Cut out damaged cables at staggered points in roof and pillar, solder in and heat-shrink new cables, make sure not to make any joints within the hinged area

[Squadrone Rosso]

The wires from the body to the hatch inside the corrugated rubber cover break down.

You can buy a repair section. Unless really competent, leave it to a specialist, dealer or auto sparky. I would.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Hogweed said:

Yes if I identify that as the fault, I know a good auto spark - trouble was, whe he had it, it operated flawlessly all day - then it will stop working for days. Kind of sounds like a dodgy loom, doesn't it...

You don't have a link to the part do you?

Thanks

Here you go. The intermittent issue is common.

https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Pr...

Shop4Parts are brilliant to deal with. If you register on the FIAT forum, you’ll find a discount code too.

Before you order, just get the rubber cover removed to check the loom is dodgy.

Cheers,

Simon

[Hogweed]

That's brilliant, thanks

[Chris32345]

Hogweed said:

Yes, that’s beginning to sound likely. Would have thought her mechanic Dad would have thought of that – don’t know if he has though. And if they’re anything like my late great M3, the insulation will look perfect, with internal breakages

It is a normal 500 isn't it?

The small one and not a larger 500l or 500x?

[littleredrooster]

We had a Fiat Panda which was exactly the same. Broken wire somewhere in loom I guessed - I never did find out where, just used to lock and unlock it with the key.

[Hogweed]

Chris32345 said:

It is a normal 500 isn't it?

The small one and not a larger 500l or 500x?

Err... now that you say that, it looks like the L

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the 500 - thought there was just one FFS.

I'll ask the owner!

{edit} - just did - it's a 2016 500L

Sorry about that...

Edited by Hogweed on Saturday 5th March 17:09

[Squadrone Rosso]

Hogweed said:

Err... now that you say that, it looks like the L

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the 500 - thought there was just one FFS.

I'll ask the owner!

{edit} - just did - it's a 2016 500L

Sorry about that...

Edited by Hogweed on Saturday 5th March 17:09

That bit is for the regular 500. I’m not familiar with the L sorry.

[Chris32345]

Try removing the boot lock family member had one changed as all the connections where corroded they had the same intermittent boot lock you hear the relay click but nothing at all from the lock sometimes