2014 vw polo GT blue rear hatch refuses to open

[cjb44]

As above, my wife's rear hatch will not open with the key fob, the only way is to clamber inside and use a screwdriver to open by emergency method, all other doors work OK from the fob.
I have tried lubricating and cleaning the mechanism as much as I can without dismantling the trim, but to no avail, can I assume that the motor or solenoid (if that is how it works) has failed, anyone had this happen and is it fixable with average tools. Looking at it I would also like some clues on how to remove the trim (there do not appear to be any screws) if I have to replace the motor, I am concerned that there appears to be a sensor at the top of the trim; I presume that this is to do with the central locking - correct me if I am wrong.

[anonymous-user]

cjb44 said:

As above, my wife's rear hatch will not open with the key fob, the only way is to clamber inside and use a screwdriver to open by emergency method, all other doors work OK from the fob.
I have tried lubricating and cleaning the mechanism as much as I can without dismantling the trim, but to no avail, can I assume that the motor or solenoid (if that is how it works) has failed, anyone had this happen and is it fixable with average tools. Looking at it I would also like some clues on how to remove the trim (there do not appear to be any screws) if I have to replace the motor, I am concerned that there appears to be a sensor at the top of the trim; I presume that this is to do with the central locking - correct me if I am wrong.

If you put your ear to the boot lock and try it with the key fob, can you hear anything whirring?

[cjb44]

Afraid not.

[anonymous-user]

Did it just suddenly stop working or start to make funny noises first?

[cjb44]

Just stopped working, although it did play up once before and I gave it a good clean and lubrication around the parts I could see, it then worked fine this was about four months ago.

[anonymous-user]

cjb44 said:

Just stopped working, although it did play up once before and I gave it a good clean and lubrication around the parts I could see, it then worked fine this was about four months ago.

Probably needs a new mechanism then. It may have been dodgy wiring but if you cleaned it up and it worked for a short while then I dare say then whole unit has failed.

[cjb44]

Well I have done another major clean having wrestled the trim off enough to get access. The unit has now started working again, obviously, I do not know if I have done a better job and cured the problem or if it will fail again; I will just keep my fingures crossed and hope that there will not be a next time. What I have not discovered is how the VW symbol/handle is connected to the lock, I guess it is possible that it is the handle and not the lock which is faulty. The system is that when you unlock the tailgate the lock is disabled and then when you twist the VW symbol on the pivot you can hear the motor whirr and the tailgate will lift, so in fact there are two operations to open the tailgate.
Thank you all for help and suggestions.