Urgent Help Needed please - Boot wont close

[TVR Paul]

Hey guys
I have 3 serious problems that I need resolved asap:

1. Boot will not close.. the claspy things just will not hold it closed in any way.

2. Drivers door will not open, If I use emergency release then it will not close again unless i bang real hard.

3. Dipped lights dont work, sides and main beam fine, switch seems ok.

Please please please can someone help?

Paul.

[FarmyardPants]

1. Check the catch mechanism using a screwdriver, will it grab the screwdriver? Is the catch set too low? Is the cable too tight? Is the catch being kept open by a stuck solenoid? Are the catch bolts loose?
2. Check that the 3 allen bolts that secure the catch to the car aren't loose, this will cause the symptoms you describe
3. Try unplugging the light control box(es) in the boot
For a few minutes

Good luck

[ridds]

Sounds like door control unit connector problems to me. Find your black boxes on top of the boot and check all the connections are clean.

[TVR Paul]

Hi

The catch does not try and catch the screw driver.. this was ok until the door went funny.

The connections *look* clean on the control boxes.

On the door control box there is a cable on top that has a black and red wire, can anyone tell me where they should connect in the connector as mine fell out. (new problem!)

I took the light control box apart and resoldered all the joints but made no difference =[

[TVR Paul]

What effect would a stuck solenoid cause?

Could it be stuck on the door and the boot?

Where are the solenoids?

[TVR Paul]

Hmmm I sprayed some spray grease on the door and boot locks 2 days ago... maybe this is linked?

Anyone got any ideas please?

[ridds]

For the boot, first I'd disconnect the solenoid and try the screwdriver test.

This will remove the electrics from the equation. If all is good then re-attach and try again.

[coey 4.2]

Hi, when you press the badge to open the boot can you hear the control box 'clicking'? if yes then remove the interior boot light and see if the solinoid is jammed/burnt out, it should move freely, same with the door, get someone to press the door open and listen for the relays in the control box, that solinoid is more tricky to get too but try the same thing.
If the control box is silent carefully unplug it (make a note of which plug goes where) for five minutes, reconnect and test.
My Cerb had nearly identical faults (it was a knackered control box and two burnt out soliniods)
Fairly easy to fix...
Good luck.

[thegreengoblet]

The obvious is to check all the fuses. And it may be a fuse that's isn't related!

[TVR Paul]

Hi

Ok just had a play.

Can now close the drivers door but it will not open without using lever. Using screwdriver to pretend its closed, the solenoid in the door catch seems to not be firing but relays are.

In the boot it will not hold the catch closed so the boot immediately opens again. Cannot hear a solenoid going but can hear the relays.

Any ideas? are the fuses seperate for the relays and solenoids?

Cheers

Paul (who has really cold hands now eeek!)

[TVR Paul]

I will try removing the boot solenoid tonight when I have tools.

Does anyone have a list of all the fuses and what they are for as I cannot take em all out as hands so cold!!

btw sorry for not searching elsewhere for all this, the search thingie is broken.

Paul.

[coey 4.2]

Hi Paul, i fear that your soliniod is jammed in the open position (so the soliniod is pushed out) if you remove the light and push the end of the solinoid towards the badge the boot will probably close but if the motor is burnt out you won't be able to open it again (if you know the secret way you can use that!)
Does the passenger door work? i don't think it's a fuse as the soliniods always return once pulsed by the control box (they shouldn't stay in the open position)
Hope this helps...

[TT Tim]

If it is a knackered boot lock solenoid, (I've had 2 go on me!) you can get a replacement from maplins for £9.00

Link Here. Make sure you get the 2 wire version.

HTH and Good luck

Tim

[Byker28i]

TVR Paul said:

On the door control box there is a cable on top that has a black and red wire, can anyone tell me where they should connect in the connector as mine fell out. (new problem!)

Does this help?

[TimJM]

TVR Paul said:

Hi

Ok just had a play.

Can now close the drivers door but it will not open without using lever. Using screwdriver to pretend its closed, the solenoid in the door catch seems to not be firing but relays are.

In the boot it will not hold the catch closed so the boot immediately opens again. Cannot hear a solenoid going but can hear the relays.

Any ideas? are the fuses seperate for the relays and solenoids?

Cheers

Paul (who has really cold hands now eeek!)

Oh dear - I fear you will need a new control unit. If the relays are clicking then it can't be a fuse problem as you have power. If you disconnect the control unit completely does the boot catch work with the screwdriver?

If I was you I would first remove the boot solenoid and test that it is functioning (easy job with just two screws to hold it in place - but you will need to pull the boot carpet off about where the boot open badge is). If the solenoid works then it is likely to be the control box.

I have recently had the same problem and the relays did click but nothing worked. What is worrying about your problem is the lights. This says to me you have a short that has blown the unit. You need to test all wires for voltage and amps (when motors/solenoids in use) before you connect a new unit or you risk blowing that too.

I have a list of voltages/current draw for all the connections to the door/window control unit from my car if you need something to check against.

[TimJM]

Although - do your windows work?

If so then maybe the control unit is OK?

[ajcj]

There may be a lower tech answer to the boot problem - mine did the same and when I looked at it there is a wee spring underneath the catch that pulls it all into shape. My spring had just slipped off one of its mountings, so the boot catch had no tension. Worth checking.

Doesn't explain the driver door though, so may be a red herring....

[TVR Paul]

Hey everyone, thanks for the posts and the great picture (Byker).

Im not too savvy with electrics so not sure about wiring diagrams etc.

The windows work fine, the passenger door works fine.

Could the spraying of grease onto all the door and boot joints have caused this as I did that the day before it all went wrong?!

Dont suppose anyone has or could take a wee picture of the spring on the boot catch (ajcj)?

How do you test if a solenoid works? I can take it out but does it make a noise or move or something?

Thanks again!

[coey 4.2]

Hi Paul, the motors should move back and forth freely, if they are stiff then they are no good!
I would say this is your problem as if the control box failed your windows and passenger door wouldn't work, also if you can't hear the soliniod working in the boot then it's not the spring.
I would buy two new motors (£10 approx) makr sure they are two wire not five, if you can find the cream colour motors (rather than the black) get those as they are better quality and last longer though more expensive to buy.
I have changed all the motors on mine so if you need help let me know.
Good luck.

[TVR Paul]

Thanks Coey.

In the boot I can see the solenoid, but where is the door one?

Paul.