Cabrio tailgate lock failure

[Hal2]

The electric lock on my cabrio tailgate stopped working, hence I'm unable to open the gate. It was working that morning, and a few hours later it stopped. With the gate locked, there is no way to remove the inside panel to gain access to the mechanism. I wonder if a fuse has blown. Unfortunately, the owners manual does not indicate which fuse protects that circuit. Any help or advice would be most appreciated. I'd like to avoid a 150 mile roundtrip journey back to the dealer.

[jwight]

Do your horn and other locks work? Fuse 31 goes to the horn and central locking. Didn't see one for the tailgate at:

http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php...d=353&men=info

Disclaimer: this may only be for UK 451s, I'm not sure

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by Hal2

The electric lock on my cabrio tailgate stopped working, hence I'm unable to open the gate. It was working that morning, and a few hours later it stopped. With the gate locked, there is no way to remove the inside panel to gain access to the mechanism. I wonder if a fuse has blown. Unfortunately, the owners manual does not indicate which fuse protects that circuit. Any help or advice would be most appreciated. I'd like to avoid a 150 mile roundtrip journey back to the dealer.

Double clicking the unlock button on the dash?

[GiantKiller]

Originally Posted by Hal2

The electric lock on my cabrio tailgate stopped working, hence I'm unable to open the gate. It was working that morning, and a few hours later it stopped. With the gate locked, there is no way to remove the inside panel to gain access to the mechanism. I wonder if a fuse has blown. Unfortunately, the owners manual does not indicate which fuse protects that circuit. Any help or advice would be most appreciated. I'd like to avoid a 150 mile roundtrip journey back to the dealer.

My tailgate lock was not working. Eric at smart center in milwaukee. Said it is a known problem with the cabrio. An adjustment of a leaver inside. That the micro switch was actually on. and not allowed to switch off. He adjusted it and I haven't had a problem since

[jwight]

If you disconnect the battery would that release the solenoid? If so, you could get the tailgate open and attempt the adjustment at home with a little telephone help from your smart center. Let us know what finally happens with the "known problem."

[24-42]

Originally Posted by jwight

If you disconnect the battery would that release the solenoid? If so, you could get the tailgate open and attempt the adjustment at home with a little telephone help from your smart center. Let us know what finally happens with the "known problem."

Or pull the fuse for the tailgate.

[rkracketeer]

I'm having the same problem, hopefully I can get it looked at soon. Just picked up the car a week ago, but live 120 miles from the dealer.

[dirlink]

Had an intermittent problem last night for the first time. My smart goes to the dealer tomorrow.

Also have an issue with the automatic mode on the manual transmission. It has an irritating habit of not shifting up from first gear. Even if I let off the gas slightly for a few seconds to give it a chance to shift.

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by jwight

If you disconnect the battery would that release the solenoid?

Typically, no. Solenoids only get current when they are active, otherwise there'd be a constant drain on the system.

[Hal2]

Originally Posted by Hal2

The electric lock on my cabrio tailgate stopped working, hence I'm unable to open the gate. It was working that morning, and a few hours later it stopped. With the gate locked, there is no way to remove the inside panel to gain access to the mechanism. I wonder if a fuse has blown. Unfortunately, the owners manual does not indicate which fuse protects that circuit. Any help or advice would be most appreciated. I'd like to avoid a 150 mile roundtrip journey back to the dealer.

After going through the various troubleshooting efforts, the microswitch was determined to be bad. The technician replaced the switch, and the tailgate was operational.