Rear Hatch wont open

[BCsniper]

So my B6 S4 has had this on-going issue for at least 2-3+ years. When you go to open the rear hatch, it decides to be a dick and wont open. You pull on the handle and you can hear the mechanism try to open but the latch just will not release. Every now and then it will open up, but 90% of the time, nothing. It's especially a problem if it's very hot, cold, or you are in a situation where you REALLY need it to open.

For the longest time I just assumed it was a bad latch. You can hear it trying to work, but the latch just wont release. Well the part is $100-125 and I'm super stubborn so I have put up with it so far. Well recently I finally spent the money, bought, and installed the part. Once getting everything back together I tested it and NOTHING. I still have the same problem....so $100 down the drain.

Things to note: Latch is getting power because it tries to function and every now and then will open properly. Also if you pull the emergency release cord behind the warning triangle it will open manually. Lately this has been my go-to method if I really have to use the hatch.

So Avant experts, any ideas?

[BCsniper]

.....nothing, nobody even has a guess?

I checked and there isn't even a fuse for the hatch like there is every other door

[kdaffy]

interesting...the piece that you replaced, was it just the latch or the mechanism that opens the latch (i.e. some mechanical part)...i would think since you can do the emergency release, but not normal, the machinery/mechanism (i cant think of a better work) that operates the latch is malfunctioning...

just a thought...throwing something out there as a brainstorm...

[BCsniper]

The piece I replaced was the mechanical part



New one behaves exactly as the old one did. I can even see the latch not fully releasing if I flip it closed by hand while holding the door open. I flip it closed then hit the door button and watch it stutter but not release

The manual release cord attached to that silver piece to pull the latch open

[geebus]

That's really odd. The only time I've had issues with the rear hatch is when I fried my comfort control module (twice) and most of the time I couldn't get it to open unless I climbed in the back. I wonder if it's a voltage issue. You say there's no fuse for it, so I would be interested to see what module controls it. Given my past history, I figure it would be the ccm, but there might be another one involved as well. Total guess of course.

[CharleyDeez]

i have the same problem with mine... it happens 3 or 4 times a year and it pisses me off. I think its more of a voltage issue like geebus said, it looks like the power used to open the latch and make the mechanical piece you bought open doesnt ''charge'' enough to make it work. and like you said, it happens when you REALLY need it haha

[ZERO FRAME GRAB]

Sounds like the actual latch needs to be greased, I just swapped my entire hatch for a European one and I had to reuse my own lock mechanism, wiper motor etc. when I was done reinstalling everything my latch wont slide back the right position, so when you close it the hatch wouldnt close because it was banging on the latch. Try greasing it so it can slide properly

[BCsniper]

I just bought a brand new OEM part to fix my problem, and nothing happened. I don't think the issue is lubrication. I wish it was. I tried spraying it with lube like 2 years ago, and it had no effect on it at all.

[verymickey]

my wagon just started doing this... pretty frustrating

[kneel]

Mine does this when it's warm out. In winter works fine once it warms up or direct sunlight back there it doesn't work. My 03 had a key hole if it didn't work. The 05 has nothing.


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[deanjohnson]

Is the little motor that releases the latch integrated into the latch part you posted, or is it separate? If the motor is a separate part, I'd guess that maybe the motor is dying and isn't providing enough torque to release the latch. If its part of the module you replaced, voltage issue sounds like a good place to start.

[earhythmic]

Lots of talk about this over in the S4 section. Typically it's the solenoid getting weak and needs replacing (the "motor"). B6 and B7s DO have a key hole next to the latch handle so you don't have to crawl into the back to use the emergency release, you just have to get on your hands and knees to see it. My S4 has been doing this forever, but due to crimped wires in the trunk. Haven't given it a second thought since I discovered the key hole.

[Toronto5.5]

You replaced the wrong part.

The part is the trunk latch actuator not the trunk latch.

here is a video of what is wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLF5lzVRWvo

[BCsniper]

Lots of talk about this over in the S4 section......... Haven't given it a second thought since I discovered the key hole.

Weird, I don't think I've really ever seen it mentioned in the B6/7 S4 section.

And I wish I could use a key to open the hatch. My S4 does not have the key hole on the hatch. My A4 Avant does, but not the S4.

You replaced the wrong part.

The part is the trunk latch actuator not the trunk latch.

here is a video of what is wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLF5lzVRWvo

Ah........thank you. I wish someone would have told me this long ago. Now I see it mentioned a bunch in the A4 section, but not the S4.

Is this the right part number for the Avant?
4B9962115C

[boarderx100]

I have a B7 A4 Avant and couldn't find the keyhole. I opened the hatch to get a good look and didn't see one..

[xxshor7yxx]

i had the same problem on my b6 s4 avant, first i changed the trunk latch and still had the problem so i changed the trunk actuator and finally i have a working trunk. hope that helps. idk why but mine doesn't have a key fob to open from the outside i actually had to open it from the inside