Rear gate latch not engaging

[ovsa]

I have this problem where the tailgate closes but the latch doesn't engage and pull in the door fully and lock it . As a result anybody can come along and open it. Also tailgate lights won't work unless it is fully closed.
Have been reading that the problem might be the small sensors that are on each side of the receiving hook (mounted in behind the chrome striker plate)
I'm not sure how eveything is suppose to work, but I think the sensors tell the electric motor to engage and pull the door in.
Is there any way to test these or where to buy new ones or even the assembly. Hopefully not the dealer.
Thanks,

[ovsa]

So i had a closer look at this today, those sensors are actually micro switches.

seems when the gate comes down the center piece (male end) pushes on that chrome center plate which, i think, is suppose to trigger the micro switches.

im not sure if the chrome plate itself is suppose strike the plastic paddle which activates the switch or if the center piece of the door strikes the paddle.

I cant see what is happening there because with the door closing there is no way to look.

i think activating the two micro switches, ( one is n/o the other is n/c) in turn activates the motor which pulls the lever back thereby latching the door.

is there anyway to test that motor, it has 5 or 6 connectors , dont want to jumper the wrong ones.

[SQive]

If you manually pull the hatch down to nearly closed, which you can do without damage, can you then test the switches by hand, or perhaps screwdriver?

[ovsa]

Not really, the switches will only trigger when the gate latch is inside the receiver, by the there is no room. I would like to test the motor or actuator that pull the receiver loop in..not sure which terminals to feed 12v to.
Thanks

[ML24WA]

Bringing this back from the dead since its the closest i could find to my current issue:

Have a similar issue to OP, except my tailgate wont pull in to shut. I have to nudge it in to completely close it sometimes, or it drops the last ~100mm and slams itself shut. I can hear the motor working to try and pull the tailgate in, but it doesn't seem to do anything.

Has anyone had this issue before and how did you solve it?

I read some Q7 guys replaced latches and re-greased the insides of the latch and the motors etc. which i'm happy to try, but id rather know if there is an actual solution to this problem, rather than trying a heap of different possible fixes.

Cheers

EDIT: My curiosity got the better of me and i decided to play around in the boot just now.

I found the solution to my problem. There was a piece of gravel stuck in the mechanisms that meant it was able to latch closed, but not enough to trigger the light to go off on the dash and also pull fully closed. There was also quite a bit of beach sand and debris stuck in the latch mechanism which probably also attributed to not being able to close properly. I cleaned this out and reinstalled all of the parts and works like new. I feel like bashing my head against a wall.

[R@v3n]

Bringing this back from the dead since its the closest i could find to my current issue:

Have a similar issue to OP, except my tailgate wont pull in to shut. I have to nudge it in to completely close it sometimes, or it drops the last ~100mm and slams itself shut. I can hear the motor working to try and pull the tailgate in, but it doesn't seem to do anything.

Has anyone had this issue before and how did you solve it?

I read some Q7 guys replaced latches and re-greased the insides of the latch and the motors etc. which i'm happy to try, but id rather know if there is an actual solution to this problem, rather than trying a heap of different possible fixes.

Cheers

EDIT: My curiosity got the better of me and i decided to play around in the boot just now.

I found the solution to my problem. There was a piece of gravel stuck in the mechanisms that meant it was able to latch closed, but not enough to trigger the light to go off on the dash and also pull fully closed. There was also quite a bit of beach sand and debris stuck in the latch mechanism which probably also attributed to not being able to close properly. I cleaned this out and reinstalled all of the parts and works like new. I feel like bashing my head against a wall.

Ya, I have had this happen to me. There was loose plastic that got into the latch area and jammed it up. Removed it and it is fine. First step would be to just clean the area.