2011 Q7 Hatch Liftgate Won't Close

[Storm33]

Hello,

I did a number of searches (hatch malfunction / Liftgate malfunction / hatch issue / liftgate issue / hatch override / etc.) and didn't find threads on this matter, so I apologize if it has been covered here previously; I just didn't find the right keywords to dig it up.

My wife and I got home from the store, unloaded the groceries, and when I closed the rear hatch / liftgate, it closed and then reopened a few inches. I tried it again, same result.

I have an all-weather cargo mat in the back, so I pushed that completely out of the way, same result.

I tried pushing the weather stripping to make sure it was seated properly, still won't latch.

I checked to make sure the locking mechanism in the hatch itself wasn't blocked or stuck, seems okay.

It's Saturday, no place to take it and get it checked. We're in Michigan for Christmas, so perhaps the cold weather is a factor? We just drove up from Florida over the past few days and had no issue on the way.

I have VCDS, so I'm going to check for codes. Any advice is appreciated!

[k.sigota]

My first thing to check would be the lock latch itself. Maybe grease it up. See if the latch will operate as intended, and also make sure the bottom part (the "bar" under the chrome cover) isn't obstructed.

Hope that makes sense...

[Storm33]

My first thing to check would be the lock latch itself. Maybe grease it up. See if the latch will operate as intended, and also make sure the bottom part (the "bar" under the chrome cover) isn't obstructed.

Hope that makes sense...

Makes perfect sense; thank you. I checked the latch mechanism, and it seems to be free moving. I don't know how to check whether it's doing what it should be doing when the hatch is completely closed, but it does rotate when I apply pressure while it's open. I also pressed on the chrome cover that surrounds the locking bar, and that seems to be clear/functioning properly as well.

Thank you for your help!

I also ran autoscan on VCDS, no fault codes on trunk assembly. Not sure what to check next.

Edit: found this fix on Youtube, going to try it as well.

[k.sigota]

You should be able to remove the panels and manually cycle the lock mechanism. That might tell you whether it's binding inside or not. If it's not binding then maybe it's an electrical issue?

[Storm33]

I pulled the panel that houses the locking bar, and the spring referenced in the youtube video is intact. I used a screwdriver to simulate the locking; I'm pretty sure its the locking mechanism in the hatch door. It wouldn't hold the screwdriver in place - it just lets me pull the screwdriver back out. I'm guessing there's something inside that's supposed to catch and prevent it from backing out until it's released by the electrical component, and perhaps that part broke. I may have to replace that assembly in the hatch door.

[k.sigota]

https://parts.audiusa.com/p/audi__Q7...F9827505A.html

This part?

[Storm33]

Update - but will it be the end of the story?

I made an appointment to take it to the indy shop down the road and have them check it out and possibly swap the assembly. I drove it there, about 2 miles, and when I got out the hatch had closed itself. I opened and closed it several times and suddenly it had “fixed” itself. I’m chalking it up to the cold weather.