Fiat 500 boot catch

dancing_star

I have a Fiat 500 POP
Boot catch is not working - my bloke thinks the spring might have gone. Can eventually open it after pressing multiple times and yanking.
Anyone know if it's an easy enough DIY to replace if I get the right part? I know a good garage but a lot of things have gone bang at once and I'd rather keep costs down where possible.

facade

Is it a stupid electrical one, where they replaced a reliable mechanical linkage that never fails with a switch?

The switch often fails, they are cheap, available everywhere and youtube has videos of how to change it.

The wires that go into the bootlid sometimes break where they bend when the lid opens

It could be the latch itself, again youtube is your friend..

Goudy

There is a well known problem the 500's suffer from with the wiring to the tailgate.
It effects the numberplate lights, rear wiper/washer, rear dimister and the electic tailgate release.

The wiring loom to the tailgate are routed through the top. left hand end of the tailgate and over time, with the tailgate going up and down, the wires start to break up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X_ajBQudZs

There is a part from Fiat that repairs this part of the broken loom.
https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Product&ProdID=20441

So before you condemn the lock it's worth checking the wiring and all the other electrics on the tailgate work.

facade

Goudy said:

There is a well known problem the 500's suffer from with the wiring to the tailgate.

That's not a very good design! On my Renault Nissan, the hair thin wires break immediately, and every single one is plain white. Oh what fun it is fixing it if more than 1 snap

It is part of the rear loom which joins at the driver's seat too, so no easy swapping it out.

I only open the boot if I have to transport a washing machine or I need the spare wheel, I normally just load everything on the back seats

dancing_star

facade said:

Is it a stupid electrical one, where they replaced a reliable mechanical linkage that never fails with a switch?

The switch often fails, they are cheap, available everywhere and youtube has videos of how to change it.

The wires that go into the bootlid sometimes break where they bend when the lid opens

It could be the latch itself, again youtube is your friend..

errrrm, how would I find out if it's a stupid electrical one? sorry for being thick

facade

I don't know.  On my Renault Nissan it is obvious that you are pressing a tiny button not working a proper catch.

Possibly all 500s have an electric one, but I don't know for sure. 

Most likely it is electrical, a mechanical one probably wouldn't have broken

dancing_star

ahh, yes it is a little button under a rubber cover thing. I'll do some research. thanks!

Goudy

The button on the tailgate lock isn't a mechanical one.
It's a small electrical switch that located under the plinth that's over the top edge of the number plate.

It's the same deal as your electric windows, the switch on the dash operates the motors that wind the windows up and down, just with the tailagte the switch in the handlle operates a solenoid in the lock.

This switch makes a circuit to the lock which causes it to open.

The switch or lock could have failed, but what is more likely is the power to them has fractured in the bundle of wires that is on the top left of the open tailgate.

First, check all the other electrical items on the tailgate.
Does the numberplate light work, does the rear wiper/washer work, does the rear demister work?

If they don't it's almost certain it's the wiring up in the corner.

If they all work but not the tailagte release, you really need the continuity of that circuit checking with a voltmeter.
If there's no power to the lock with the switch operated, it's either a power supply or switch problem.
If there's no power to the switch, it's a power supply problem.
If there's power to the switch and not the lock (when the switch is operated) it's the switch.

dancing_star

Goudy said:

The button on the tailgate lock isn't a mechanical one.
It's a small electrical switch that located under the plinth that's over the top edge of the number plate.

It's the same deal as your electric windows, the switch on the dash operates the motors that wind the windows up and down, just with the tailagte the switch in the handlle operates a solenoid in the lock.

This switch makes a circuit to the lock which causes it to open.

The switch or lock could have failed, but what is more likely is the power to them has fractured in the bundle of wires that is on the top left of the open tailgate.

First, check all the other electrical items on the tailgate.
Does the numberplate light work, does the rear wiper/washer work, does the rear demister work?

If they don't it's almost certain it's the wiring up in the corner.

If they all work but not the tailagte release, you really need the continuity of that circuit checking with a voltmeter.
If there's no power to the lock with the switch operated, it's either a power supply or switch problem.
If there's no power to the switch, it's a power supply problem.
If there's power to the switch and not the lock (when the switch is operated) it's the switch.

Oh thank you! Just the sort of idiot proof explanation I need.

OK so I haven't checked the rear numberplate light but i know the demister and rear wiper/washer work as I used them yesterday. 

My partner has a voltmeter, I will get him to fetch it. Now I just need to know how to access the wiring/circuit. I can see the picture above you posted but when you say 'tailgate' err I need a Mickey Mouse guide to exactly what bits to look at/how to remove. I am actually OK with fixing stuff when I know how to do it, it's just the unfamiliar and the terminology gets me. 

Goudy

Ok, your best bet is to head over to 
https://www.fiatforum.com/
and register for an account (it's free) and post in the 500 (2007+) section.

The users on the Fiat Forum are very knowledgeable, friendly and will be far more specific that I can be.
They will know exactly what and how to check and would probably have guides or older posts with the how too's.

I don't doubt they will point you in the same direction as me, but they have worked on this model, mine got stolen before I even opened the bonnet!

dancing_star

Goudy said:

Ok, your best bet is to head over to 
https://www.fiatforum.com/
and register for an account (it's free) and post in the 500 (2007+) section.

The users on the Fiat Forum are very knowledgeable, friendly and will be far more specific that I can be.
They will know exactly what and how to check and would probably have guides or older posts with the how too's.

I don't doubt they will point you in the same direction as me, but they have worked on this model, mine got stolen before I even opened the bonnet!

thank you, I'll check it out

TBH I half wish someone would steal mine, I hate the thing. Spent a grand on a gearbox refit and it still sticks, and I managed to yank off the door handle when it was frozen. Just too much hassle to change the blooming thing.