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baltik Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015 Posts: 443
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 4:31 pm Post subject: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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Trying to sort out some weird power lock behavior.
Basically my rear hatch only opens if I lock all doors and open the rear hatch with a key
It never opens using the button alone and it can’t be opened if the doors are unlocked. I must take the key out of the ignition, lock all doors and insert the key into the hatch to open it each time…
Any ideas? |
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do.dah Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015 Posts: 795 Location: Washington
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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The thing to remember here, is that the slider and rear hatch are slaves to the front doors.
My very limited experience, is that since the fronts and slider get used much more than the hatch, odds are good that your issue is actually there, with the driver door being most suspect more than the others.
The connectors for the locks in the front are exposed to moisture. Disconnect, clean and apply anti-oxident grease.
The wires that go thru the front doors into the body are both under-sized and barely long enough. They break from the flexing and being stretched from opening the doors. Check them. If one or more are broken, splice in heavier, longer splices into ALL the lock wires there! Not doing so, you will be back in there to do the rest sooner than later!!
To try and isolate your problem child, disconnect one of the front locks, then try operating the locks. Reconnect it and repeat with the other side.
Any difference between sides? |
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wesitarz Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 1731 Location: Victoria,B.C.Canada
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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Check for power to the sliding door and rear hatch locks at the connector located behind the glove box as you operate the front door masters to open and lock. |
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syncrodoka Samba Member

Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12300 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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Did it ever work?
Does the actuator get power?
Is the lock linkage that slides lubricated?
Is the linkage from the actuator intact?
Does the actuator cycle?
Do you have the rear lock in the correct position? |
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wesitarz Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 1731 Location: Victoria,B.C.Canada
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 6:18 am Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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syncrodoka wrote: |
Did it ever work?
Does the actuator get power?
Is the lock linkage that slides lubricated?
Is the linkage from the actuator intact?
Does the actuator cycle?
Do you have the rear lock in the correct position? |
Pic of the key positions here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7944089 |
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16CVs Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4233 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:36 am Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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Those deck lid locks are finicky, at a minimum pull the panel and lubricate it. As mentioned make sure the actuator is good. They are available new.
Mine sticks and I find that locking and unlocking the front door a few times opens it up, be sure key is in its neutral position.
Used to be the vendors sold replacements, that’s dried up now.
Stacy _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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baltik Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015 Posts: 443
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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Ughhhhh
And here I thought that in 14 years of van ownership I knew alll the obvious things like key positions, but alas. Feeling stupid but glad I don’t have to pull the panel and break any clips |
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syncrodoka Samba Member

Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12300 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:09 pm Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue |
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easy fix |
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