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Strange rear hatch power lock issue
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baltik
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 4:31 pm    Post subject: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 5:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 5:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 8:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 6:18 am    Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:36 am    Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

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
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baltik
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:09 pm    Post subject: Re: Strange rear hatch power lock issue Reply with quote

Thumbs Up easy fix
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