V70 - "Tailgate Open" - flummoxed

VivaLaVolvo · Jan 22nd, 2015, 14:29

Afternoon all.

Cleaning the car this afternoon and I notice my tailgate trim was loose. So, like that little but of ripped wallpaper that ends up being and entire stripped wall I decided to investigate the loose trim. Then decided whilst investigating I'd also investigate the Tailgate Latch as I get the tailgate open message in my DIM.

So, stripped it all down, lock off, lock apart and check the micro switch. Seems to be operating fine. So decide to bridge the two wires to see what happens - nothing. tailgate Open message still appears. Bridging the two wires would have the exact same effect as operating the switch so I'm stuck!

There must be a break elsewhere. I've traced the wiring back around the tailgate and through into the bodywork by the hinge (which is where you'd usually expect it to need attention) and it's all fine!

I can't find my Multi meter so have given up investigating for the day but will investigate further when I find my Multi meter. In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas as to where else the fault may lie?

It really should have been a simple replace lock job but nope, no such luck!

On a side note, my rear wiper doesn't work either. No sound from the motor so I don't think it's the motor (again, not being able to find my Multi meter doesn't help!). I've put it down to the fact that the car thinks the tailgate is open and therefore won't engage the rear wiper but I can't be sure.

Regards

Andy

Chris_Rogers · Jan 22nd, 2015, 14:43

From memory it's the purple wire that carries the 'open' signal.

I found that, although the wire insulation looks OK, the conductor can be broken inside.

Try pulling the wire apart along it's length, this should reveal if the conductor is broken.

outnumbered · Jan 22nd, 2015, 14:52

Sparky where i worked last, if a car came in or wagon for a electric fault he used to pull the wires if it came apart he found the fault .

mike

Theeggman · Jan 22nd, 2015, 15:10

IF the tailgate of a V70 is the same as a XC70 the first place I'd pull the wires is in the bundle of wire attached to the n/s hinge behind a clip on cap.
That's where 4 wires on mine had parted.

Tim.

P.S. IF my surmise is correct you may be able to rectify your wiper issue as well in one swell foop. My breaks are about 3/4 of the way from tailgate to car roof. Good luck.

Symes · Jan 22nd, 2015, 19:46

Like Eggman, I would bet on a break or two, or four in the loom where it flexes at the hinge.
You need to pull back the 'sock' so that you can get a good look, and as you obviously know a multimeter will be able to check the end to end continuity and narrow down the culprit(s)!

VivaLaVolvo · Jan 22nd, 2015, 21:35

Cheers folks,

I've had a good look at all the wires and they all look intact. I've not been able to pull the "sock" back much though.

Are we saying that even though the insulation is intact, the conductors inside might be broken?

What's confusing me is that everything looks normal. There's nothing out of the ordinary and everything I thought it could be actually doesn't seem to be!

I'll find my multi meter and do some continuity checking.

Thanks for the replies.

Regards

Andy

P.S it's a pink wire to the connector. That's pretty close to purple. There's a brown wire too but that only goes as far as a spade connector on the rear window demister. Thinking about it - I can't remember when this error message first appeared but I did have the rear screen replaced a good while ago after the wife smashed it by closing the tailgate on something. My first port of call with the multi meter will be to check that earth point works!

Theeggman · Jan 23rd, 2015, 08:25

[QUOTE=VivaLaVolvo;1833121]Cheers folks,

I've had a good look at all the wires and they all look intact. I've not been able to pull the "sock" back much though.

Are we saying that even though the insulation is intact, the conductors inside might be broken?

What's confusing me is that everything looks normal. There's nothing out of the ordinary and everything I thought it could be actually doesn't seem to be!

Yes we are saying that wires will look normal but the conductors will be broken inside insulation that looks normal. If you grasp the wire/s at each end and give a pull if the conductor is broken you should feel the insulation stretch a bit.

You may need to cut the sock to gain access, a turn of tape afterwards will rectify the sock.

Tim.

VivaLaVolvo · Jan 23rd, 2015, 11:24

Cheers.

I didn't really want to cut the sock open if possible but needs must I guess!

As you say, it can always be taped up anyway.

I'll have a go at it with a multimeter first though and then look further depending on what I find.

Regards

Andy

Jetmech · Jan 23rd, 2015, 17:22

It looks as if I managed to push the sock along the loom once the tape was unwrapped. It was a while ago so I am not sure.

VivaLaVolvo · Jan 23rd, 2015, 18:20

Is that how the wires were under the sock when you first pushed it back?

They're goosed!

Jan 22nd, 2015, 14:29	#1
VivaLaVolvo Senior Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2020 08:18 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cheshire	V70 - "Tailgate Open" - flummoxed Afternoon all. Cleaning the car this afternoon and I notice my tailgate trim was loose. So, like that little but of ripped wallpaper that ends up being and entire stripped wall I decided to investigate the loose trim. Then decided whilst investigating I'd also investigate the Tailgate Latch as I get the tailgate open message in my DIM. So, stripped it all down, lock off, lock apart and check the micro switch. Seems to be operating fine. So decide to bridge the two wires to see what happens - nothing. tailgate Open message still appears. Bridging the two wires would have the exact same effect as operating the switch so I'm stuck! There must be a break elsewhere. I've traced the wiring back around the tailgate and through into the bodywork by the hinge (which is where you'd usually expect it to need attention) and it's all fine! I can't find my Multi meter so have given up investigating for the day but will investigate further when I find my Multi meter. In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas as to where else the fault may lie? It really should have been a simple replace lock job but nope, no such luck! On a side note, my rear wiper doesn't work either. No sound from the motor so I don't think it's the motor (again, not being able to find my Multi meter doesn't help!). I've put it down to the fact that the car thinks the tailgate is open and therefore won't engage the rear wiper but I can't be sure. Regards Andy

Jan 22nd, 2015, 14:52	#3
outnumbered Lunatic from Wakefield Last Online: Apr 16th, 2023 06:33 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: wakefield	Sparky where i worked last, if a car came in or wagon for a electric fault he used to pull the wires if it came apart he found the fault . mike __________________ 2012 volvo xc90 Executive Buccaneer Bermuda 2021

Jan 22nd, 2015, 15:10	#4
Theeggman Senior Member Last Online: Aug 5th, 2019 17:22 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Okehampton	IF the tailgate of a V70 is the same as a XC70 the first place I'd pull the wires is in the bundle of wire attached to the n/s hinge behind a clip on cap. That's where 4 wires on mine had parted. Tim. P.S. IF my surmise is correct you may be able to rectify your wiper issue as well in one swell foop. My breaks are about 3/4 of the way from tailgate to car roof. Good luck. Last edited by Theeggman; Jan 22nd, 2015 at 16:13. Reason: Added PS

Jan 23rd, 2015, 17:22	#9
Jetmech Member Last Online: Mar 14th, 2024 10:43 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Haverhill Suffolk	It looks as if I managed to push the sock along the loom once the tape was unwrapped. It was a while ago so I am not sure. __________________ Simon. 2006 MY V70 SE D5 AWD 7 seat.

Jan 22nd, 2015, 14:43	#2
Chris_Rogers VOC Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2017 16:55 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: South Kent Coast	From memory it's the purple wire that carries the 'open' signal. I found that, although the wire insulation looks OK, the conductor can be broken inside. Try pulling the wire apart along it's length, this should reveal if the conductor is broken.

Jan 22nd, 2015, 19:46	#5
Symes Master Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 03:33 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Andover, Hants	Like Eggman, I would bet on a break or two, or four in the loom where it flexes at the hinge. You need to pull back the 'sock' so that you can get a good look, and as you obviously know a multimeter will be able to check the end to end continuity and narrow down the culprit(s)!

Jan 22nd, 2015, 21:35	#6
VivaLaVolvo Senior Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2020 08:18 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cheshire	Cheers folks, I've had a good look at all the wires and they all look intact. I've not been able to pull the "sock" back much though. Are we saying that even though the insulation is intact, the conductors inside might be broken? What's confusing me is that everything looks normal. There's nothing out of the ordinary and everything I thought it could be actually doesn't seem to be! I'll find my multi meter and do some continuity checking. Thanks for the replies. Regards Andy P.S it's a pink wire to the connector. That's pretty close to purple. There's a brown wire too but that only goes as far as a spade connector on the rear window demister. Thinking about it - I can't remember when this error message first appeared but I did have the rear screen replaced a good while ago after the wife smashed it by closing the tailgate on something. My first port of call with the multi meter will be to check that earth point works!

Jan 23rd, 2015, 08:25	#7
Theeggman Senior Member Last Online: Aug 5th, 2019 17:22 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Okehampton	[QUOTE=VivaLaVolvo;1833121]Cheers folks, I've had a good look at all the wires and they all look intact. I've not been able to pull the "sock" back much though. Are we saying that even though the insulation is intact, the conductors inside might be broken? What's confusing me is that everything looks normal. There's nothing out of the ordinary and everything I thought it could be actually doesn't seem to be! Yes we are saying that wires will look normal but the conductors will be broken inside insulation that looks normal. If you grasp the wire/s at each end and give a pull if the conductor is broken you should feel the insulation stretch a bit. You may need to cut the sock to gain access, a turn of tape afterwards will rectify the sock. Tim.

Jan 23rd, 2015, 11:24	#8
VivaLaVolvo Senior Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2020 08:18 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cheshire	Cheers. I didn't really want to cut the sock open if possible but needs must I guess! As you say, it can always be taped up anyway. I'll have a go at it with a multimeter first though and then look further depending on what I find. Regards Andy

Jan 23rd, 2015, 18:20	#10
VivaLaVolvo Senior Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2020 08:18 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cheshire	Is that how the wires were under the sock when you first pushed it back? They're goosed!

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