Mend > Cars

Vauxhall Signum boot/tailgate lock pops?

When I try to unlock all locks using the key fob all door locks open but the tailgate pops. By this I mean that the boot opens slightly. Not enough to open the boot but open enough that you have to climb in through the back door to insert the key on the lock on the insde of the tailgate then push the tailgate up. As the tailgate is so heavy it takes two people.
My local vauxhall dealership has advised me that it needs the magnets cleaning and is a long job to get to them making it very costly. I would like to have a go myself so would appreciate any advice available.

K Coulson
July 2009

Vauxhall Vauxhall Signum Vehicles, Cars Vauxhall Locks Key

I would love pics please, just got inside before it started to rain. Lets hope it stays dry over weekend so I can fix it, thank you in advance :)

tracy
February 2014

The only way to get the rubber back on is to take the boot lining off and take off the section which holds the lock. You need a philips head screwdiver, 8mm socket with an extension bar and plenty of patience. The main problem, needs cleaning, and it wears a groove in the plastic. Ive taken mine off twice in 18 months, and i cant seem to get a new replacement anywhere. A replacement from a breakers/ parts finder on the net is roughly £50, which is a rip off, no guarantee that it will happen again in a week or so

Darren
April 2013

I am having the same problem on my 03 signum. anyone have photo's on taking apart the lock etc

Dave Stather
June 2012

2 days from buying an 07 and i get dodgy boot lock and now i read this lot.!!!
i found no magnets in anything i took apart
answer.... yes pull the rubber off the handle area to get into the boot (or thump the area above lock mine worked this way), push micro switch behind metal flap boot will open, mine was full of water too.
After taking the switch/lock out, i can see you will NEVER get the rubber cover back properly on unless you take it off the car, (there is 2 little bits of the rubber that act as a spring to pull the metal plate off the switch!!!!)
BUT you will need to open and take the back off the hatch to put it back on so be prepared to spend 1-2 hours doing so. but it is easy and easily accessible
tools- sharp knife torx25 8mm socket+extension and common sense. anymore help than this post a reply and i'll see what i can do :-)

Pete
October 2011

Hi, I have the same problem with an 04 Signum! Please could you post the pics/tutorial?!

Thanks a million,

Phil

Phil Jones
April 2011

Please post the pics and tutorial....I have the same issue! Thanks

Colin W
March 2011

Can you please post photos as I am having the same problem with my 04 signum. Also a quick presie of what to take off and anything to avoid taking apart and put back together, Thanks

Ian
July 2010

Hi, we have exactly the same problem, how annoying is it. Any answers/pictures as to how to fix it would be much appreciated.

Claire

Claire Carroll
June 2010

Howard

I'm having the same problem with the tailgate not opening fully. Would appreciate any information (photos of how to remove the inside panels so I can get at the lock)

Charlie
May 2010

Howard,

Can you please post photos as I am having the same problem with my 03 signum. Also a quick presie of what to take off and anything to avoid taking apart and put back together, Thanks

David
February 2010

Hi my 03 plate Signum boot doesnt open please help?, it often clicks up but cant open it?.

Paul Marsden
January 2010

This is a mesage for Howard who has photgraphs of a fix for this problem. My Signum tailgate has started playing up today so if you could post any information regarding the fix I would be most greatfull. Thanks

Steve
January 2010

Howard,

I'm also having trouble replacing the latch seal on my Signum tailgate. I would very much appreciate those pictures if possible.

Nic
January 2010

Hi there... am having the same problem with my signum. Would appreciate the pictures of how to sort it. Thanks

Stuart Cheetham
December 2009

I have just done the same as you Patrick for the same problem.
The reason the boot pops a bit when you unlock the car is that the mechanism that activates the microswitch is jammed shut and (as you say) the spring loaded ball bearing needs a good clean and oil.
However I have also solved the putting it back together problem. It took a while and a little bit of bravery but I now have a set of photos of the process involving removing the interior panel from the boot.
It just needs a bit of time (about an hour) a size 25 torx bit and a 8mm socket..

THis is some months later so i'll only post if you or someone else still has the prolem

Howard
November 2009

Hi,

I have same problem with my tailgate partly opening. (I push the tailgate shut and leave it) Have managed to take off rubber around the pressure pad and clean all metal and small roller on the pressure pad. The micro switch under the pressure pad works fine every time, so I'm convinced it is the metal pressure pad that causes the problem. It doesn't want to spring out every time. It seems to work ok at the moment but in my opinion needs a small spring behind pressure pad. Haven't seen any magnets though. My problem now is that I can't get the rubber seal back on and without this the pressure plate drops out so at present I'm driving around with no plate or rubber. Just using the micro switch. Any one no how to get the rubber back on?

Patrick
August 2009