False 'boot open' warning - DS5 Blue 1.6HDi 2014

[C5runner]

(Apologies for posting this by mistake into Citroen section originally, instead of here in DS section)

Hi,
Thought I would share a recent experience with a false 'boot tailgate open' warning on dashboard, on my Citroen DS5 Blue 1.6HDi 2014.

I started getting a warning ping and message telling me the boot was open. In fact it was properly closed. The ping continued every time I started up or went below 5 miles an hour. Very very annoying. Soon after, I noticed that my rear window wiper had stopped working, and my reversing camera stopped too. Bizarrely, my reversing sensors continued to work.

I booked in with an auto-electrics garage. I then thought maybe I could try a simple fix myself. Maybe I could replace the boot locking mechanism. For what it's worth, here are my experiences with this replacement.

I sourced a second hand replacement for £22, and set about replacing it. Turned out, as always, not quite so straightforward as it seemed. You have to remove the plastic casing that surrounds the locking mech, which also runs up the sides of the boot window. Best to start at the bottom (where the locking mech is). Just a matter of pulling firmly until the underlying plastic clips ping out. This takes some force and the noise of unclipping can be alarming. I was convinced I would either break the clips or crack the covering. Neither happened. That plastic cover is very strong indeed. There are about 6 clips to be released from the bottom and sides. However, the cover will still not release - baffling at first - could there be two hidden clips (one on each side)? No. The two side prongs of plastic are in fact held in place by two screws (one each). The problem is that they are nearly invisible, being shielded by the downward plastic prongs of the upper plastic covering that runs around the other end of the boot window. With sufficient levering you should be able to spot the screws, and get a screwdriver in (at an angle) to get them out. Removing the cover then is still not easy requiring a lot of yanking. My thought at the time was, thank god that's off, only to remind myself that it somehow has to go back on again. Gulp. (The screw holes are not what you would expect, they are 'slots' in a sort of rubber plug - see photos attached). The photos are not great, but if you enlarge on the screen you should be able to make sense of them.

Removing the lock mech was simply a matter of unscrewing 2 screws and pressing inwards two plastic tabs. Then unclipping the wire plug. Putting the new (old) one in is is also easy. Putting the plastic cover back on was easy up until the two screws had to go back in and the plastic trim realigned. This was difficult and required a lot of painful finger heaving and pushing. This all led to a great sense of satisfaction, when boot warning disappeared and wiper and camera worked perfectly again. Hope this helps someone in the same predicament.
All the best

[PaulC5]

Thank you for posting. Initially I would have thought the problem may have been damaged wiring where it goes between the roof and tailgate so it being the door lock is something for us to be aware of.