C5 Estate tailgate gremlins

[wurlycorner]

A couple of days a week, the tailgate on my C5 decides to unlock itself sometimes, when I open the drivers door.
Most of the time it's ok.

Also the rear window doesn't unlock (hasn't done since I got the car). The button all feels in good nick etc but there's no action!

Any ideas on either of those?

Thanks

[myglaren]

The glass lock will have a broken wire in the loom through the nearside hinge - common problem.
My tailgate used to unlock itself in very cold weather. Never did find a cure but probably related.

[wurlycorner]

Ah right, brilliant, thanks.
Before I go digging around, is it an internal break in the wire (and if so do how do I identify which wire it is) or does it tend to be an obvious external chaffing/break?

[Stickyfinger]

With mine they were all horrid, it is more the insulation getting brittle with age and allowing in oxygen (thus the wire loosing flex) than a chaffing problem

[myglaren]

Mine was chafed. I had it repaired while having the aircon regassed, it broke again a couple of years later and I repaired and extended the wiring a bit but the following day my son smashed the tailgate in so got rid of it and bought a hatchback - regrettably. Estate much more convenient.
I'll see if I have any photo's left but don't hold your breath, could take some finding.
There is a write up on the testing and repair somewhere too.
Note that sometimes the switch can fail too.

[myglaren]

It is in this thread.
There is also a thread on the lock problem here.

[wurlycorner]

Thanks