2001 Xsara 1.9D van Trunk Lid Locking Mechanism with Alzheimer´s

[Ricardo]

Depending on the weather and other conditions, the locking mechanism of the trunk lid acts up.

After being out in the rain, as soon as I get in and start the engine, the trunk lid unlocks.

Sometimes, usually in dry weather, the locking mechanism does not grab the metal loop (does not lock). One way of getting around this is to slam the trunk lid (a few times) with enough force until it closes. However, one has to be careful not to break the rear glass and everything else.

In other times, the locking mechanism just keeps flickering on and off.

I have checked the wiring loom around the lid, and did not find any damage to it. A local auto electrician cound not find any damage as well and suggested a new CDI.

What I can say it that the car was involved, surely, on an accident as the slightly-different color/clearcoat on the front left fender and missing parts from the interior of the driver´s door attest.

Any advice on what could be the cause? Thanks!

[Hell Razor5543]

I would check the loop hasp on the lower lip of the boot. On my BX the boot sometimes would play up (not closing). It turned out one of the nuts or bolts was slightly loose, which allowed it to move. This meant that, on occasion, the lid could not catch.

There may also be a plunger switch in the hasp area that registers when the boot is closed. On my previous car (silver Xantia) this was broken, so the central locking had issues. I was able to get a replacement unit from a forum member, which resolved the locking problem.

[Gibbo2286]

I just posted a response to this and it's disappeared into the mist.

[myglaren]

I would check the loop hasp on the lower lip of the boot. On my BX the boot sometimes would play up (not closing). It turned out one of the nuts or bolts was slightly loose, which allowed it to move. This meant that, on occasion, the lid could not catch.

Had this on the C5. One of the bolts is missing but the remaining one seems to keep it tight.

[Ricardo]

Problem solved: the plastic cover on the trunk lid switch was a bit warped and was pushing up (slightly) the switch. I guess the Portuguese sun/weather took its toll.

[Ricardo]

Almost forgot...

Yesterday, I tried to open the lid, and nothing.

Earlier, I had left the car open (for a couple of hours), with the key on the battery position.

The car runs fine and the battery is well too. When I press the trunk switch, I hear a clicking sound from the driver´s area. What is going on?

[GiveMeABreak]

That's probably economy mode kicking in as you have had the ignition on for a certain amount of time - you'll only generally get back accessory time for half the amount of the next continuous trip up to a 30 mins max.

The clicking in the front is probably the relays switching on / off.

[Ricardo]

Problem solved!

After a couple of hours of disconnecting, connecting, unbolting and bolting parts, the problem was down to a cut gray wire (thicker one) inside that rubber housing by the trunk lid hinge.