C5 Tailgate Unlocking it'self

[StokeMusicDude]

Over the last 4/5 weeks, my 55 plate Citroen C5 has started to unlock the tailgate as I get in or exit the car. At first, it was about 1 time in 20 . . now its nearer 19 in 20. Why has it started to do such an erratic thing!!? This is so annoying as if I forget to check the tailgate is secure, I either drive 20 yards only the have the car start bleating at me that its unlocked . . or I walk away from the car pressing lock on the remote only to find the car won't lock itself . . because the tailgate in unlocked. Grrrr. This is so unfair . . I'm somewhat disabled and repeatedly getting in and out of the car just to close the damn boot it is 1) no fun and 2) dangerous on busy roads.

What on earth is happening . . anyone any ideas?

[Hell Razor5543]

Do you mean the boot proper, or (if it an estate), the tailgate glass? If it is the latter I had this happen on my C5 Mk1 estate, and it was due to water having entered the switch and corroded it. When I replaced the switch (it should still be available for about £40) it resolved the problem.

[GiveMeABreak]

Over the last 4/5 weeks, my 55 plate Citroen C5 has started to unlock the tailgate as I get in or exit the car.
What on earth is happening . . anyone any ideas?

The boot or tailgate rubber switch that you push presses against a micro switch. With age, the spring wears, so it doesn’t spring back and rests agains the switch releasing the boot.

Some have taken it apart carefully and put a little foam in there to provide some resistance so the switch moves back away from the electroswitch.

[Paul-R]

My Mk1 C5 Estate would go through phases when this would happen. Never as high as 19/20 though and after a week or so would then go months and months before doing it again.

[Gibbo2286]

Do you mean the boot proper, or (if it an estate), the tailgate glass? If it is the latter I had this happen on my C5 Mk1 estate, and it was due to water having entered the switch and corroded it. When I replaced the switch (it should still be available for about £40) it resolved the problem.

Same as my C5 2 estate, I did mine a couple of months ago, had to replace the wiper arm on mine, it was seized on and fell apart when trying to get it off.