[Guide] Retrofitting an internal Tailgate release switch

[Jimmy-s3]

Nice!

 

[Spaghetti]

Yep. Blue plug in the photo in message #12 in this thread. The switch joins them together and (when the boot is shut and the van unlocked) it activates the solenoid.

You can test it by joining the two pins on the blue plug (for the outside switch) together with a paper clip when the boot is shut and it’ll pop open. It won’t open if the boot is already open, or the van is locked as it’s the same as the outside handle in operation.

 

[Spaghetti]

it’s also worth checking the circuit diagram on post #8 above to make sure you get the two switch wires the right way round.

 

[Arvey Jay]

Excellent electrical solution. I was looking for a mechanical solution so I created my own, so I have just completed a mechanical version of a release for my T5.1 which works great and costs next to nothing. After trawling the forums looking for a video fix and not finding one, I decided to make one of my own. Hope you find this useful .

 

[reganpickles]

Excellent electrical solution. I was looking for a mechanical solution so I created my own, so I have just completed a mechanical version of a release for my T5.1 which works great and costs next to nothing. After trawling the forums looking for a video fix and not finding one, I decided to make one of my own. Hope you find this useful .

That was brilliant! Nice job. Got any photos with it all back together?

 

[Arvey Jay]

That was brilliant! Nice job. Got any photos with it all back together?

Not yet. Just did this today, so I'm keeping the trim off until I carpet it, bung the grommet in etc. Happy to share once it's all done

 

[Salty Spuds]

I did something very similar to my tailgate after having problems highlighted in this thread

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/power-latching-tail-gate-problem.10526/

I used some 60lb fishing line. It all tucks away in the rear window trim when not required.

 

[Newcs]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. Just picked up an OEM tailgate from a scirocco (looks pretty much the same as the T6 one).

I’m happy with the connections into the blue plug but have a couple of queries.

Will this work without having to make amendments to the internals of the switch as above?

The switch I have has the connector already attached with the illumination wire there. Is there a feed I can pick up to have it illuminated as well?

What size wire is best to use? I intend to use wagos for the connections

Thanks in advance

 

[Tron6.1]

For anyone ordering a new panel van adding this switch is a ‘no cost’ option, there are not many free ones! Hope it helps someone

 

[adlinsell]

To make up for my idiocy on the H4 thread, I thought I'd post how I added an internal tailgate release in case it's any help to anyone else.

My tailgate has a fibreboard covering, don't know whether it was standard or whether the converters removed another panel and replaced it with this. Anyway, with that off you will see a little blue plug (unplugged in pic below). This is the two wires that need to be touched together to activate the release.View attachment 9308

I cut into each of these wires and soldered additional wires. The connections were then heatshrunk and plugged the connection back in.View attachment 9309

While I was at it, I put some Silentcoat on the inside of the hatch (took 7 sheets) as I noticed it had no insulation of any type. I also covered the back of the fibreboard with a layer of closed cell foam. I then got a boot release switch that I'd got off ebay (generic Ford switch, was about £6) and measured and cut a hole so that it would fit through the fibreboard into the top of the spaces on the inside of the hatch above. This isn't quite central but I needed the depth for the backside of the switch.View attachment 9311

Connected up the switch and put the panel back and voila, I have an internal tailgate release. View attachment 9312

It can't be knocked open by a load (not that there would be anything resting on mine anyway) as the actual microswitch is an upward press behind a membrane inside the handle.
I'm probably going to cover the fibreboard with vinyl or something and I'm going to fix hooks to it so that I can bungee traction mats and levelling ramps to it, which will fit neatly in the spaces between the tailgate and the furniture. Anyway, hope this helps, not a tricky job at all.

Great advice... followed your instructions and bam.... working interior switch. Thanks for taking the time to share