T6.1 - electric tailgate doesn’t latch every time - the dealer comment is laughable

B

BRABUS

Member
T6 Pro
Ok, yes yet another issue with this new T6.1 shuttle that we have. We have the electric tailgate option and sometime when we shut it, it doesn’t latch fully and even if we open and re shut it several times it still doesn’t latch and we have to press it shut that final 10mm or so.

BRACE YOURSELVES - when we asked the conversion specialist they told us that this is a known issue with VW vans and it is due to a voltage drop on the battery and that VW can do nothing about it. Today it did it with the engine running so there could be no possible voltage drop so I am calling UTTER BU11SH1T.

Am I right in thinking the dealer is talking nonsense? Does anyone else have this issue please?
 
BRABUS said:
Ok, yes yet another issue with this new T6.1 shuttle that we have. We have the electric tailgate option and sometime when we shut it, it doesn’t latch fully and even if we open and re shut it several times it still doesn’t latch and we have to press it shut that final 10mm or so.

BRACE YOURSELVES - when we asked the conversion specialist they told us that this is a known issue with VW vans and it is due to a voltage drop on the battery and that VW can do nothing about it. Today it did it with the engine running so there could be no possible voltage drop so I am calling UTTER BU11SH1T.

Am I right in thinking the dealer is talking nonsense? Does anyone else have this issue please?
Click to expand...
We had a similar problem that developed until we couldn't get the tailgate open. It turned out to be the micro switch in the door handle mechanism. VW wouldn't cover it as they blamed it on condensation due to the van being converted & slept in, despite this, they changed the high level brake light "as a precaution" Hmmm! At the same time, the number plate lights failed due to corrosion. I ended up changing the number plate lights & latch mechanism meself. A pretty simple job & the bits cost around £100 from TPS. I made sure that the electrical connections were all sealed with silicone grease. No problems since & that's after 3 years of being "Slept in".
 
BRABUS said:
Ok, yes yet another issue with this new T6.1 shuttle that we have. We have the electric tailgate option and sometime when we shut it, it doesn’t latch fully and even if we open and re shut it several times it still doesn’t latch and we have to press it shut that final 10mm or so.

BRACE YOURSELVES - when we asked the conversion specialist they told us that this is a known issue with VW vans and it is due to a voltage drop on the battery and that VW can do nothing about it. Today it did it with the engine running so there could be no possible voltage drop so I am calling UTTER BU11SH1T.

Am I right in thinking the dealer is talking nonsense? Does anyone else have this issue please?
Click to expand...
Hi mate,

I have the same issue. Seems to be intermittent on mine though. Will be watching this following this post though. Mine's going for a service in a month so will ask and see what they come back at say....
 
Roberts83 said:
Hi mate,

I have the same issue. Seems to be intermittent on mine though. Will be watching this following this post though. Mine's going for a service in a month so will ask and see what they come back at say....
Click to expand...
please come back and tell me how you get on when you ask at service. Ours is a long way off that as it is only 1 week old.
 
Mine did exactly the same. 1st dealer visit didn't solve it, then I took a video of it happening and sent it the dealer. 2nd visit has done the job. It was something to do with the latch attached to the van near the bumper...not the tailgate. The latch pulls the tailgate tight and this wasn't happening. All done now though.
 
(
Dannyb6467 said:
Mine did exactly the same. 1st dealer visit didn't solve it, then I took a video of it happening and sent it the dealer. 2nd visit has done the job. It was something to do with the latch attached to the van near the bumper...not the tailgate. The latch pulls the tailgate tight and this wasn't happening. All done now though.
Click to expand...
Thank you that is really helpful info.
 
Hi There,
Apologies don’t spend loads of time on the Forums until I’m having issues or looking for new gadgets but this one interested me as my T6.1 has been a nightmare for this.
I noticed it pre collection but as I’d bought it off a third party dealer and put loads of extras on it had already effectively left VW so decided rather than delay collection I’d sort it with VW myself under warranty.
The voltage drop explanation actually makes loads of sense to me as if you watch a successful closure it’s a constant speed on the way down if it’s going to fail it slows down for the last 1/3! Or at least mine does.
So mines now been in 4 times for this and still no joy, I fell out with Manchester Van Centre as it just became a joke which I won’t go into.
Lancashire Van Centre have been brilliant it’s had new soft closure latch, power struts, Tailgate control module the list goes on.
Collected it today as a successful repair but at my first job it missed again, so it’s booked back in.
I’d be really interested if anyone has success or has had success with this one as the guy whose was fixed with a new latch must have had a different issue.
I’ll be honest my tailgate looks misaligned even when closed in my opinion (excessive steps where the panels meet the tailgate) don’t know if anyone else has the same?
Either way I’ll definitely post if I get any success at its next Van Centre visit.
Danny
 
Salty Spuds said:
We had a similar problem that developed until we couldn't get the tailgate open. It turned out to be the micro switch in the door handle mechanism. VW wouldn't cover it as they blamed it on condensation due to the van being converted & slept in, despite this, they changed the high level brake light "as a precaution" Hmmm! At the same time, the number plate lights failed due to corrosion. I ended up changing the number plate lights & latch mechanism meself. A pretty simple job & the bits cost around £100 from TPS. I made sure that the electrical connections were all sealed with silicone grease. No problems since & that's after 3 years of being "Slept in".
Click to expand...
How does that argument stack up against the Cali which gets slept in?!!!
 
DUSTINDUBZ said:
Hi There,
Apologies don’t spend loads of time on the Forums until I’m having issues or looking for new gadgets but this one interested me as my T6.1 has been a nightmare for this.
I noticed it pre collection but as I’d bought it off a third party dealer and put loads of extras on it had already effectively left VW so decided rather than delay collection I’d sort it with VW myself under warranty.
The voltage drop explanation actually makes loads of sense to me as if you watch a successful closure it’s a constant speed on the way down if it’s going to fail it slows down for the last 1/3! Or at least mine does.
So mines now been in 4 times for this and still no joy, I fell out with Manchester Van Centre as it just became a joke which I won’t go into.
Lancashire Van Centre have been brilliant it’s had new soft closure latch, power struts, Tailgate control module the list goes on.
Collected it today as a successful repair but at my first job it missed again, so it’s booked back in.
I’d be really interested if anyone has success or has had success with this one as the guy whose was fixed with a new latch must have had a different issue.
I’ll be honest my tailgate looks misaligned even when closed in my opinion (excessive steps where the panels meet the tailgate) don’t know if anyone else has the same?
Either way I’ll definitely post if I get any success at its next Van Centre visit.
Danny
Click to expand...
Why don't you speak to Danny at the Droitwich service center (3 Danny's involved now)
They had mine 3 times but eventually sorted it. It baffled them and I was told they sought advice from Germany.
Never failed since.
Mention my case. PM me if you need more specs details.
 
That’s great thanks Danny, I’ve got it booked back in but would rather give some info as I think the Tech working on it was at his wits end.
 
Has anyone else had any more success with this issue?

The power drop is not longer an option for the cause because we have the same issue even with the engine running. Have tried this at tickover and also at higher revs.

it still does it randomly. It’s in the dealer in a few weeks but at the moment dealers are giving booking dates of 6-8 weeks in the future so I hope they don’t want to book it in for another visit. It’s a joke.
 
Last edited:
Hi all… 4 years of ownership never really had issues with electric tailgate….but had once an issue soft close/latching due to van being parked at an angle ( on/off kerb ) but I’ve always kept the latch gear clean and lub’d …and stops adjusted….Only real pain is sometimes the rear proximity sensors will not allow the tail to open on the button.
I've heard of Dieselgate….but never Tailgate :laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
Took the van in today. Technician is aware of this fault which is reassuring to hear and he is ordering parts. Will update on what happens.
 
BRABUS said:
Took the van in today. Technician is aware of this fault which is reassuring to hear and he is ordering parts. Will update on what happens.
Click to expand...
What was the issue. My tailgate closes but power latch not pulling out in
 
Display shows it closed and interior light goes off. I’m pretty sure it’s the patching part in the bumper
 
M&M said:
What was the issue. My tailgate closes but power latch not pulling out in
Click to expand...
The issue was with the soft close part of the latch that pulls the tailgate tight. They just replaced the whole part under warranty.
 
Mine started to play up today, sorf close not pulling in, tried it with side door open no difference. If I pushed it iit would work, but then it wouldn't. Also when I unlocked the van I could hear the soft Close make a noise.
Make have to be a trip to the dealer
 
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