JamesB1982
New Member
My T6.1 LWB Kombi Highline in Indium Grey has colour coded handle but no barrel. It has the button on the inside to open it
T6.1 Tailgate handle not colour coded.
- Thread starter Volvo1980
- Start date
Picked mine up today and the tailgate handle is black plastic with a keyhole. Was hoping it would be painted with no keyhole. Dealer said all t6.1s are like that from now on, don't know whether to believe that or not lol. At least it isn't bad on an indium grey van.
This is a swb highline panel Van T6.1 for the record
This is a swb highline panel Van T6.1 for the record
JamesB1982
New Member
I’m fairly sure that panel vans don’t have the option for colour coded handle, but Kombi’s etc do. The painted handle has a switch in it which operates the lock, opposed to a manual pull lever handle. There is also a switch inside the tailgate which you can use to operate the tailgate as well. I don’t know whether power latching will give you the handle as that is about the latch itself which pulls in the tailgate when you close it so you don’t have to slam it.
I don’t know whether you would have that handle if you had electric opening tailgate (if it is an option on a panel van)
I don’t know whether you would have that handle if you had electric opening tailgate (if it is an option on a panel van)
Mine is a panel Van. I was expecting a painted handle as I was shown when ordering but I think it was a kombi they showed me. Bad salesman product knowledge strikes again.
The tailgate handle is electrically operated now was this not the case on the T6 ?
The tailgate handle is electrically operated now was this not the case on the T6 ?
I've ordered a Kombi, but had no idea that another option needs to be ticked in order to have a colour coded handle. While it's a little thing, it's a bit rubbish that you need to opt for this.
Does it mean that they don't come with central locking? I can't see what VW are thinking by doing this with the highline model...?
Does anyone know what the specific option is called that allows you to have the colour coded handle?
Does it mean that they don't come with central locking? I can't see what VW are thinking by doing this with the highline model...?
Does anyone know what the specific option is called that allows you to have the colour coded handle?
Last edited:
I hope this is the case. I just tried the 'make your own van' on the VW website and the picture shows a colour coded handle on the kombi...
I specced the internal switch on mine but still got a black plastic handle with keyhole. Just wish VW would train up salesmen better. I was also told app connect is wireless and it isn't
Recently picked up a new t6.1 panel van only to find that the cheapskates at VW no longer colour code the tailgate handles
Ideally I'd like to swap the black / keyed handle for an indium grey non keyed handle.
Is the above straight forward to do ? I wasn't sure if losing the keyhole caused any problems
Ideally I'd like to swap the black / keyed handle for an indium grey non keyed handle.
Is the above straight forward to do ? I wasn't sure if losing the keyhole caused any problems
Anyone ? 
Looked difficult to remove the handle.
Very easy to colour code in place.
Mine was that factory bumper faded black so sprayed in a gloss black to match mirrors.
Find out your colour code and order a small can.
Mask off large area say up to 60cm around the handle with newspaper.
Clean handle with alcohol spray.
Use a plastic primer which is usually grey.
Wait to dry.
Then do 2 coats of your colour code colour.
Optional laquer.
Remove masking tape & newspaper.
Very easy to colour code in place.
Mine was that factory bumper faded black so sprayed in a gloss black to match mirrors.
Find out your colour code and order a small can.
Mask off large area say up to 60cm around the handle with newspaper.
Clean handle with alcohol spray.
Use a plastic primer which is usually grey.
Wait to dry.
Then do 2 coats of your colour code colour.
Optional laquer.
Remove masking tape & newspaper.
Evening bud...
Button on the inside to open it???
I have the same van and mine doesn't have any buttons to open...only close.
Wheres your button located ?
T6 Trendline panel van in Starlight Blue..
Colour coded handle, no inside opener.
I think they may mean on the inside of the exterior handle?
Strangely, the close button on the underside of the electric tailgate can be touched from the inside of the van when the tailgate is closed but it doesn't open the van...can this be adapted to close when open but open when closed??
Paulie.b
New Member
Hi all , often lurked around on this site in anticipation of unforeseen problems , now I have one .splashed out last year on my beautiful T6.1 in pure grey , I’m a antiques dealer and make frequent trips over and back between UK and Ireland . Got a nice spec trend line , 150 BHP DSG , a model I think but not sure was unavailable in UK at time , between startline and sportline ,anyway over in Uk for a couple of fairs a couple of weeks ago , came back and opened tail gate and it was literally like a bucket of water peed out of door , from door itself , I think it was on this forum I saw similar cases caused by high brake light ,so being under warranty brought her back ,dealer identified problem with door handle , a week later finally got her back and thought there was something different , only when I got my lovely van home I realised they’ve put a crappy black door handle where there was a lovely colour coded pure grey one , wife says get over it , im like a lunatic , am I over reacting and I signed a warranty form presumably stating I’m happy with work carried out which I’m not will main dealer replace it again or back the wife up, I think I’d prefer 2 gallons of rain water in tailgate than that abomination
Last edited:
Unbelievable!!
I would be fuming !!
I believe there is a thread on the forum about the different handles.
Kick off !!
I would be fuming !!
I believe there is a thread on the forum about the different handles.
Kick off !!
