Manual Tailgate Boot Pull Cord Won't Work. Help!

townlondon

Member
Hello A2ers,

My A2 has a flat battery so I tried to use the manual pull cord to open the boot but nothing happens.

The pull cord seems to be stuck. There is no give at all.

Any other ways of getting the boot open?

Thank you.
 
Do not pull too hard as it will come out of the guides that locate it. A gentle but firm pull with someone lifting the tailgate is all it normally takes. Why not drop or remove rear seats and use jump leads on the battery. You can then open normally. Remove the trim and reset the manual pull.
 
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Hello A2ers,

My A2 has a flat battery so I tried to use the manual pull cord to open the boot but nothing happens.

The pull cord seems to be stuck. There is no give at all.

Any other ways of getting the boot open?

Thank you.
I do not understand why the pull cord should be stuck, either still connected and works or I would have thought it would pull out entirely. Just thought you might be expecting the boot to spring open on pulling cord, from memory not the case you may hear a click but you still have to get out car and open boot from the outside.

If that does not work agree with audifan, jump leads and use fob to unlock boot.

If you have to remove boot trim, it clings on like a gorilla, to reattach the pull cord start pulling on the hand hold. Here are some of my thoughts on putting the trim back.

Andy
 
It is possible to pull the plastic cable partially out the small clips that guide it around locking it up. only way to sort it is by removing trim and correctly popping it back into the guide clips.
 
The cord is attached to the latch that is normally moved by the solenoid when you push the bootlid open button on the outside ; pulling the cord gently should be enough to release the tailgate from the 'clicked down' position which then means you should be able to push the tailgate up from inside the car.
 
Depending on how handy you are I believe it is possible to backfeed the accessory socket beside the handbrake with 12V which should allow use of the remote. Making a cable for this is on my list.
 
@Andrew Andy one of your pictures . The cable ( Bowden ) can be pulled so that it jumps out of one or more of the clips. As can be seen in the picture they are split and this is where the cable can get trapped.

SAM_3453.JPG

Have even seen a tailgate that would not latch due to the emergency release being trapped in the open position.
 
Thank you SOOOO!!! much for all the valuable pull cord info. That pic is super useful too as I really wanted to know what it looked like underneath, was really bugging me.

I've owned my A2 since 2006 and I only found out about that pull cord last night. That's what I love about this car, always something new to offer a loyal and patient owner.

BOOT OPEN! : )
I managed to charge the battery and then open the boot by pressing the key a few times. The pull cord WON'T BUDGE so that's my next challenge. Thank you SO much for your quick replies you calmed my rising panic.

And I'm working on or rather thinking about (have been for some time) kitting out my A2 for the odd short sleep over during my travels/outdoor pursuits i.e mobile and very compact pull out kitchen, limo tint windows, compact table and chairs. I think it's possible. Has anyone ever tried? All I need is a pop up top! Thanks again, so much gratitude for all your help and detailed replies. ???
 
The picture is of the rear of the trim panel that comes off. Just be careful when you remove it as it can be a battle of wills to get it off ( perhaps even the reason the cable is trapped ). Remeber the cable is attached at the lower end to the lock so support the panel and relocate the cable. You really need to have an assistant or two to help with this. One to hold the tailgate, one sat in the boot to hold the trim and the third to relocate the cable into the clip guides. Once back in place refit the trim to the tailgate and close the tailgate. Grab the release and gently pull upwards, the lock should open and the cable retract into the trim but not disappear inside it. I find it easier to fully seat the retaining spring clips for the trim by firmly banging round the trim in a decreasing spiral pattern from the edges all whilst sitting inside the boot with the tailgate closed to give something to firmly hold the tailgate shut.. Will make a very small camper, but at least the rear seats are fully removable. would not bother with the limo tint, perhaps look into towing a small tent or even another 1/2 A2. Do a search on here for @Birchall 1/2 A2.
 
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If you check Instagram there is a user on there "samantha_fernweh" who has converted an A2 into a mini camper . ?
 
@Andrew Andy one of your pictures . The cable ( Bowden ) can be pulled so that it jumps out of one or more of the clips. As can be seen in the picture they are split and this is where the cable can get trapped.

View attachment 52493
Have even seen a tailgate that would not latch due to the emergency release being trapped in the open position.
Fair enough, maybe a a case for filling the slots in the cable guides with a suitable pieces of plastic and a few drops of superglue to fix, but the idea has the drawback of making cable renewal slightly more difficult if the need arose.

Andy
 
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I've got a "flying lead" that plugs into the cigarette socket with croc clips at the other end so it can be used as a mini jump lead set to allow the car to power up the locks etc, obviously you cant start the car using it but saves climbing over the back seats or struggling to remove stuff in the boot.........
OK if you've not got a second vehicle not much use.................. but worth keeping in the glove box for that emergency when there is.
 
No need to fill in the slots, and once the cable is correctly located all works just fine. The issue is people yanking the cable too hard and expecting the tailgate to automatically open without lifting from the outside. Just clip it back in and all will work.
 
I've got a "flying lead" that plugs into the cigarette socket with croc clips at the other end so it can be used as a mini jump lead set to allow the car to power up the locks etc, obviously you cant start the car using it but saves climbing over the back seats or struggling to remove stuff in the boot.........
OK if you've not got a second vehicle not much use.................. but worth keeping in the glove box for that emergency when there is.

I also use a similar idea to connect the battery charger when topping-up the battery.
In most cases you could also use the battery charger to power up the locks and therefore open the boot, so you won't need another vehicle as a power source.
 
Hello,

my wife's 1.4 petrol didn't start yesterday: battery flat (lockdown, laziness, etc), so one couldn't unlock the tailgate, the manual cable snapped a long time ago and wives (my wife anyway!) always say 'too much trouble taking it now to the garage, it works perfectly'. To cut a long story short, the mechanic snaked in the rear compartment, connected a battery and drove the A2 away to fit a new battery and as we are at it we'll fit also a new electric bootlid switch as the old one doesn't work so well. My question is, does anyone know the Audi part number for the cable that allows the manual release of the lock even if the battery is flat, so I can order a replacement? Mine snapped and I cannot find its part number anywhere.... Thanks!

Best

Stefano
 
Hello,

my wife's 1.4 petrol didn't start yesterday: battery flat (lockdown, laziness, etc), so one couldn't unlock the tailgate, the manual cable snapped a long time ago and wives (my wife anyway!) always say 'too much trouble taking it now to the garage, it works perfectly'. To cut a long story short, the mechanic snaked in the rear compartment, connected a battery and drove the A2 away to fit a new battery and as we are at it we'll fit also a new electric bootlid switch as the old one doesn't work so well. My question is, does anyone know the Audi part number for the cable that allows the manual release of the lock even if the battery is flat, so I can order a replacement? Mine snapped and I cannot find its part number anywhere.... Thanks!

Best

Stefano
There you go, Bowden cable...


Andy
 
Depending on how handy you are I believe it is possible to backfeed the accessory socket beside the handbrake with 12V which should allow use of the remote. Making a cable for this is on my list.
Yes, this definitely works, Best way to charge the battery any time, let lone when it's flat. Cigarette plug from ebay, and your away!
Mac.
 
^ this sounds interesting. Sorry for the naive question - how does this work exactly?

My boot insert keeps falling off when I open the boot, which is really annoying. I noticed a lot of the retaining clips are missing. i have a replacement boot insert coming but not in the right colour unfortunately. is it possible to move the retaining clips from one boot insert to another?
 
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