Volvo S40 boot opening when starting car

pete4pool

Hi all,

Looking for some help on a few small issues I am having with my 06 Volvo S40. I am not sure if all the issues are related to each other, so I'll let you decide that.

A few weeks back I went away for about 5 days and when I got back my battery was dead, usually it takes longer than 2 weeks for this to happen, but thought no more of it. Then about 2 weeks later, I went to go to work and the battery was totally dead, so it then occurred to me that the battery was old and I needed a new one, which I got that day.

I am not sure if it started when it died the first time or after I changed the battery, but when I lock and unlock the car with my key fob, the indicator lights no longer flash, (they used to do so). Again not a major issue.

Then at the end of last week I went to fill up my car and when I got back in and turned on the car I noticed the "Boot lid Open" message on the car. I got out and checked and it was open, thought nothing much of it, I closed it and drove on. After stopping at the shop it again happened. Again I got out and closed it. It did not happen again for a few days, but since yesterday morning, nearly every time I start the car the boot unlocks and I have to get out and close it and it stays off until the next time I start it.

I tried turning it on and off and unlocking it and locking it to see if I could get any pattern, at one stage I could hear the "motor" in the boot locking system go for a few seconds like it was stuck in a loop.

I have looked up a few forums and some point to the boot lid wiring loom, some to the senor in the lock, some to the key fob.

Any ideas be a great help.

Also (as luck would have it) I have the NCT at end of the month, think it would fail on this?

JOEMELLEE

Have same problem, did you get it sorted

pete4pool

Hi Joe,

I did manage to fix it but it's a bit of a story.

Firstly from reading forums I found that the boot wire loop goes in volvo's so I bought and replaced the boot wire loop. And even though the one I replaced did look worn, it did not fix the issue. Cost me about €40.

Also read that the plate lights can cause issues and mine weren't working so I tried replacing the bulbs. No joy.

Next I unscrews the piece of rubber on the boot release button, when you look at the bottom it is a micro switch with a little metal hand on it. I found that that piece of metal was too close to the red button on the switch so it was always opening the switch. I simply pulled down the metal so it was not constantly touching the button.

This did the trick for about 2/3 months, then the boot starting acting up again, opening when I didn't want it to and not opening when I wanted it to. So I read more about this micro switch and read that water can get into it and burn out the switch. So I bought 1 online and replaced it and (touch wood) haven't had a problem with it since. search eBay for

hGENUINE-VOLVO-S40-V50-BOOT-TAILGATE-HANDLE-MICROSWITCH

About €25 I think I paid. When you unscrew the boot release panel and unplug the wires you have the button part, the plate lights and the panel (same colour as your car) it's hard enough to get this part disconnected from the panel many plastic latches, but it does disconnect. Reconnect the wires and screw back on. My plate light worked again after replacing it.

I spoke to a buddy who had the same problem few months later and he went to main dealer and they charged him about €500 to replace the same part. Because they get the switch and they panel together they have to spray paint the panel to match your car which is the main reason for the extra cost. Robbing b*****ds.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions

Regards,
Pete

JOEMELLEE

Thanks, getting around it at the moment by setting the only open drivers door on remote and starting the car before opening other doors, but will check this out when i get time.
Thanks again for reply.