Rochdale_Guy

Hi, all of a sudden I can't open my boot (on my 1.4LX 5 door 2004 Fiesta) using the button on the dashboard or using the key fob remote.

I can use the key in the boot lock old style, but am wondering why the dash button won't work or the keyfob boot unlock button.

Could it be a snapped cable or something?

I recently unavoidably hit a red plastic crate on a dual carriageway that got stuck under the front bumper and had to pull over to get the bloody thing out from under the front bumper.



Coincidence or could that have snapped some lead? Boot release cable?

Thanks - in advance.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

it's operated by a solenoid so either the motor is knackered (most likely) or the cable has come off (less likely) or broken (even less likely)

stand by the boot and listen when someone presses the release button if you can hear the motor going then it's working, if not you know what the issue is

i did this on my mk4 and cut my hands to shreds sticking them up in the panel so be sure it's what you think it is rather than just trying random stuff

it will go together, just make sure you take plenty of pics as you take it apart

botters

iTrader: (2)

usually a broken wire in the rubber harness cover between the tailgate and roof

Rochdale_Guy

Thanks guys.

I went and pressed the key fob and could hear something, so I assume the motor is fine..... so it's now a tricky complicated cable / wire to replace then?

Not that changing the motor would be easy. I can't even change the channel on the remote without problems, ha ha!

Sooooo, is this a major job that someone with no technical ability can do himself or will I end up paying Ł50 for a garage to do please?

Is it worth paying Ł20 for a Haynes manual? Don't they have really bad quality black and white photo's in them?

Anyone else fixed this problem themselves please?

When I lifted the boot, all I could see was like a U shaped black plastic moulding on the inside of the boot plus 3 deep screw holes.

Sorry again for the lack of know how, that's why I came to this forum!

Cheers.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

If you've not got that much mechanical knowledge then it's probably best to leave it to a proffesional

You could find a local pf type to help you out but on mine it took about 2 hours from start to finish and I didn't know what I was doing before I started

It is fairly straight forward it's just really really awkward as gaining access to the bits is very difficult

The biggest thing is not breaking the trim when you remove it, I broke mine in two places so if you can get that off the rest should be plain sailing

Rochdale_Guy

Thank you!

Didn't you mean it took you about 2 hours and you did know what you were doing?

Oh great, the lovely easy to get to black plastic trim, as seen (just!) at top of photo:



What parts do I need then please? Yup, I am that dense

Only thing I can do is remove the rear light fitting, change a faulty brake light bulb and replace it, and that's a sod to do, doesn't tell you in the manual there is a wing nut hidden under a flap in the carpet in the boot on each side!

Failing that, any idea how much a local garage would charge me?

Sorry for all the questions, if you don't ask - you don't get!

While I'm here, there is also a - I can only describe it as - a "squelchy noise" on the right hand side when driving, it's been doing this for like 2 years now but has always passed its MOT.

Terrible over bumps and potholes and the CD player always skips.

Had two new front suspension "coils"(?) fitted like 2 years ago but problem remains.

Thanks,

Rochdale_Guy (what I know about car maintenance and repairs you could write on the back of a stamp!)

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martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Most likely a faulty shock absorber, try pushing down on each corner of the car and then release, what happens?

Martin

Rochdale_Guy

Comes in from freezing cold downpour to reveal pushing down on each corner did nothing.

Definitely NO squelchy noise that I get from driving.

And, if it's a faulty shock absorber, wouldn't that be picked up in an MOT?
It's passed everyone since I bought it in 2007....

Very confused and worried about the boot lock and squelchy noise now

Rochdale_Guy

...and back to the boot lock problem, found these videos:

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Not neccesarily no, if it had evident leaking etc then yes it would fail. The 'bounce test' does not always work, especially if you have firm springs, imo you do have a bad shocker!

Martin

Rochdale_Guy

Hi martysmartie,

Thanks for the reply.

Still bad to drive on but I have a new worrying problem, so will start a new thread, feel free to help ( please ! )

Smudge374

Hi, did you get to the bottom of the boot problem? I had a similar problem on a Jag I worked on, it turned out to be just the earth wire in the harnes between body and boot lid, so in the rubber boot, as the wires will fatigue over their life. The lock would try to move but had a rubbish earth return so wouldn't fully operate. I would slide the boot down and check the integrity of all the wires, if it is the case then simply solder a small piece of wire in to repair it.

Hope this helps.

Rochdale_Guy

Hi, sorry - yes I still have the problems as described above, but I have newer more urgent problems to deal with NOW, please take 2 mins to read the post linked below - and see if you can help, thank you.

https://passionford.com/forum/techni...hift-help.html