Can't Open The Boot on your Fiat 500 or Abarth 500?
Are you having a problem opening the boot on your Abarth 500 or Fiat 500? Does it open only by using the button release on the key fob?
If this is the case we can help you with this article on what is most likely at fault with your Fiat 500!
This article is relevant for all models of this small car so if the boot won't open on your fiat 500 pop, colour, sport, or comfort model, this article is sure to help you!
This article is relevant for all models of this small car so if the boot won't open on your fiat 500 pop, colour, sport, or comfort model, this article is sure to help you!
Boot Won't Open By Pressing The Boot Release Button
A common problem with some Fiat 500's (and also on Abarth models) is one where the boot (called the trunk in the USA) will not release and open when you press the release button that is underneath the chrome trim-bar that is fitted to the cars tailgate.
We are not at the moment talking about opening the boot with the button on the key fob, by purely just reaching under the chrome trim-bar on the boot lid and pressing the button that is underneath - the boot on your car should open!
If nothing happens then the fault is usually one of the following reasons:
A common problem with some Fiat 500's (and also on Abarth models) is one where the boot (called the trunk in the USA) will not release and open when you press the release button that is underneath the chrome trim-bar that is fitted to the cars tailgate.
We are not at the moment talking about opening the boot with the button on the key fob, by purely just reaching under the chrome trim-bar on the boot lid and pressing the button that is underneath - the boot on your car should open!
If nothing happens then the fault is usually one of the following reasons:
- The internal boot switch is dirty and needs cleaning, possibly lubricating as well
- The internal boot switch has broken beyond repair and needs replacing
- Their is a fault with the wiring going to the switch from the cars wiring loom
How to fix it
If your not familiar with basic mechanics and electrics it is recommended that you trust this task to your local Fiat dealer, or another garage that you know.
In particular consider getting in-touch with an experienced auto-electrician as opposed to a car mechanic (or commonly referred to as a car technician nowadays).
Boot switch is dirty:
Without going to cost of first replacing the micro-switch / lock assembly it is worth seeing if the switch / lock can be repaired. In a lot of cases the problem is just that the switch unit is dirty and hence fails to work. Being on the rear of the tailgate it is prone to getting dirt and grime inside and this when built-up can cause the boot to refuse to open when the release button is pressed.
To try and repair this fault you need to ideally give the lock and switch assembly a good blast with some compressed air, this can be done at some petrol stations by use of their air-line depending on the type available. Alternatively call into your local pc (computer) shop and buy a small aerosol can of compressed air, this is the type that is used for cleaning computers and their keyboards etc.
Spray the air into all of the holes and apertures that are on the boot lock assembly, and do this several times over say a 15 minute period. Hopefully this will blast-away any dirt and grime that is gumming up the boot lock release switch.
Next, try the boot release button. If it works you have found the problem!
All that is then needed is to protect the switch for future use by applying another product. Your local electronics shop (perhaps a Maplin or Tandy type store) will be able to sell you a can of switch cleaner / lubricant, this should again be sprayed into all the lock holes and apertures. This product not only cleans but lubricates too, applying a thin film of conductive liquid onto the boot release switch's internal parts.
Boot switch is broken or faulty:
A great number of Fiat 500 cars including all models of Comfort, Pop, Twinair, Sport, and Abarth, suffer from broken and faulty boot switch problems. The lock fitted to the tailgate contains a small microswitch that over time can fail and also break. Usually the switch just gives-up and refuses to work preventing the boot from being opened. When this happens it is usually just the boot release button on the tail gate that stops working, the key-fob control typically keeps on working and in the correct way.
As detailed above, sometimes cleaning the lock / switch unit works in fixing this problem, but in some cases it doesn't. Fiat dealerships advise of a change in-design on newer Fiat 500 cars so they are well aware of this problem!
If the boot switch is faulty it will need replacing with a new one, and we recommend you fit a genuine new Fiat part when doing so, this part comes complete as an assembly with the chrome boot trim, it is not available to buy as just a new switch or lock unit!
How easy is it to fit?
The new unit is straight forward and easy to fit, typically taking around 20 to 30 minutes time for an average person. A few basic tools are needed to unbolt the chrome-trim and switch unit from the rear of the tailgate / boot lid, the electrical wiring connection simply pushes on and off. The fitting of a new Fiat 500 boot lock / switch assembly is simply a straight swap-over for the old one.
Please Note: If the key-fob button does not also open the boot you will have to manually open it prior to changing the new assembly with the old.
This is done from the inside of the car, with the boot lock being accessed by reaching into the boot space from the rear passenger seats.
There is a small black section on the lower right side of the lock that needs to be pressed-in, when done so this should then release the lock allowing the tail-gate to be opened and raised for access.
Picture courtesy of the Fiat Forum.
Red arrow shows the manual boot switch release.
Is there a fault with the wiring?
Some Fiat 500 owners have reported problems with the wires that run from the car into the tailgate, causing not only failure of the boot release switch and lock, but also failure of the rear screen wiper, and heated rear window. It can also cause the rear lights to fail. Sometimes only one of these items stop working, but in other cases all three / four can fail.
Usually this is because of a break in the cars wiring harness where the wires exit in the roof-line and pass through a section of rubber conduit before entering the 500's tailgate. The wires must bend and twist as the tail-gate is opened and closed eventually causing the wires to fray and break apart.
This fault in particular is one in which we class as a weakness in the Fiat 500 design, it just should not happen and is an area of poor quality control with regards what is otherwise a great little and funky car!
Picture courtesy of the Fiat Forum.
Note the breaking and fraying the wires in the rear wiring loom.
This is visible once the rubber cover / conduit has been pulled back and released from the body and tailgate areas on the Fiat 500.
Red arrow shows the manual boot switch release.
Is there a fault with the wiring?
Some Fiat 500 owners have reported problems with the wires that run from the car into the tailgate, causing not only failure of the boot release switch and lock, but also failure of the rear screen wiper, and heated rear window. It can also cause the rear lights to fail. Sometimes only one of these items stop working, but in other cases all three / four can fail.
Usually this is because of a break in the cars wiring harness where the wires exit in the roof-line and pass through a section of rubber conduit before entering the 500's tailgate. The wires must bend and twist as the tail-gate is opened and closed eventually causing the wires to fray and break apart.
This fault in particular is one in which we class as a weakness in the Fiat 500 design, it just should not happen and is an area of poor quality control with regards what is otherwise a great little and funky car!
Note the breaking and fraying the wires in the rear wiring loom.
This is visible once the rubber cover / conduit has been pulled back and released from the body and tailgate areas on the Fiat 500.
Repairing this problem takes a little more time for the experienced car mechanic or Fiat 500 owner. Depending on the severity of the wiring problem there are several options that can be taken.
It is not uncommon for a main Fiat dealer to recommend the replacement of the wiring loom - but this can work out to be a quite costly repair.
More cost effective is to repair the broken wires with either an "off the shelf" Fiat 500 Tailgate Repair Loom or undertake a repair by the splicing-in of new individual wires.
Both repair options need to carried out by a competent person who is not afraid of tackling this area of electrics / wiring on cars.
Hopefully if you have this problem with your own car the fraying or breaking of the wires will be within the area that is covered by the rubber grommet / conduit, if so this will be far easier to repair than if the problem is right at the edge of the tailgate or body opening!
If the latter is the case then a larger section of the wiring loom will need replacing, possibly needing the upper roof lining to be partially removed from place.
Proceeding with the fitment of a Fiat 500 Tailgate Wiring Loom Repair Kit:
As more and more Fiat 500 cars (as well as Abarth models) come to light with this common issue, an increasing number of suppliers of Fiat 500 tailgate wiring loom repair kits are cropping up.
Proceeding with the fitment of a Fiat 500 Tailgate Wiring Loom Repair Kit:
As more and more Fiat 500 cars (as well as Abarth models) come to light with this common issue, an increasing number of suppliers of Fiat 500 tailgate wiring loom repair kits are cropping up.
The repair kits that you can buy "off the shelf" or from an internet seller do vary from stockist to another, but all follow the same basic idea.
All of the Fiat 500 repair loom kits seem to include a repair section of loom that contains a new rubber grommet / tube that is surrounding multiple sections of wires.
The old damaged section of wiring needs to be cut out of the original wiring loom and the repair section fitted in its place.
Some of the tailgate / boot wire repair kits are soldered into place, where as others are crimped. Obviously it pays to check which loom repair kit you are ordering before you buy it!
To fit a kit that needs soldering you need to know how to use a soldering iron (as well as own one), as otherwise you could make matters worse. One of these type of repair looms must be fitted correctly and with a good quality soldering carried out.
The "crimp" type repair kits are far easier to fit, and anyone with basic knowledge of using hand tools should be able to fit one.
Some of the tailgate / boot wire repair kits are soldered into place, where as others are crimped. Obviously it pays to check which loom repair kit you are ordering before you buy it!
To fit a kit that needs soldering you need to know how to use a soldering iron (as well as own one), as otherwise you could make matters worse. One of these type of repair looms must be fitted correctly and with a good quality soldering carried out.
The "crimp" type repair kits are far easier to fit, and anyone with basic knowledge of using hand tools should be able to fit one.
Again, as mentioned above, the old damaged section of wiring needs cutting out and the new repair section replacing in its place.
With no soldering needed these type of kits are straight forward to fit, but a crimping tool must be used to crimp the connections properly. Even a cheap / budget priced wire crimping tool can be used - and these can be purchased from well under £10.00 (15 to 20 $'s) from most bargain type hardware / poundshop / tool shops.
With no soldering needed these type of kits are straight forward to fit, but a crimping tool must be used to crimp the connections properly. Even a cheap / budget priced wire crimping tool can be used - and these can be purchased from well under £10.00 (15 to 20 $'s) from most bargain type hardware / poundshop / tool shops.
Alternatively you can buy a suitable low priced one off the likes of ebay or Amazon, or one of the many online tool shops.
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Alternative search terms include Fiat 500 Boot Stuck, problem with Fiat 500 tailgate, common Fiat 500 Faults, Tailgate Wiring Loom Repair, how to fix boot that wont open on a Fiat 500.
This model of Fiat car is one that is very popular throughout most countries including of course in the UK, USA, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, and Austria.
The boot jammed problem is something that most Fiat dealerships have certainly experienced, as it is a common fault / issue.
Any Fiat repairing garage should be able to fix this issue regardless of whether they are based in Berkshire, Derbyshire, Humberside, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, or Yorkshire in the UK, as well as areas and regions in other countries where the 500 and Abarth 500 is sold.
.
Alternative search terms include Fiat 500 Boot Stuck, problem with Fiat 500 tailgate, common Fiat 500 Faults, Tailgate Wiring Loom Repair, how to fix boot that wont open on a Fiat 500.
This model of Fiat car is one that is very popular throughout most countries including of course in the UK, USA, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, and Austria.
The boot jammed problem is something that most Fiat dealerships have certainly experienced, as it is a common fault / issue.
Any Fiat repairing garage should be able to fix this issue regardless of whether they are based in Berkshire, Derbyshire, Humberside, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, or Yorkshire in the UK, as well as areas and regions in other countries where the 500 and Abarth 500 is sold.
