[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by OJM (original)

Hi all,

I had a search round on the forum, and found a couple of topics about this, but instead of resurrecting a 3 year old topic, I thought I'd post a new one in the hope that someone will be able to help...

Earlier today my other half closed the boot, but it didn't shut properly. I jumped out and tried to open it, but it couldn't - although it was like it had half caught on the latch, as it was caught, but not shut fully. After a couple of tries it opened, and I *cough* slammed it shut (we had had a 'lovers tiff'...), but it didn't shut properly again, and half caught.

I left it alone and drove home, only to find that I couldn't open it at all once I'd got home. I did a quick search on here, and found the manual release under the rear seats, so I tried that - it released it, but now it wouldn't close at all...not even half latch.

I messed around with locking the doors, unlocking, opening the boot and locking etc etc, but still nothing.

I left the boot down but unlatched, and locked the car to go inside. When I came out again, to go to BMW, it had half latched again.

I went to Sytner Nottingham (don't know why I bother going there...) and they said they'd need to book it in, and would charge me 30 mins labour to take a look - said it could either be the actuator or something else (motor / switch, I think). However, they can't have it in until a week on Monday, and would need it all day to get round to taking a look at it - GREAT! The next Saturday space would be 3rd May - AWESOME! As expected, I'd have to pay for the diag, parts and labour to fit, due to it being out of the 3 year warranty (2003 MCS).

Has anyone had this before, and found a cure for it? Be it take something apart and WD40 it, or play with locking / unlocking etc?


I give up with Sytner Nottingham - the times I've been in there, they've been right ****holes, and not friendly in the slightest. It's as if they're looking down at their nose at me. Only decent people there (that I've had the pleasure of speaking to), are the receptionist and the young guy on the parts desk.


Cheers all - any help / ideas would be appreciated! Currently the boot is half latched, which means at least it's shut and can't open, but means I can't use it - the manual release won't open it anymore.

Had a very similar problem the other day (tailgate wouldn't shut / lock again once it had been opened), while doing the checks that I indicated in the previous posts I found that it was the boot-lock solenoid sticking, I found that while having the tailgate open (while the lock-mechanism is playing up), if you push the tailgate button (under the handle) it seemed to free of the solenoid & the lock mechanism started working again! however this will only be until next time it sticks , so it may be worth a try next time it happens (the solenoids on the bottom of the locking mechanism can be opened up & greased etc... but you should only attempt this if your mechanically minded & careful as the bits & pieces can fall out / apart .

Could be another more & more common problem as the MINIs start to age .

So basically if it does it again (wont shut / lock) lift the tailgate up & push the tailgate button, it may just work if only temporarily (& it depends on whats causing the fault though), it's worth a try 1st.