[radish]

(apologies in advance for another tailgate post, but...)

Could I reject my Mini based on a faulty tailgate?

Last night (in the pouring rain) I tried for 30 mins to close the tailgate - eventually it "closed", but the tailgate warning light stayed on (found it hard to convince myself this is a new car!!!)

I've been to my dealer 5 times regarding the above (plus rattles) - they have tried everything - new mech, lock adjustments, bit of plastic to stop rattles, etc., but every time it just slowly gets worse. I now find myself reluctant to open the damn thing, fearing I may not be able to close it.

I know it seems kind of ridiculous to reject a car based on the above, but what can I do? I consider this a security risk.

[Clutch Cargo]

Radish, it sounds like your dealer doesn't have a competent mechanic on staff. Dumb question I know, but have you tried going to a different dealership for this repair? This problem should be fixable, it seems to me.

Good luck, anyway.

[stanMINI]

I don't know if this is your problem or not, but I had a similar experience with the tailgate not latching.

It turns out that the because the latch is electronic and not mechanical, to some extent anyway, that if it is toggled open it won't latch. You may just need to pull the handle one click to get the thing to latch again. I have kids that open the boot and let the thing click multiple times and that is when I can get into trouble. Now that I know what the problem is, it is easy to fix.

[here2help]

INFO ONLY:-
How to re-initialise the tailgate mechanism..
1)With the tailgate open,allow 1 minute to pass,then lock and unlock the car (via the remote key),then press the release button on the tailgate.You should hear the latch reset itself,the boot should now close okay...
2)If this does not work,leave the tailgate open,manually close the catch (using a screwdriver which should hopefully reset the microswitch in the latch itself)then press the release button on the tailgate,again you should hear the catch reset itself..
3)if all this fails call the dealer..you need a new catch..!

If you are stuck and need to get INTO the boot but are unable to,sit in the back of the car and get someone with skinny arms to reach down past the rear parcel shelf and undo the seat back catches which will alow you to get at the boot latch itslef...you will need to remove three push in clips and pull the trim away from the landing panel then pull outwards the little white lever on the left hand side of the catch as you are looking at it from inside the car...
HOPE THIS HELPS

[erazo]

Here2help's technique is RIGHT ON. I had the same problem with my hatch but only after demonstrating the (useless) remote hatch release feature to my daughter, who was not impressed.

Now I NEVER use the remote release, and I no longer have the problem. Poor design!

[radish]

Thanks for the info - I'll give the re-init a try.

[emmaco]

Thanks for the tip....had to remove the rear trim panel and move the white "switch" over. We have a 2002 Cooper S with no remote release.

The thing wouldn't latch. I think I'll end up drilling a hole in the trim panel to better access the white button. Plug it with a trim button or something.

Saved me a trip to the dealer. Really a dumb design.

[notters]

I had same "no close" problem. After 2 new boot locks neither of which fixed the problem it transpired that the rubber seal around the boot was not seated properly. This meant it was virtually impossible to close boot and extinguish dash warning light.

The rubber seal was refitted .Now works perfectly and closes first time without need to slam the lid down.

Hope this may be of help.