XC70: Electrical XC70 2013 Tailgate Electrical Issue

[mariospatrinos]

Hi,

First time post so please be gentle

I have a 2013 XC70 D5 AWD SE Lux.

About 2 months ago, I experienced an odd electrical issue with the tailgate which seemed to clear itslef but has re-occurred today:

• Powered tailgate stopped working - does not open externally, internally or with key fob
• Rear wash wipe worked slowly then stopped working all together
• Dashboard warning "Boot Open" would come on and off randomly

The rear taillights to each side of the tailgate work, as do the parking sensors so I'm assuming this is isolated to the tailgate electrics - any ideas??

The car is going in to Volvo on Friday to have an AWD fault fixed and a service - I'd like to know if I'm looking down the barrel of an additional hideous expense (on top of the above) or a known fault with a quick easy DIY fix!

Thanks so much for your help!

[Oak]

Hello - There's a very common issue with the loom in the rear headlining. The earth connection fails as there's too much draw on the cable/connection.

The boot isn't metal - so there's no common ground to share. This means all the electrics in the boot (wiper, switches, boot motor, boot switch, lights, reg plate lights etc...) all come off this one connection.

Volvo have an official repair for this and it involves pulling down the headlining, pulling apart the connection, bypassing it with some thicket gauge wire and reassembling it all!

I'll link it below for you. I found it in Russian originally but then translated it

Hope this helps

[Oak]

https://pdfhost.io/v/~5o2AYcEY_Volvo...ectorENpdf.pdf

PDF of instructions I posted....

And a really good video to watch here too

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=309982

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by Oak

The earth connection fails as there's too much draw on the cable/connection.

Wow, suggests the connector can't handle/is marginal with the amperage as you say. Good to know it's a potential issue though so many thanks for sharing.

[mariospatrinos]

@oak - thank you so much - I had seen the video and am pleased it is such an easy fix and that there's an official Volvo instruction for it - should make my life a lot easier on Friday!

[apersson850]

To make the repair you have to open the boot lid.

If ground is the problem, and it for sure looks like that, you do this:

• Push out the cover over the rear wiper shaft. Push from behind on the locking pin, so you don't destroy it.
• Connect a cable to the now exposed shaft end.
• Connect the other end of the cable to ground. The bracket for the lock in one of the rear door openings is a good place.

Now you can open the boot in the normal way.