Doward Benefield

I can not open the tail gate on my 1999 A6 Quatro Avant. there seems to be a short that re-locks every time I try to open the tail gate. I've even disconnected the battery and it still locks.

Airbag

flex wire to lift gate ?

you should be able to disconnect battery and open with a key no ? just unlock a few times with the key once the battery is disconnected

then look at the wiring harness.

Doward Benefield

Thanks, but I did try disconnecting the battery but to no avail. The key turns but it doesn't unlock. I'll try that again before I try to remove the lower interior tail gate trim from inside the trunk so, hopefully, I can get to the locks assemblys.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Hmmm…the rear lock on my 02S6 is mechanical…it unlocks it, period, by turning the key 90 degrees CCW and then returning the key to center.
It also has the function of locking the rear door so the electric lock won't unlock not if I turn the key 90degrees clockwise and then return it to center and remove the key.