Not the typical trunk problem...
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AudiWorld Expert
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 33,370
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Not the typical trunk problem...
So my car decided yesterday to start giving me some trunk monkey BS. It wouldn't close automatically. It would just get to the closing point and then the latching motor wouldn't kick on and it would pop back up. Great, so I made my 7.5 hour road trip back home with the trunk not secured.
Today I start messing with it. Nothing it wrong with the mechanical parts. The locking motor on the trunk itself works, and the securing motor attached to the chassis works. Only problem is that they are out of sync.
Trunk open, latch on car pulled down to secure the trunk. WTF. I have spent the last 4 hours screwing with it. I tried pulling fuses, pulled power from the battery and nothing resets it.
Any ideas besides replacing a motor that works fine. I have disconnected all of the parts at one time or another except the motor for the securing side that is mounted behind the battery...so its almost like a fresh install of new parts. Essentially its the same as replacing the parts so what would one do to put these 2 items in sync?
Today I start messing with it. Nothing it wrong with the mechanical parts. The locking motor on the trunk itself works, and the securing motor attached to the chassis works. Only problem is that they are out of sync.
Trunk open, latch on car pulled down to secure the trunk. WTF. I have spent the last 4 hours screwing with it. I tried pulling fuses, pulled power from the battery and nothing resets it.
Any ideas besides replacing a motor that works fine. I have disconnected all of the parts at one time or another except the motor for the securing side that is mounted behind the battery...so its almost like a fresh install of new parts. Essentially its the same as replacing the parts so what would one do to put these 2 items in sync?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,218
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From: Michigan
Mine doesn't latch sometimes in cold weather. I just leave it in my garage overnight and in the morning it's warmer since its been in the garage, i reclose it and it latches fine. Try spraying some spray lube grease on it, if not see about replacing the latching mechanism. I never use my trunk unless I have to, and if I do I only do when it's not freezing cold outside.
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 28
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Unfortunately it appears to be a common problem. My car has been in for this issue numerous times, and is at the dealer right now for the same issue after them just replacing the hinges for the second time which did not fix the problem. It is really a PITA. I suggest calling Audi's A8 customer line at 866.892.2834 and complaining about it.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 188
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From: Western Washington
Not sure if it's the same part we have on the C6, but this is a VERY common issue for those of us C6 folks living in colder climates - once the weather turns cold, these reports start popping up all the time. Pun only slightly intentional. 
Lubricant will help for a few months or until the next severe cold period, then the problem reappears.
Dealer didn't blink when I mentioned the problem on my S6, simply responded "yea, there's a redesigned latch that addresses that, we'll install it under warranty".
Lubricant will help for a few months or until the next severe cold period, then the problem reappears.
Dealer didn't blink when I mentioned the problem on my S6, simply responded "yea, there's a redesigned latch that addresses that, we'll install it under warranty".
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 943
Likes: 5
From: MA
Had the same issue 12 months ago. Hinges were replaced once before.As suggested, I called the Audi A8 customer line to complain about the inconvenience. They offered to replace the hinges once again for $100. (I'm out of warranty)
Bottom line: They're very aware of this issue, be firm that you're not satisfied.
Bottom line: They're very aware of this issue, be firm that you're not satisfied.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 42
From: Kansas City
Hinges ?
Unfortunately it appears to be a common problem. My car has been in for this issue numerous times, and is at the dealer right now for the same issue after them just replacing the hinges for the second time which did not fix the problem. It is really a PITA. I suggest calling Audi's A8 customer line at 866.892.2834 and complaining about it.
I think what is needed, in my case at least, is a new latch on the deck lid. Has anyone at the dealership explained how it is that hinges are causing the problem? All these posts mention hinges, but I dont see the relationship. The A8 I have was bought back by Audi from its original owner under the Lemom Law due to repeated trunk problems...must be a design flaw at the root of the trunk maladies.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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I have had the hinges replaced on mine twice. ONe time it would not close and I used the trunk button on the door to reset the system. It worked after that. This is definitely a known problem. Especially in cold weather. Kind of ironic since the quattro system works so well in snow. Now I can drive through a blizzard in comfort and safey. I just can't use the trunk.
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AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: May 2006
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I am having the same problem on my 04...trunk closes, does not latch, and re-opens. I found that if I adjust the loop (that the trunk latch engages) upward a bit then the micro switch gets tripped and the latching sequence is performed. Unfortunately, that results in a deck lid that is not flush with the quarter panels so Ireturned the striker loop to its original position and have to slam the trunk manualy.
I think what is needed, in my case at least, is a new latch on the deck lid. Has anyone at the dealership explained how it is that hinges are causing the problem? All these posts mention hinges, but I dont see the relationship. The A8 I have was bought back by Audi from its original owner under the Lemom Law due to repeated trunk problems...must be a design flaw at the root of the trunk maladies.
I think what is needed, in my case at least, is a new latch on the deck lid. Has anyone at the dealership explained how it is that hinges are causing the problem? All these posts mention hinges, but I dont see the relationship. The A8 I have was bought back by Audi from its original owner under the Lemom Law due to repeated trunk problems...must be a design flaw at the root of the trunk maladies.
I would be interested in seeing your lemon law buyback disclosure about your trunk and whether it contained any waiver of further warranty, etc. At least in CA the warranty (unless waived) extends until the nonconformity has been fixed and I would assume you could pursue the matter on the basis that it was never fixed or otherwise conformed to the manufacturers warranty given that it was previously bought back on that issue and the issue still exists, but I have not researched the issue.
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AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,937
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From: Kansas City
There is no disclosure obtainable, other than that they will confirm it is a lemon law buy back. When asked the reason for the buy back Audi cites the Privacy Act and says that it can not disclose what went on with the customer. However, by studying the warranty work on file in Audi's data base I deduced that it had to be the trunk issue because that was the only multiple entry and the last entry came shortly before title transfer out of owners name.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 102
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felt like woody allen
My trunk, on my 2005, decided to pop up while I was going through a car wash ! I watched in disbelief while swirling brushes filled my trunk w/ about an inch of water. I spent the next hours applying towels & burning our hair dryers. Audi replaced the "latches"