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[Dan McIntyre]

Just wondering I've seen on some models there is a button on the dash to allow the boot to be opened from inside the car.

Would it be possible to fit this to an estate and make the tailgate open from inside the car at all?

I've been searching but can't find any info on whether it's possible or not.

Many thanks!!

[TheBoy]

Just wondering I've seen on some models there is a button on the dash to allow the boot to be opened from inside the car.

Would it be possible to fit this to an estate and make the tailgate open from inside the car at all?

I've been searching but can't find any info on whether it's possible or not.

Many thanks!!

Facelift or prefacelift?

[tunnie]

Just wondering I've seen on some models there is a button on the dash to allow the boot to be opened from inside the car.

Would it be possible to fit this to an estate and make the tailgate open from inside the car at all?

I've been searching but can't find any info on whether it's possible or not.

Many thanks!!

Facelift or prefacelift?

Its a facelift, he posted silver streak in the gallery.

I assume its possible, should be the same module underneath the drivers kick panel as mine.

[Hillper]

Trying to remember the circuit diagram when I did my override solution.

I'm pretty sure the wiring's there.  

However, there is a real safety issue with accidentally opening an estate from inside the car whilst it's moving!

I wouldn't endorse the mod.

[kcl]

Also, in case it is electrically possible, where can we find the needed force to actually open the tailgate? In saloon the springs in the hinges do that but estate does not have that function. So, with this feature connected one would only open the lock, and then there remains the question "why?"

[Dan McIntyre]

The "why?" is to make it easier to get my wheelchair out of the boot when I'm parked up.  At the moment I have to drag myself out of the drivers seat , grab the roof rails and drag myself to the boot, than balance using my stick and the rear screen while I reach down and press the button and then hope that the tailgate doesn't smack me or knock me over as it opens and then sit on the rear lip once it's open.  It would be much easier and safer if I could, from the drivers seat, press a button and have the tailgate open, then I just have to get myself there and sit down.

I was thinking some kind of tailgate release and then a hydraulic ram of somekind to push it upwards.

[TheBoy]

The "why?" is to make it easier to get my wheelchair out of the boot when I'm parked up.  At the moment I have to drag myself out of the drivers seat , grab the roof rails and drag myself to the boot, than balance using my stick and the rear screen while I reach down and press the button and then hope that the tailgate doesn't smack me or knock me over as it opens and then sit on the rear lip once it's open.  It would be much easier and safer if I could, from the drivers seat, press a button and have the tailgate open, then I just have to get myself there and sit down.

I was thinking some kind of tailgate release and then a hydraulic ram of somekind to push it upwards.

I think the "why" was due to fact it would release lock, but there would be no lift at all, resulting in it being locked again by time you got there - I don't think estate stuts have enough force to unlatch it...

Very heavy duty struts may help lift it when it unlatches, but then you may struggle to close...  ...I think you may be looking at specialist equipment

[tunnie]

As TheBoy says if there was a remote unlock, it would lock itself by the time you get the boot. Even if you don't use a chair and walk normally i think it would still re-lock by the time you reach the tale gate.

Think facelift & pre-facelift Estates are the same, still have to press the button and lift.

As mentioned, I think you need to look into heavy duty struts which have enough power to lift the tail gate.

Once you have some struts that can lift it then you could put the same release that saloons have including a remote release.....

[Dan McIntyre]

THanks for that.  The struts on mine do open it nicely it just needs that initial little bit of movement and then it swings itself upwards smoothly.

There is a local company who do a robotic arm for estates and MPVs to open the tailgate and then bring your wheelchair to the door for you but it costs a fortune and tbh using the roofrails (part of the reason I chose the estate) I can get myself to and from the back of the car so don't need to go the whole hog.

If it's possible to pop the boot using the dash button I reckon something like an old style elctric radio antenna would probably provide enough force to make it open itself.

I guess the main question is would it be possible to fit this release button on a facelift CD estate?  Is it just plug and play or do I need more info first, say from the drivers kick panel?

[tunnie]

It should be possible, most things on facelift are kept the same just turned off for models that don't have it. Cruise for example just needs to be enabled + stalk to work.

Hilper is the best person to comment on this, I modded mine on his advice so i can pop the boot with the engine running. Which you could't on early facelift's which was very annoying!

I would also imagine its possible to get the boot release working with the remote like Saloons, as the estates should have the alarm modules as Estates.

As for the tail gate release i am sure there are some cheaper options, how much space is their in the boot with the chair in? - You could get some kind of push rod thats fixed to the floor of the boot and "pushes" something against the tailgate once its been unlocked, it should need to go far before the struts pull it up.

[Omegatoy]

Why try to go high tech with the opening force? all you need is a couple of squash balls superglued to the bottom edge of the tailgate, when the button is pushed they will give the required movement of the tailift, and am sure they will compress enough to shut it reasonably easily!!
Omegatoy

[Dan McIntyre]

THanks Tunnie thats what I was thinking.  THere is quite a bit of space in the boot with the chair in (the other reason I chose the estate).

Omegatoy - nice idea, could be worth a try thanks.

[TheBoy]

Not sure if you would need to change lock mech, as the estate one is a locking motor only, with the catch being manual I believe...

[kjon51]

Hi Dan,
I've thought about a remote tailgate as well, like you I'm disabled, but don't need a wheelchair, or the hand controls - yet! I use crutches, but can get away with just using the roof rails to manouvre to the back, & as you say it would be so much easier to not have to stand/bend pressing the release etc. I can only stand for a very short time, so another + reason for the omega estate, the back sill/floor is a very comfortable perch!

I've seen a Honda estate, (Accord I think), with remote opening, have you got a Honda dealer near you? I wondered if you could go in to the showroom perhaps & see how they do it?

ATB,
John

[Marks DTM Calib]

It would require some extra wiring but, you could fit a solenoid to the inside of the tailgate and connect a link rod the catch mechanism....connect this to the switch and your away....

With a bit of tech 2 work and a new remote key you should be able to open it remotely to....