SteveZ1
Veteran Member
Hi Gang,
I just thought I would pass this along as I think I am the first person to successfully do this on their B5.5 US Passat sedans.
Have any of you ever wondered why their trunk has a rubber grip that looks and feels like a switch and that on other cars is a switch that electrically opens the trunk.
Well guess what, in Europe it is a switch!
So never leaving well enough alone, those of you who know me, know that is a given, I started to go down the next rabbit hole.
After much research, several rounds of wrong parts and help from Lito and Mishari I have solved the switch problem. Basically you need a new switch assembly from Europe and need to know what to wire and need a $4 connector with service wires
The best wiring solution we came up with is to run two wires from the trunk release switch connector to the remote trunk release switch in the drivers door.
The other option is to get a European trunk cylinder lock (I have an extra) and run one wire to the 23 pin connector on the CCM position 2 of the connector.
If anyone is interested I have order 3 more european switch assemblies and you have have them for $125 which is my cost after shipping.
Price reduced to $99 including shipping
IN STOCK NOW
Although this might not seem like a big mod, it is something that has been driving me crazy knowing that we get the decontented car.
Problem solved and I am very happy.
Steve
PS
Here is a picture I just took. Sorry for the poor quality, night time flash
In the US cars this switch does nothing, in Europe and likely other markets it is actually a micro switch that sends a signal to the electric trunk release. While you might not think it is a big deal, if you ever had a car with this feature it basically stinks that VW decontented our cars.
Now there is a fix.
Steve
bmwz1@earthlink.net
I just thought I would pass this along as I think I am the first person to successfully do this on their B5.5 US Passat sedans.
Have any of you ever wondered why their trunk has a rubber grip that looks and feels like a switch and that on other cars is a switch that electrically opens the trunk.
Well guess what, in Europe it is a switch!
So never leaving well enough alone, those of you who know me, know that is a given, I started to go down the next rabbit hole.
After much research, several rounds of wrong parts and help from Lito and Mishari I have solved the switch problem. Basically you need a new switch assembly from Europe and need to know what to wire and need a $4 connector with service wires
The best wiring solution we came up with is to run two wires from the trunk release switch connector to the remote trunk release switch in the drivers door.
The other option is to get a European trunk cylinder lock (I have an extra) and run one wire to the 23 pin connector on the CCM position 2 of the connector.
If anyone is interested I have order 3 more european switch assemblies and you have have them for $125 which is my cost after shipping.
Price reduced to $99 including shipping
IN STOCK NOW
Although this might not seem like a big mod, it is something that has been driving me crazy knowing that we get the decontented car.
Problem solved and I am very happy.
Steve
PS
Here is a picture I just took. Sorry for the poor quality, night time flash

In the US cars this switch does nothing, in Europe and likely other markets it is actually a micro switch that sends a signal to the electric trunk release. While you might not think it is a big deal, if you ever had a car with this feature it basically stinks that VW decontented our cars.
Now there is a fix.
Steve
bmwz1@earthlink.net