Hatch Latch

[4breezes]

I have a new to me 2014 Jetta TDI Sportwagen. I've had it about two weeks. It's an adjustment from my old Trooper and my F350.

The Jetta has a problem with the rear hatch. A lot of the time it doesn't want to latch when I close it. It just bounces, but doesn't latch when I close it. This evening it took close to 15 minutes to get it to latch.

Am I doing something wrong, or does it need adjustment and repair?

I'm sure I'm leaving out some important details, so feel free to ask what you need.

 

[Nickmk7]

I think there's those little rubber donuts that adjust the closed position, maybe check those if they're there.

 

[DrGERTol]

On our '11 wagon, if we just let the lid close on its own, often it will not latch completely (i.e., the latch catches, but not firmly, and the MFI display shows the rear lid is still "open"). When we close the lid firmly by hand (but not slamming it shut), it always latches properly.

Maybe time to look at the side "adjustment buffers":

Remove cover -4- from adjusting buffer.
Loosen the bolt -5- on the adjusting buffer -6- slightly until the buffer can slide into the stop in direction of -arrow-.
Close rear lid to initial locking position -1- using light pressure over center.
Open rear lid again.
Tighten the bolt -5-, tightening specification: 10 Nm.
Press the cover -4- onto the adjusting buffer.

HTH --g

 

[4breezes]

Good answers so far. Both have possibilities. I'll work on it Monday when I get home.

I'm at my daughter's now, without the proper tools. On top of that, I'm not sure my torque wrench measures nm. 10nm converts to 7.376fp.

I took a quick look and saw no little rubber donuts. Where should I look to see whether they are there or are missing?

 

[DrGERTol]

Our generation of the Golf Variant (wagon) doesn't have "little rubber donuts" on the rear lid; that's what the "adjustment buffers" do on our wagons. --g

 

[Wilkins]

It is a known issue. You might need a new latch. https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/jsw-rear-hatch-latch-problem.392922/#post-4987285
That said, mine has done it intermittently for years, rear interior light doesn’t work. I bought a latch with a camera in it a couple years ago, probably should install it.

 

[DrGERTol]

A failing/faulty latch/actuator could cause this, too.. The read lid latch assembly has two sensors/microswitches to control the rear overhead lamp and let the BCM J519 know that the rear latch is engaged:

Switch F5 controls the the cargo lamp, while F124 senses the lid "open"/"closed" state to the BCM.
The current VAG PN for the latch is 5M0-827-505-H-9B9.
BTW, the rear-view camera is part of the lid handle, not the latch. --g

 

[DivineChaos]

I have a spare latch somewhere. On mine I lubed it up and adjusted the striker.

 

[DrGERTol]

ETKA as of Jan 2022 shows the latch part number as 5M0-827-505-H-9B9 (from earlier versions -B and -E). Some dealer part store sites that I use (e.g., vwpartsvortex.com, bamwholesaleparts.com) show this part number as "discontinued". I'm curious about that. The parts.vw.com site points us to the dealer in Ann Arbor (MI) for this part number (list price $189 with "limited stock"). And fcpeuro.com shows both -E ($100) and -H ($169) versions as "available" (and with free shipping). A bit of preventive maintenance on this might be useful come warmer weather here. --g

 

[4breezes]

And the tale goes on. I spent the weekend at my daughter's, and the latch behaved itself. I opened and closed the rear hatch a number of times with no problem. I got home mid-afternoon today, and the hatch would not open. I tried opening it using the fob, and I tried using the release in the driver's door. It always made the proper noise, but would not open. I was able to open it from the inside using the manual release, but when I closed it it once again refused to open. Tomorrow I'll try adjusting the side "adjustment buffers".

 

[JD_2012GolfTDI]

Replaced my rear hatch locking latch (part# 5K0827505A) that failed. It starting making a buzzing sound and would no longer latch closed, or lock. Read that it's a common problem due to a plastic worm screw that fails within it. Replacing it was easy enough 5 min. (YouTube2, YouTube2). The replacement part was only $21. on Amazon

 

[DrGERTol]

... Read that it's a common problem due to a plastic worm screw that fails within it...

What about VAG PN 1T0827505 (not current in ETKA, BTW) to R&R the failed plastic worm screw, e.g.: https://www.ebay.com/itm/373695740028

 

[JD_2012GolfTDI]

Nice to know there's options for folks.
$14 for the plastic worm screw inc. shipping vs. $21 for whole unit.

 

[DrGERTol]

Now, I'm not intending to start a discussion on OE vs OEM vs aftermarket parts here, but I am curious about the functional differences in the VAG part numbers for rear lid latches for Mk6 Golfs (5K0827505A, now 5K0827505C) and our Mk6 Golf Variants/wagons & Tiguans (5M0827505E, now 5M0827505H).

ETKA shows they have the same list price in Germany (56 euro), but significantly different US dealer list pricing here ($127 vs $189), when either part isn't shown as "discontinued". --g

 

[4breezes]

I think you all have solved my problem. Many thanks. The locking mechanism itself is cheap enough, so I'll go that way.

My remaining question concerns the camera. Will the unit on Amazon keep the camera fully functional? I'd hate to lose that now that I'm starting to get accustomed to it.

 

[DrGERTol]

As I noted above, the OE RVC is part of the lid handle/switch assembly, totally unrelated to the latch assembly in question here. --g

 

[4breezes]

All done. I replaced the locking latch on the rear hatch. It now works as advertised, and doesn't make that ominous chattering noise.

I thank you all for your help, your suggestions, and for pointing me in the right direction.