hatch release motor broken - mystery revealed

[nick9one1]

I've noticed a few posts over the time I've been here regarding broken hatch release motors, and always thought it strange how mine has always been fine.. until today.

I was re-sealing my rear lights and noticed the cable was a bit slack for the boot relese. As I've always had to hold the button down so the motor spins a few times before it releases I thought I'd tighten it up.

I adjusted the cable till it was just tight enough to have no slack. First attempt, and I heard a 'bang', Broken motor the arm had snapped.

So as wrong as it seems, the cable has to have about 5mm slack, and not be tight!!

 

[robdimond]

I noticed the slack in mine and luckily stopped short of tightening it up.

Resealing rear lights eh... what have I started? []

 

[nick9one1]

haha, well I'd already done one.. and with no plans tonight I thought, why not!

 

[robwright]

And those little cams made of chocolate that fit on the motor are about £30 to buy []

 

[timfield]

I've just had all of my boot apart and tightened everything except the motor, I would say luck not being clever!
Having replaced the rams and spent hours fine tuning the boot so it opens on the button, now find hat it opens on every large bump I hit!
I was doing the boot leak problem that started this hole job having done the resealing the rear lights first!
Cheers
Tim