Audi RS4 Power Tailgate Sensor Malfunction Fix Guide

The automatic tailgate issue you describe sounds exactly like what I encountered on my 2012 Audi S4. The open tailgate would stop midway, suggesting a failing sensor rather than a complete tailgate motor failure. The root cause turned out to be corroded sensor wiring connections near the tailgate hinge area. Moisture had gotten into the protective sleeve and damaged the electrical sensor contacts. While the complete motor assembly was intact, the wiring harness needed attention. The fix involved cleaning the connector pins, replacing a section of the sensor wiring, and applying dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion. This repair resolved the erratic tailgate behavior completely. This is typically not a serious issue requiring major component replacement. The electrical sensor system can often be repaired without replacing the entire tailgate motor assembly. Having dealt with a similar problem, checking the wiring connections should be the first diagnostic step before considering more extensive repairs. Keep in mind that error codes can sometimes point to sensor issues when the real problem lies in the wiring connections, so a thorough inspection is essential.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the tailgate sensor problem. The symptoms sound identical to what I experienced. Would you mind sharing what the repair ended up costing? I just had my hall sensor replaced last month and now Im noticing similar issues again. Makes me wonder if there might be an underlying wiring problem like you mentioned. Have you had any recurring problems since the repair was done?

After taking my S4 to the mechanic, the tailgate hall sensor fault was fully resolved. The final bill came to 95 Euro, which covered fixing a faulty cable connection in the sensor wiring harness. This was much more reasonable than replacing the entire power tailgate assembly. The repair involved cleaning and reconnecting the sensor contacts, then applying protective coating to prevent future moisture damage. The sensor calibration was also performed as part of the service to ensure proper operation. Since this repair, the automatic tailgate has worked flawlessly with no recurring issues. Your situation of a recently replaced hall sensor still showing problems strongly suggests examining the wiring connections. Often, replacing just the sensor without addressing underlying wiring issues can lead to repeated failures. Given your previous sensor replacement, ask your mechanic to specifically check the wiring harness near the hinge area where moisture commonly causes connection problems.

Following up on my initial post, I took your advice and had it checked out last week. The mechanic found exactly what you described, corroded wiring near the hinge area. The repair was straightforward and cost 120 Euro, which included cleaning the connections, replacing a small section of sensor wiring, and doing a full sensor calibration. What a relief it wasnt the entire tailgate motor. The mechanic showed me where moisture had gotten in and damaged the wiring. They applied some special coating to prevent future corrosion issues. The tailgate has been working perfectly since the repair. No more stopping halfway, and the sensor fault code has cleared. Really glad I asked here before assuming the worst. Amazing how such a small wiring issue can cause such annoying problems.