VW Caddy Tailgate Opens Halfway Due to Sensor Failure

Had the same problem with a 2011 VW Touran TSI. The power tailgate would stop midway and throw error codes. The hall sensor near the tailgate motor had lost proper connection due to worn wiring harness insulation. The vehicle sensor system kept misreading the tailgate position, causing the safety stop feature to activate. A complete inspection revealed damaged cables where they flex between the body and tailgate. The repair required replacing the wiring harness section and recalibrating the tailgate motor. This is a known weak point that typically shows up after several years of use. The fix involves accessing the tailgate motor assembly and testing the hall sensor connections. Not a quick roadside repair, but also not a severe mechanical issue. A vehicle diagnostic scan confirmed the fault was isolated to the power tailgate system with no impact on other electronics. Regular maintenance helps catch deteriorating wire insulation before it causes complete failure. The most reliable fix is replacing the affected wiring section rather than attempting temporary repairs. This ensures proper open tailgate function and prevents recurring issues with the position sensors.

Thanks for sharing your experience, that description matches my symptoms exactly. My VW Caddy had the same issue where the power tailgate would stick halfway. Had it fixed at an independent shop about 3 months ago and the sensor fault hasnt returned since. Did you recall approximately what you paid for the repair? The shop charged me 350€ for parts and labor but Im curious if that was reasonable. Also wondering if youve had any other electrical gremlins pop up after getting the hall sensor and wiring sorted?

After getting the tailgate hall sensor fault repaired, it cost 95€ to fix the faulty cable connection. This was much less than your repair since they only needed to repair the existing wiring rather than replace the entire harness. The automatic tailgate has worked flawlessly since the repair. The electrical sensor calibration was included in the repair cost, and I havent experienced any other electrical issues in the 18 months since. The mechanic mentioned these sensor problems are common when the wiring gets stressed from repeated tailgate motor operation. The 350€ you were charged seems a bit high if they only fixed the wiring. However, if they replaced the entire tailgate motor assembly or needed extensive labor for access, that could explain the higher cost. The key is that the open tailgate function works properly now, these sensor issues usually stay fixed once properly repaired.

I took my Caddy to AutoFix Garage after getting that helpful advice. The mechanic found worn wiring near the tailgate motor, just like predicted. They had to replace the entire harness section since the insulation was badly damaged. The sensor calibration went smoothly after installing the new wiring. The automatic tailgate now opens and closes perfectly, no more getting stuck halfway. Total cost was 350€ which included parts, labor and recalibrating the hall sensor system. Really glad I got it properly fixed rather than trying cheaper temporary solutions. The shop explained these tailgate sensor faults are pretty common as the wiring flexes over time. No electrical issues in the 3 months since the repair. This definitely worked out better than my previous repair attempts. Having a mechanic who understood the specific sensor fault made a big difference in getting it fixed right the first time.