VW Nivus Tailgate Motor Fault: Hall Sensor Issue Alert

As someone with some experience working on VWs, I had a very similar issue with my 2020 VW T-Cross. The power tailgate would stop halfway and throw sensor fault warnings on the dash. After checking with my regular workshop, they found the issue was a damaged wire connection to the tailgate motor sensor. The constant opening and closing had caused wear on the cable harness. The repair involved replacing the wiring connector and recalibrating the tailgate sensor system. Total cost was 95€ including diagnostic and labor. My suggestion would be to have them specifically check: All wire connections to the tailgate motor, The sensor functionality, The power tailgate mechanism alignment To help diagnose this better, could you share: Does the tailgate make any unusual sounds? At what point exactly does it stop opening? Are there any visible signs of wire damage near the hinges? Have you noticed this happening more in certain weather conditions? The repair was fairly straightforward once they identified the exact issue, but proper diagnosis is key with these power tailgate problems.

Latest service was at 84000km. The power tailgate stops about halfway up with a loud click sound. No obvious wire damage that I can see around the hinges. This happens consistently regardless of weather. The weird thing is that the first few centimeters of opening seem normal, then it struggles and stops. I can understand the wiring could be the culprit, but I am wondering if sensor calibration might also help. The tailgate motor itself sounds normal, just stops responding. Will definitely have them check the connections you mentioned. Does sensor recalibration require any special tools? Trying to gauge if this is something only the dealer can handle or if a regular workshop could do it.

Since my T-Cross had such similar symptoms, I can add that the clicking sound you describe is exactly what I experienced. In my case, while the wiring was the main issue, the sensor calibration was actually needed after the repair. The recalibration process requires a diagnostic computer with VW-specific software. While some independent workshops have this capability, make sure they have experience with power tailgate systems. The sensor fault often needs both the hardware fix and proper recalibration to fully resolve the issue. The fact that your automatic tailgate stops consistently at the same point, combined with the normal initial movement, strongly points to a sensor wiring problem rather than the motor itself. When my sensor wiring was damaged, the tailgate would also move normally for the first part before throwing the error. Most workshops with VW diagnostic equipment can handle the calibration, but I would recommend confirming this before booking. The total repair time in my case was about 2 hours, one for the wiring repair and another for testing and calibration. My suggestion would be to get it checked soon, as continuing to use the power tailgate with a sensor fault could potentially cause additional damage to the motor or mechanism.

Thanks for the detailed information. Your experience with the T-Cross helps a lot. The symptoms do sound identical to what I am experiencing, especially the normal initial movement followed by the stop. I called my local workshop and they confirmed they have the VW diagnostic equipment for the hall sensor calibration. They quoted around 120€ for full diagnosis, potential wiring repair, and recalibration of the vehicle sensor system if needed. Made an appointment for next week. Will have them thoroughly check the sensor wiring near the automatic tailgate mechanism since that seems to be a common failure point. Good to know the repair time is typically around 2 hours, helps me plan my day better. Really appreciate the tip about getting it fixed soon. Have been manually closing the tailgate to avoid making any potential damage worse. Will update once I know what the actual issue turns out to be.