VW Touran Tailgate Fault: Hall Sensor Issues Revealed

As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I dealt with a similar power tailgate issue on my 2014 VW Tiguan. The symptoms were nearly identical, partial opening and constant error lights due to a sensor fault. In my case, the problem ended up being a damaged wire connection to the tailgate sensor, not the sensor itself. The workshop found that moisture had corroded the plug connection, causing intermittent sensor signals. They cleaned the connector, replaced some damaged wiring, and properly sealed everything. The total repair cost was 95€, which included diagnostic time and parts. After the wiring fix, they also performed a quick calibration of the power tailgate system to ensure proper operation. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Has the tailgate been making any unusual sounds? Does the issue occur more frequently in wet weather? Have you noticed any visible damage to the wiring near the hinges? Were there any other error codes besides the hall sensor fault? The vehicle sensor systems in these VW models are quite similar, but knowing these details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the sensor wiring problem.

Last service was at 108898km. The tailgate actually does make some grinding noise when trying to open, especially noticeable during cold mornings. No other error codes showed up during the scan. The sensor fault seems consistent regardless of weather conditions. I did check the wiring around the hinge area but couldnt spot any obvious damage or loose connections. The hall sensor calibration process you mentioned sounds promising, especially since the repair cost was reasonable. Just want to make sure all wiring connections are properly checked before committing to a full sensor replacement. Would appreciate details on whether your repair shop had to remove the entire tailgate panel to access the sensor wiring harness?

Thanks for those additional details. Yes, in my Tiguan case, the workshop did need to remove the tailgate trim panel to properly access all the wiring connections. The grinding noise you described is actually quite different from what I experienced, mine had no unusual sounds, just the partial opening issue. Given the grinding noise during cold starts, this suggests your power tailgate might have multiple issues: both an electrical sensor problem and potentially a mechanical component wearing out. The vehicle sensor readings might be inconsistent due to the mechanical binding causing irregular movement patterns. When they repaired mine, they performed a complete wire harness inspection after removing the panel, which took about an hour. The hall sensor calibration was actually the final step after addressing the wiring. Since your symptoms include mechanical noises, I would strongly recommend having them check the tailgate struts and motor assembly while they have the panel off. My repair was straightforward because it was purely an electrical sensor issue, but the grinding you describe could indicate additional wear. Pro tip from my experience: Make sure they check the power tailgate motor mount points too, sometimes what reads as a sensor fault can be triggered by a loose mounting bracket affecting the whole mechanism.

Thanks for the detailed insight about the repair process. The different symptoms between our cases, especially the grinding noise in mine, definitely has me concerned about potential mechanical issues beyond just the sensor wiring. I reached out to a local workshop and they quoted 225€ for a full diagnostic including removal of the tailgate panel to inspect both the hall sensor wiring and mechanical components. They mentioned the sensor calibration would be included if they find any loose connections or need to adjust the power tailgate motor position. Think I will proceed with the full inspection given your experience, particularly checking those motor mount points and struts while they have everything apart. Would rather address all potential issues now than have to remove the panel again later if the grinding noise persists after just fixing the sensor wiring. Will update once I get the full diagnosis back. Your experience with the similar sensor wiring issue has been really helpful in understanding what to expect during the repair process.