Electric/remote boot release

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 3:05 pm

Hi,

I was wondering, since most Polos have electric locks all round (including boot), if it's possible to install that boot release button on the dashboard.

Some Polos I've seen have them. Mine only has the remote-control boot release (key). I'm not so sure whether the dash button only unlocks the boot door like the remote or actually pops it open like it used to be in my Fiesta.

Getting that little button would be both cheap and easy, and the boot door is electrically controlled anyways... So what do you guys think? And is there wiring behind the dashboard for it?

Cheers,

Carlos

Scorpio1 · Post by **Scorpio1** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 1:28 am

I've not seen Polo's with it, but... and a big but.... if you do this mod, make sure that when you lock the car the button doesn't work as on the Ford's etc or this invites thieves to smash a window and get whatever is in the boot quickly and easily. (Unless you hide it)?

Also the button should stop working after 4mph or so for obvious saftey reasons.

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 4:08 am

In the Fiesta I had the button was disabled whenever the engine was functioning, in Polos that must be the same...

I'll look further into this mod tomorrow when I leave my car at VW's.

Cheers,

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 1:23 am

Bump!

@polo2k and all people with technical knowledge!

Can this be done?

polo2k · Post by **polo2k** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 2:55 am

ok well you would have to find out which wire in the boot got 12v when you press the boot relese button and then trace it to the front of the car (if it doesnt go to the dash then run a new cable). then you need to fit the switch and fit the boot wire to one terminal and a 12v feed to the other then the button will function the same as the remote but will also work at any time so then we need to figure out some kind of system to make it live only at a certain time this could work by taking the live from the feed for the radio so that its only live when the key is in the first position. as for the non function when the car is running im a little stuck but off the top of my head run the 12v feed through the contacts on a relay and use an ignition feed to power the relay so that you get this:

no key in ign- no power to switch

key in ign in 1st pos- swith active with feed from radio flowing through the relay contacts then the switch and then on to the boot

ign on- radio feed live but relay contacts open to cut the circuit to the switch
this system may however burn out relays if you do a lot of long distance driving but i imagine if you get heavy duty relays then you should be ok
plus i think i would possibly be tempted to add a second switch to bypass the ign relay so that if you are parked and want to open the boot while the engine is running you need to press 2 buttons as a kind of security feature

on second thoughts i have seen quite a few clios with electric boot release and they fit a small push button switch upside down (so your pressing up) inside a little cubby hole so that it cannot be accidentilly pressed

des_pd_ tdi · Post by **des_pd_ tdi** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 2:50 pm

On the key fob the electric boot button only unlocks the boot and does not pop it open. If you then open your boot take out or put in what you want and then shut the boot it will lock automatically for you. ( a kind of too much shopping/ luggage etc in your arms to manually lock the boot feature)

Why do you need a boot release feature when you already have it on the key?

des_pd_ tdi · Post by **des_pd_ tdi** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 2:53 pm

Actually after thinking about my response there is a boot release button on the Passat, this would give you a proper illuminated VW button - if that's what your after!!