Are you concerned that your 2008 VW Rabbit hatch won’t open?
We understand how stressful this may be. After all, if you cannot open the hatch, then you are unable to access some items in your trunk. This is definitely inconvenient when you really have to get something out of it. This is why it helps to understand why the hatch won’t open and what you can do about it.
So, in today’s article, we will discuss the causes of a hatch getting stuck and common steps to get it to open. Let’s dive right into it.
Why Your 2008 VW Rabbit Hatch Won’t Open
The lock on your trunk is much like what is used in your car door lock. However, the mechanisms may be slightly different. Nevertheless, they do work in a similar way. These locks tend to get stuck – and there are many reasons why this happens.
But the issue remains – it is most definitely inconvenient when you have to deal with your 2008 VW Rabbit hatch that is stuck closed. So, it helps to determine what exactly causes this issue and what to do about it.
Now, there are certain reasons why your hatch is stuck and cannot open. Some of the causes may be very simple and would not require professional help. But there are some reasons that are more serious than you think. This is why you would require an expert to get it to open.
One of the most common reasons why it won’t open is that you have the keys locked in your trunk. There are simply some situations when you may have forgotten your keys inside. So, it is difficult for you to open the trunk. In this case, the only thing left to do is to have someone to give you a spare key. By doing so, it should help it open the trunk.
Also, you may have a damaged trunk lock. If this is the situation you are in, this means that the defective lock needs to be fixed by a professional. A locksmith should be able to rectify the situation by replacing a lock that is broken. But if you cannot get a locksmith to fix it right away, then you may want to try accessing your trunk release, which involves lowering your second-row seats. However, you still need to check if your vehicle has this unique functionality before you do it.
Additionally, if you rely on your keyfob to open your trunk, then you need to check if the keyfob is defective. It may have stopped working such as the battery is weak, or it is simply broken. But do keep in mind that older models of vehicles do not need this feature. So, the only thing left to do is to have your dealership fix the issue with the right key.
How To Troubleshoot When 2008 VW Rabbit Hatch Won’t Open
After learning more about the causes of a hatch that won’t open, let us talk about the different methods you can try to get it unstuck. Sometimes, you may be able to do this yourself without having a locksmith to help you.
First, you may want to check the trunk once more. For example, debris may cause the trunk’s rubber to stick. So, you need to inspect if there is dirt causing it to get stuck. Now, this would require force when opening the lid. Try doing this step first before resorting to contacting a locksmith to help you.
In addition to this step, we mentioned earlier that some vehicles have a functionality allowing you to access the trunk through the inside of your car. If this is the case with your vehicle, then you need to lower your second row seats or rear seats. Fold them down until you are able to access the trunk. Then, you should be able to open it properly.
There are also instances when you may be able to crawl into the trunk. Once you are there, then all you need to do is to pull your release mechanism, which should open it. But if you have a broken trunk lock, you may not have any luck with this method. So, the only thing left for you to do is to contact a locksmith for professional assistance.
These are just some DIY solutions that other people have tried and have gotten the result they want. But there are also risks of causing more harm than good to the vehicle. So, we highly advise not to do anything serious to your vehicle that may only damage it. The best thing to do is to have an expert troubleshoot the issue, if you are unsure of how to do it yourself.
By leaving it to the experts, your trunk does not run the risk of more problems. Yet as we have mentioned earlier, if your car relies on the keyfob to open the trunk, then you may want to check if the battery is not dead.
Or perhaps, the car’s battery itself is dead. Thus, you cannot open your trunk from the inside. You may have not been using your car for an extended period, or your alternator is faulty, or perhaps, you had the electrical components running for hours. Hence, the battery has been drained. This is why the hatch won’t open even if you try to do it while inside your car.
So, you need to test your battery and make sure it has charge. Then, you may have to get it replaced if the battery is completely dead and cannot be revived.
Read More: What To Do If The 2016 Toyota Camry Hood Won’t Open?
Wrap Up
When your 2008 VW Rabbit hatch won’t open, we understand how inconvenient this is. Anytime that your vehicle and its components are acting up, it adds to your problems. Thus, we recommend checking the methods we have shared above. Or, you can have a professional solve the issue once and for all to avoid causing more problems to your car.