[SubaruTribeca]

Hello!

Trunk hatch wont open on my tribeca anymore. It does not to anything anymore actually. Where to start looking for a problem? Help needed!

 

[avk]

Might be the switch in the door handle. To start, I guess you'd want to open the tailgate manually. There's a plug in the trim panel covering a spot where you can insert a tool. It should be in the owner's manual. After that you can remove the trim and take a look. Cold weather isn't the best for working with plastic. It's probably below freezing right now in Estonia.

 

[Flat6er]

Screenshot - picture says more than 1000 words

 

[SubaruTribeca]

Ok guys. Thanks for the tips. Start to investigate problem. Btw we have about -5°C at the moment. So yeah its below freezing here.

 

[Mbarton]

The lock actuator could very well be frozen, I had a few odd issues when I was up in Colorado just a couple of weeks ago. It got way below freezing -2 or less like you. I recommend not messing with anything until it warms up, And then make sure there is no excess moisture or Ice getting in.

As for the fix, Start simple, since the lock is fully electronic with an emergency lever. When you do use the lever to open it check for any dirt or ice inside the pannel. Check nothing is blocking the latch, And that the wires are fully intact. Then move onto fuses it could have been you tried to open it and It was frozen and the actuator blu the fuse.

Let us know!

 

[SubaruTribeca]

Yes that could be the issue. My wife is driving the car at the moment and she announced that lock suddenly started to work when weather got bit warmer. And then later same day hatch didnt open again. There could be very well some moisture inside or a bad contact. I will be home tomorrow and investigate the problem.

 

[SubaruTribeca]

PROBLEM SOLVED! The problem was in the trunk hatch switch. The protective rubber around the switch was broken and moisture got inside causing switch not to operate.
Besides the minus temperatures here in Estonia(about -2 celsius) the work was not that complicated. I managed to remove the whole trim panel while breaking only one of the
fixing studs😄. And thats using only big flathead screwdriver and not special trim removal tool. So, only way to access the switch is to remove the whole trim panel. Then you will see
the switch from inside. I pulled also a list outside the hatch holding the number plate lights bit away to get the switch out from its hole. Then I made short thin jumper wire and shorted
the switch connector ends to simulate switch operation. There is a connector close where you can remove the switch. And woilaa, latch working every time I shorted the connector.
Now need to order a new switch and put everything back together. So if anybody have similar problem in future you might know where to start looking the problem first. Also you can
check switch protective rubber at first place before starting to make any removal of panels at all.
PS! Does anybody know where could be the best place to order online, ebay maybe?

 

[avk]

The part number is 63270XA00A.

 

[SubaruTribeca]

Does anybody know cheaper place to order than subaru original car parts dealer, preferably in europe? Found original part 61$ + 69$ shipping.

 

[SubaruTribeca]

Of course it is possible to open up the switch and clean the contacts. After put some silicon spray on the contacts. Works but nobody can say for how long.😀

 

[Flat6er]

Just find local subaru guys who have discounts in dealership. My guess - your local dealership prices should be around 80-90bucks.
aaand other option - research rrr.lt and other lithuanian online stores. some guys from Latvia order original parts somewhere in Lithuania (because Latvian dealerships can't offer good prices).
Or if you want to wait - I can get it here in USA for roughly 60bucks and bring it in June to Latvia - shipping to Estonia is cheaper then, right?
p.s. some guys from Estonia are in Tribeca telegram chat - you can try them too.

 

[Mbarton]

That's extremely nice of you, Do you go there often?

 

[avk]

Otsing - Ristmik autovaruosad

ristmik.ee

Hope this works for you.

 

[Flat6er]

That's extremely nice of you, Do you go there often?

well... that's how it goes - you help somebody, somebody helps you. Usually - once a year.

Otsing - Ristmik autovaruosad

ristmik.ee

Hope this works for you.

good price!

 

[SubaruTribeca]

Ok. Thank guys for all that information. For now i managed to fix the old switch by cleaning contacts and covering with silicon spray. Lets see how long it lasts. It is very simple to open up the switch by the way.

V6er, for now it is ok you dont need to make me that favour but thank you!😀
This price 39€ here in one online store looks a bit suspicious but who knows. Especially this word LAMP in the end of search word. In ebay was also good price but everywhere was out of stock. In the other hand there is a phone nr. to confirm correct part. It is not so easy to get all this US car parts here with good price although. If switch will break down again i'll definately need a new piece😉

 

[avk]

Sometimes the part name does not make sense. I did notice "LAMP" there, it might be just because the switch sits in between the license plate lights. Anyway, shopping by number should work and the price seems to be in line with what you can get from US dealers (under 60 USD). I suppose in the EU there's also a substantial tax on top of that?

 

[Flat6er]

SubaruTribeca, it's not US specific part (like front lights or side mirrors or F***G drivers wiperblade!)

 

[SubaruTribeca]

SubaruTribeca, it's not US specific part (like front lights or side mirrors or F***G drivers wiperblade!)

It is just because its hard to get those parts in europe. This car was not made for eu market.

 

[Flat6er]

you kiddin', right?
Tribeca was specifically made different USDM and EDM (mirrors, front lights as more noticeable differences). they made it even with steering wheel on the right for Australia/New Zealand...

 

[avk]

All versions were manufactured in the US and perhaps some US-sourced parts would be harder to find in stock at international distributors, but this little switch is made in Japan.