FAQ
TL;DR: VW Passat B5 trunk won’t open? Shorten the sheath 2–3 cm; "We do not cut the rope, it has a fixed length." Fix the cable and verify actuator power with a 5W test. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456771]
Why it matters: For Passat B5 sedan owners, this shows how to diagnose and fix a locked boot fast without guesswork.
Quick Facts
- Classic symptom: actuator operates but boot stays locked because the cable is broken or slack. [Elektroda, T5, post #17454461]
- Fast diagnostic: plug a 5W bulb into the actuator connector; it should light when you command open. [Elektroda, T5, post #17454431]
- DIY fix: shorten the cable sheath about 2 cm to expose more inner cable and re-seat it. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456771]
- Avoid bulky joiners; oversized connectors reduce cable travel and prevent unlocking. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456635]
- Replacement search terms: “tailgate cable” or “central lock trunk cable”; ask sellers if not listed. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456635]
How do I tell if my Passat B5 trunk problem is the cable or the actuator?
Listen or feel for the actuator during an unlock command. If it operates but the boot stays locked, suspect the cable. In the thread, the actuator worked, but the cable was loose and not pulling the latch. That pattern indicates a snapped or detached cable rather than an electrical fault. "Broken line" was confirmed from the video evidence. [Elektroda, T5, post #17454461]
How do I test the trunk actuator with a 5W bulb?
Unplug the actuator connector on the trunk lid. Insert a 5W test bulb across the connector pins. Press the trunk release; the bulb should light if power reaches the actuator. This isolates wiring and control issues from mechanical ones. If it lights, focus on the cable and latch. If it doesn’t, trace power and ground. [Elektroda, T5, post #17454431]
Where is the actuator connector and how do I access it?
Remove the inner trunk-lid cover to expose the lock assembly. The connector sits at the actuator attached to the latch mechanism. The OP removed the cover, undid two Torx screws, and accessed the lock to open the flap. Follow the same access path to reach the plug. [Elektroda, pacak24, post #17454418]
How do I temporarily repair a snapped trunk lock cable?
Treat it as sheath and inner cable. Remove the torn plastic end, then shorten the sheath to expose more cable. Seat the cable in the lock lever’s hole and secure it. You can use a small electrical connector as the new end, fixed with screws. Do not cut the inner cable itself; adjust only sheath length. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456771]
How much should I shorten the sheath for this repair?
Start with about 2 cm, then check latch travel. You typically have 2–3 attempts before straightening the lock–cylinder arc too much. "We do not cut the rope, it has a fixed length." Only trim the sheath to increase exposed cable. Verify full lever movement before reassembling trim. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456771]
What if my connector is too bulky and the trunk still won’t open?
An oversized connector increases thickness at the lever, reducing effective cable travel. The latch then won’t reach its release point. Use a slimmer crimp or shorten the sheath further so full travel returns. Ensure the cable end seats fully in the lever’s recess. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456635]
Where does the cable usually break on these cars?
Breaks often occur at the white-plastic lever end near the green receiver on the latch. In the thread, nothing protruded from the lever hole because the cable end had torn off there. Inspect this point closely when the trim is off. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17454441]
What’s the proper way to seat the cable end on the lock lever?
Pull the cable to the lever’s end stop and drop the end into the correct hole. It should align like the “green arrow” guidance in the thread, ensuring full lever throw. If it doesn’t reach, reduce sheath length or use a slimmer end. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456526]
Can I buy a new cable, and what is it called?
Yes. Search for a trunk/tailgate cable for the central lock. Use terms like “tailgate cable” or “central lock trunk cable.” Ask sellers directly if you don’t see listings, as some don’t display duplicates. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456635]
How can I manually open the trunk from inside if it’s stuck?
Remove the inner cover, undo the Torx screws, and access the latch. Use a hook to pull the latch release lever and open the flap. Refit only after you’ve tested the electrical and cable action. This provides emergency access without exterior key use. [Elektroda, pacak24, post #17454418]
Can I use an electrical connector as a new cable end?
Yes. A small electrical crimp connector works as an improvised cable tip. Crimp the inner cable into it and secure it so it can’t slip. Keep the profile low to preserve lever travel. This is a practical temporary solution. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17455954]
The bulb lights and the actuator clicks, but the trunk won’t open—what next?
Power is present and the actuator works. Focus on the mechanical side: the cable and lever. A slack or broken cable won’t pull the latch enough to release. Rework the sheath length and end seating until the lever fully travels. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17454441]
Should I ever cut the inner cable itself?
No. The inner cable has a fixed length and must remain intact. Adjust only the sheath to increase exposed cable reach. "We do not cut the rope, it has a fixed length." Cutting the inner cable forces a full replacement. [Elektroda, g107r, post #17456771]
Hello, I have a problem with the tailgate of my Passat b5 after lifts in the morning I opened the tailgate from the trunk and then an hour later it could not be opened either the key button or the key on the door of the key I can not insert from the trunk side and only goes in half and nothing further . So I read in the forum and took off the cover from the inside, unscrewed 2 screws on the torx as I dismantled the triangle and pulled out of the latches and had access to the lock and opened the flap with such a hook. And now I do not know what to do next, I send a video recorded by me because it does not respond to opening from the outside as I pull the handle. Please check and help. 
because he can't 