VW Virtus Tailgate Sensor Failure Causing Open Issues

Had the same problem with my 2016 VW Polo TSI. The automatic tailgate would only open halfway and displayed error messages. The issue turned out to be both a faulty tailgate motor and corroded electrical sensor connections. The repair involved replacing the entire tailgate motor assembly since the hall sensor is integrated into the unit. The wiring harness also needed attention due to moisture damage where the cables run through the tailgate hinge. This is actually a common failure point on VW models from that generation. The sensor calibration process after installation is crucial, without proper calibration, the system will continue throwing errors even with new parts. While not a safety-critical issue, leaving it unfixed can lead to water ingress through the partially sealed tailgate and eventual damage to the cargo area. The repair requires specialized diagnostic equipment to program the new sensor system. Based on your description, the symptoms match exactly what I experienced. Would recommend having a certified shop handle this since proper vehicle sensor programming is needed after parts replacement.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the power tailgate issue, sounds exactly like what I am dealing with on my Virtus. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the full repair? Also wondering if you have had any sensor fault codes or other problems since getting it fixed?

Got good news to share after getting the tailgate hall sensor problem fixed. The repair was much simpler and cheaper than expected, just 95€ to repair a faulty cable connection at the sensor plug. No sensor fault codes or power tailgate issues since the fix. The automatic opening and closing works perfectly now. My mechanic explained that water had caused corrosion in one of the connector pins, which was disrupting the hall sensor signals. Really glad I went to a different shop this time. They diagnosed the actual issue instead of suggesting a complete tailgate motor replacement like others might have. For anyone facing similar symptoms, definitely worth having the wiring connections checked first before replacing major components. The open tailgate function has been flawless for several months now. Pretty relieved it turned out to be just a connection issue rather than needing the whole motor assembly replaced.

Based on my experience this week, I am really glad I asked here first! Took it to a new certified shop that specializes in VW electrical issues. They found corroded sensor wiring near the tailgate hinge, exactly like you described. Total repair came to 180€, which included cleaning the connections, replacing a damaged section of the sensor wiring harness, and recalibrating the power tailgate system. Way better than the 800€ quote I got from my previous mechanic for a complete motor replacement. The automatic tailgate has been working perfectly for the past few days. No more error codes or partial opening issues. Really appreciate your detailed response, it helped me understand the problem better and likely saved me hundreds in unnecessary repairs.