Problem with the boot

**Dane** · 4th January 2011, 20:56

My 2003 Vectra started making a strange sound from the boot area. When I turn on the engine or just turn the on the electric (headlights) switch, it sounds like an electric engine is running in the back of the car. I also can't use the button for unlocking the boot anymore, but the unlock button on the car key works just fine.
Has anyone experienced this before? What could be wrong

**Dane** · 4th January 2011, 21:27

Update:
It gets weirder. I went inside to have some food. When I came out the boot button worked again, but the sound remains. I can clearly hear that it's coming from somewhere around the left back lights. I can even hear a slight clicking when the power is off.
I also got a warning that there were a defective light. Investigating the warning I found that the _right_ back light is fading in and out like a dying fluorescent light. The fog lights in the back are also not working.

This is both frustrating and very confusing.

**Dane** · 4th January 2011, 23:38

Okay, so I think I've found the reason for the faint clicking and the fading right tail light:

Removing the right tail light plate (what's the right term?) stopped the clicking. It seems like part of the plug has been damaged. There are clear marks of rust and some of the plastic has melted (what could have caused this?). I'll try to clean it up and see if that would fix it.
I don't know if this it's also the cause of the louder engine-like sound as I didn't start the car. Will find out tomorrow.

Also, I think I know the reason why the boot unlock button didn't work. I have a crappy battery that doesn't always have enough power to start the car. It needs to be replaced (bought a new battery but didn't replace it yet) and it seems that low battery locks functions like power windows and perhaps also the boot lock(?).

Bear with me if my descriptions are retarted. I am am a complete car newbie. Right now I have pretty ambivalent feelings towards my Vectra.

**Big Dave** · 5th January 2011, 02:30

Originally Posted by Dane

It seems like part of the plug has been damaged. There are clear marks of rust and some of the plastic has melted (what could have caused this?).

The technical term is called a high resistance joint. A poor contact is being made between the multisocket and multiplug. It subsequently gets hot because of the poor electrical contact area and melts anything nearby.

**Dane** · 5th January 2011, 08:20

Hi Dave, thanks for the reply. The problems stopped after cleaning, but I assume it's just a temporary solution. What should I change to avoid the problem in the future?

**Big Dave** · 5th January 2011, 11:28

Providing the connections are clean and properly connected you shouldn't have any further problems.

What you should check for though is to make sure the multiplug isn't getting warm. You hand should be able to tell you this when you touch it. If it is still getting warm then the connection is still breaking down and you'll need to replace both the light cluster and plug / connectors on the end of the wiring.