T5.1 Tailgate lift/upgrade to T6 tailgate

Matty B T5.1

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VIP Member
Hi All,

I've found a few threads about going from barn doors to tailgate and for how to use the old T5 tailgate loom to put in the T6 tailgate, but I haven't seen anyone discuss if you can simply use the T6 loom already fitted to the T6 tailgate to get it locking correctly and working.

My question is, please, can I use the new T6 tailgate with its original T6 loom and put that in my T5.1 to replace the old tailgate fully?

My new tailgate has a full loom up to the 17 pin plugs past the grommit to interior, the original door handle and switch and locks, number plate lights, wiper motor/washer and third brake light are all connected still so saves hassle with plug differences . Is the T6 tailgate loom connector block the same as the T5.1 where it connects just past the interior/grommit, or different?

Also, I realise I will also need two additional wires to the BCM and found this information from an older thread, hoping this is still correct if using a T6 loom? My only question on this part is, if its correct, do i still need an earth if i already had a tailgate previously on the current T5.1, wouldn't it have already had one , or no because it was not an electrical lock like the T6 and was mechanical (hence reason its now required)?


Taken from another thread-
"You need to add 2 wires to the tailgate connector from the BCM, one for the switches, and one for the lock.

Connections.
The tailgate has it's own harness with a 17pin connector joining it to the van.
1 - Lock - From Pin14 on the tailgate 17pin connector to Pin10 on the black plug of the BCM.
2 - Switch - From Pin13 on the tailgate 17pin connector to Pin23 on the black plug of the BCM. (If you want any additional switches to open the tailgate, just add another switch in parallel earthing Pin23 from the BCM)
3 - The tailgate needs an earth. Pin 15 needs connecting to the earth point down the D-Pillar near the rear light.

Coding
Now you need to tell the BCM that a tailgate is fitted and it needs to look for the switch signal.
Using VCDS, go to Module 9 Central Electrics and enable these.
Byte 01 Bit 5 Central Locking/Rear Lid: Contact controlled on detent
Byte 01 Bit 7 Central Locking/Rear Lid: Rear Lid Locking/Unlocking via Central Locking
Byte 07 Bit 5 Central Locking/Rear Lid: One-Motor-Lock installed
(This is from memory, hopefully someone can check it)

Testing
Hopefully at this point your tailgate is working correctly.

To test the lock, you can manually trigger it using VCDS.

09-Rear Lid-Output test.jpg



VCDS monitors if the latch is fully engaged or not. Select Measuring Blocks Group 006:

Field 2, field 3 = "Open", "Open" = when rear lid fully open
Field 2, field 3 = "Closed", "Open" = when rear lid ajar (at first latch).
In the picture below the lid was obviously closed.

To check if the BCM is getting the signal to open the lock, the status shown in
Group 008, field 4 just indicates that the switch is pressed or not.

09-Rear lid-Meas.Blocks_a.jpg
 
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One additional question sorry, i have started stripping my existing t5.1 tailgate of panel, curtains and interior handle etc and also taken down the roof lining/led lights in the rear of the van, i can see the wiring going to the rear down the near side of the van, but cant see any 17 pin connector going into the tailgate, does anyone know if all tailgates versions have the 17 pin connector and i therefore haven't looked hard enough or am i right in my belief that some just have wires only and no 17 pin connector?

I read on google that some connectors are low down on the D pillar but that doesn't seem to make sense given that the wires are at high level. Any knowledge of this would be great thanks, just wanted to know if i need to go delving deeper... thanks
 
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As as update i have managed to answer a lot of my own queries and have now finally reached the stage where the T6 tailgate is now fitted and wired up to the point the locks are fully working on the key as intended, i used the original T5.1 tailgate loom.

It turns out that my concerns about the wiring loom were unwarranted, as my t5.1 had the electric handle already, and therefore the wiring to the T6 handle was almost identical bar from some minor shaving of some connectors. Shaved third brake light connector block (two wire) and tailgate handle connector block (two wire).

I have fitted the new T6 quarter panels and T6 THQ black tinted sequential lights and re-pinned to suit. Everything is working so far, bar a little bit of vcds coding needed to code out the bulb warning light on the dash for the (assumed) T6 number plate LEDs, and the double timing for the indicators inside the cab, (outside it all works perfectly, no bulbs out or fast flashing) if not VCDS coding it may just need an inline canbus ballast on each light (will update when fixed).

i was lucky in that i had the T6 loom with my tailgate when purchased so i could check the wiring connectors for differences and as they looked very similar i just went for it.

I have now also added an internal button for unlocking the tailgate from inside the van when unlocked, this was very easy, a £7.99 momentary switch/button off Amazon, made a quick wiring loom and wired into the T6 tailgate handle electric connector (two pin), (can show anyone who wants to do this too or even do it for them). I mounted mine on the wiper motor housing plastic trim nicely, looks good and works a treat. I assume this would work for a T5.1, T6 or T6.1 as long as you have an electric handle.

I did have to strip the t6 loom down to use the T6 number plate light connectors as they are completely different to the t5.1, so i just soldered these together and wired in line cutting out the original T5.1 connector.

As the new T6 tailgate i purchased has a heated rear windscreen and washer/wiper i have stripped out the T6 loom to get the wires/hose to these and next stage is to get them threaded through the tailgate and into position, then work out how to wire them through the van to the BCM and fuse points and code them etc...

To do this, i bought a second hand VW golf mk6 heater control (with heated rear screen button select and AC which i don't have, but looks good) and stereo/heater surround (pictured) so will be trying to get these installed and set up to work soon. I already upgraded my stalks to install cruise control previously, and this already has the backward press function for the rear wiper washer and wiper itself, so nothing new needed there i hope. I also purchased a T6 full length of washer hose from a scrapped T6 van, and the washer motor with dual outlet so have that in hand too.

Will do more updates as it comes together more,

Cheers

Matt

vw t6 tailgate.webp

VW t5.1 heater fascia and controls.webp
 
I have now also added an internal button for unlocking the tailgate from inside the van when unlocked, this was very easy, a £7.99 momentary switch/button off Amazon, made a quick wiring loom and wired into the T6 tailgate handle electric connector (two pin), (can show anyone who wants to do this too or even do it for them). I mounted mine on the wiper motor housing plastic trim nicely, looks good and works a treat. I assume this would work for a T5.1, T6 or T6.1 as long as you have an electric handle.




View attachment 299193

View attachment 299194
The momentary switch mod has been covered extensively in previous threads. I did mine a few days ago for the grand sum of about a fiver....(ebay special switch and 2 positaps, left over wire)
 
Thanks for taking the time to post this, i have done barn door to tailgate 8 months ago and still haven't got around to wiring it in yet, and have had to start again with working out the wires to run as its been so long !
I also will be adding extra wires to bcm and vcds coding for the hrw and tailgate wash wipe as I didn't have either on my barn doors, so your thread will be useful ! Ta
 
Nice write up Matt. I’m doing the same job in a few weeks to mine. Also a 5.1 with electronic opening already going to T6 gate. I might need to glen some of your experience doing this when I start mine 😁👍🏾. I just need to decide on and purchase rear lights and I’ve everything I need. Tailgate is currently in Bodyshop’s getting a bit of work and an outer handle delete. I’ve got a kufatec harness with momentary switch to open from the inside.
The connectors you had to shave down, could you just remove from the 6 harness and replace/solder onto the 5.1 harness?
 
As as update i have managed to answer a lot of my own queries and have now finally reached the stage where the T6 tailgate is now fitted and wired up to the point the locks are fully working on the key as intended, i used the original T5.1 tailgate loom.

It turns out that my concerns about the wiring loom were unwarranted, as my t5.1 had the electric handle already, and therefore the wiring to the T6 handle was almost identical bar from some minor shaving of some connectors. Shaved third brake light connector block (two wire) and tailgate handle connector block (two wire).

I have fitted the new T6 quarter panels and T6 THQ black tinted sequential lights and re-pinned to suit. Everything is working so far, bar a little bit of vcds coding needed to code out the bulb warning light on the dash for the (assumed) T6 number plate LEDs, and the double timing for the indicators inside the cab, (outside it all works perfectly, no bulbs out or fast flashing) if not VCDS coding it may just need an inline canbus ballast on each light (will update when fixed).

i was lucky in that i had the T6 loom with my tailgate when purchased so i could check the wiring connectors for differences and as they looked very similar i just went for it.

I have now also added an internal button for unlocking the tailgate from inside the van when unlocked, this was very easy, a £7.99 momentary switch/button off Amazon, made a quick wiring loom and wired into the T6 tailgate handle electric connector (two pin), (can show anyone who wants to do this too or even do it for them). I mounted mine on the wiper motor housing plastic trim nicely, looks good and works a treat. I assume this would work for a T5.1, T6 or T6.1 as long as you have an electric handle.

I did have to strip the t6 loom down to use the T6 number plate light connectors as they are completely different to the t5.1, so i just soldered these together and wired in line cutting out the original T5.1 connector.

As the new T6 tailgate i purchased has a heated rear windscreen and washer/wiper i have stripped out the T6 loom to get the wires/hose to these and next stage is to get them threaded through the tailgate and into position, then work out how to wire them through the van to the BCM and fuse points and code them etc...

To do this, i bought a second hand VW golf mk6 heater control (with heated rear screen button select and AC which i don't have, but looks good) and stereo/heater surround (pictured) so will be trying to get these installed and set up to work soon. I already upgraded my stalks to install cruise control previously, and this already has the backward press function for the rear wiper washer and wiper itself, so nothing new needed there i hope. I also purchased a T6 full length of washer hose from a scrapped T6 van, and the washer motor with dual outlet so have that in hand too.

Will do more updates as it comes together more,

Cheers

Matt

View attachment 299193

View attachment 299194
Hi Matty, Brilliant write up ;) I am just about to do the same to my T5.1, I hope its ok to ask a few things ;) I have pretty much everything including the T6.1 wiring loom but I am missing the locking mechanisms, did you use the T5.1 ones or do you need the T6 ones ? I have the outer handle fitted but need the lower latch and the control unit to open the latch. I hope that makes sense ;) . Thanks in advance Rob

IMG_3031.webp

IMG_3029.webp
 
Hiya not to answer your question about compatibility of 5.1 to 6.1 parts but it looks like the loom in your pic already has the extra loom for the internal tailgate release switch..think it’s the blue plugs. It piggybacks onto the lock/ release loom apologies if you already knew that 😀
 
Hiya not to answer your question about compatibility of 5.1 to 6.1 parts but it looks like the loom in your pic already has the extra loom for the internal tailgate release switch..think it’s the blue plugs. It piggybacks onto the lock/ release loom apologies if you already knew that 😀
Hi Squiz,
No need to apologise, I appreciate you being willing to offer advice ;). I do have the T6 loom, I forgot to send the picture I have with the opening handle part fitted, Im just confused on which lock unit I need, I have seen a few videos with people using a T5 lock set but I would prefer to use the correct ones and not have to modify anything. My van is a 2012 caravelle so already has the electrics but not sure if the control unit for the locks are the same. Thanks Rob
 
Just to muddy the waters a bit more…someone more knowledgeable than me will be along but as you have 3 plugs coming out the bottom hole I think you may have the extra loom for child lock as well. My logic being blue is to the outer release handle, one of the black plugs takes care of the locking and I think the other black plug could be the child lock loom ?
My t6 multivan tailgate conversion came with original loom and only has 2 plugs coming out the bottom hole…I don’t have the internal release button loom or child lock function…1plug goes to release handle and other plug takes care of locking.
😊
 
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Just to muddy the waters a bit more…someone more knowledgeable than me will be along but as you have 3 plugs coming out the bottom hole I think you may have the extra loom for child lock as well. My logic being blue is to the outer release handle, one of the black plugs takes care of the locking and I think the other black plug could be the child lock loom ?
My t6 multivan tailgate conversion came with original loom and only has 2 plugs coming out the bottom hole…I don’t have the internal release button loom or child lock function…1plug goes to release handle and other plug takes care of locking.
😊
Thats great info thanks ;) . I was wondering about the wiring. I just need to hopefully find out what locking mech I need as I don't know the original reg I can't get help from VW ;(
Just to muddy the waters a bit more…someone more knowledgeable than me will be along but as you have 3 plugs coming out the bottom hole I think you may have the extra loom for child lock as well. My logic being blue is to the outer release handle, one of the black plugs takes care of the locking and I think the other black plug could be the child lock loom ?
My t6 multivan tailgate conversion came with original loom and only has 2 plugs coming out the bottom hole…I don’t have the internal release button loom or child lock function…1plug goes to release handle and other plug takes care of locking.
😊
Thanks for saying about the wiring, it made me go and check my van, its a 2012 Caravelle Edition 25, I had never noticed before but I have the child lock point fitted and the interior switch ;) Im now hoping because it already has these bits the electric lock actuator and catch may fit straight on ;) . The new tailgate has the hole for the rear camera but I found a good YouTube video of a guy in Germany who modified the T6.1 holder to take the T5.1 camera so thats going to save some money too ;) I just need to get new rear lights, trying to decide on original or the THQ sequential. Centre break light and the outer handle plastic cover ;) then im all good to go I hope ;)
 
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