The trunk button on the ŠKODA Yeti does not work: 7 reasons and how to fix it

You are standing at the car with your hands full of purchases, pressing the button to open the trunk. ŠKODA Yeti - but nothing happens. Is this a familiar situation? A malfunctioning trunk button is one of the most annoying breakdowns that can take you by surprise at the most inopportune moment. In this article we will look at all the possible reasons why the trunk button stopped working, - from a banal dead battery to serious problems with the electric drive.

It is important to understand that the trunk opening system is Yeti (especially in models 2009–2017 years) includes several components: the button itself on the key or in the interior, electric lock drive, fuses, relays and wiring. The failure of even one element can paralyze the operation of the entire system. We won't limit ourselves to general advice - you'll get step-by-step instructions with photographs of key components and error codes, which will help accurately diagnose the problem.

If you are not confident in your abilities or the problem is related to electronics, it is better to contact an authorized dealer ŠKODA or a trusted auto electrician. But many malfunctions can be eliminated yourself - for example, replacing the fuse or cleaning the button contacts. Next, we will analyze each scenario in detail.

1. Diagnosis of the problem: button on the key vs button in the cabin

The first thing to determine is which button is not working?. On ŠKODA Yeti The trunk can be opened in three ways:

• 🔑 Button on the alarm key fob (remote opening)
• 🚗 Interior button (usually located on the panel to the left of the driver or under the trunk handle)
• 🔧 Mechanical method - with a key in the lock or an emergency cable

If it doesn't work just a button on the key fob, the problem is most likely in the remote control itself (the battery is dead, the board is damaged) or in the signal receiver in the car. If it doesn't respond button in the cabin, either its mechanism or electrical wiring is to blame. What if the trunk doesn't open? not in any way - the problem is in the lock drive or mechanical locking.

Do a quick test:

1. Try opening the trunk from the key fob, then from the button in the cabin.
2. If none of the methods work, check whether the drive makes a sound when pressed (clicking or buzzing).
3. Try opening the trunk with a key in a mechanical lock (on some models Yeti it is hidden under a plug).

2. The battery in the key fob is dead or the remote control is faulty

The most common but common reason is dead battery in the key. On keychains ŠKODA Yeti element is usually used CR2032 or CR2026. If the door release button works but the trunk does not, the problem may be in the contacts of the button or in its microswitch.

How to check:

• 🔋 Replace the battery with a new one (costs pennies, sold at any electronics store).
• 🔍 Inspect the key fob board for oxidation or damage (especially after exposure to moisture).
• 📱 Try reprogramming the remote control (instructions are in the car manual, usually you need to insert the key into the ignition and follow the sequence of actions).

If replacing the battery does not help, the button on the remote control may be faulty. In this case you can:

• 🛠️ Disassemble the key fob and clean the button contacts with alcohol.
• 🔄 Buy a new remote control (the original one will cost 3–5 thousand rubles., Chinese analogues are cheaper, but may not be suitable).
• 📲 Contact a service center to diagnose the signal receiver in the car (sometimes the problem is in the antenna or comfort unit).

3. Problems with wiring and fuses

If the button in the cabin does not respond, the first thing you need to check is fuse. B ŠKODA Yeti The fuse is responsible for the electric trunk operation F36 (10 A) in the fuse box under the steering wheel. A fuse may also be involved F42 (15 A), responsible for the central locking.

How to find and check fuses:

1. Open the fuse box cover (located to the left of the steering wheel, under the instrument panel).
2. Find fuses F36 and F42 (their location is indicated on the back of the cover).
3. Remove the fuses and check them visually (a blown one will have a broken thread) or using a multimeter.
4. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one same denomination.

If the fuses are intact, but the button does not work, the problem may be:

• 🔌 Broken wiring (wires in the corrugation between the body and the trunk lid often fray).
• 🔄 A faulty relay (there may be J393 — central locking relay).
• 📡 Damaged comfort unit (BCM), which controls electric drives.

How to check the central locking relay?

Relay J393 located in the same block as the fuses. To test it, you can swap it with a known working relay (for example, a fan relay). If after replacement the trunk works, the relay is faulty and needs to be replaced.

element	Location	Symptoms of a problem	Replacement cost
fuse F36	Fuse box under steering wheel	The trunk and central locking buttons do not work	50–200 rub.
Relay J393	Relay box under the steering wheel	Clicks when pressing the button, but the trunk does not open	300–800 rub.
Comfort block (BCM)	Behind the dashboard	Several electric drives do not work (window lifters, locks)	5,000–15,000 rub.
Wiring to the trunk drive	Corrugation between body and cover	Intermittent operation, then complete failure	1,000–3,000 rub. (depending on the amount of work)

4. Malfunction of the electric trunk lock drive

If the fuses and wiring are in order, but the trunk does not open either from the key fob or from the button in the cabin, the problem is most likely electric lock. On ŠKODA Yeti a drive with a motor is used, which wears out or jams over time.

Signs of a drive malfunction:

• 🔊 When you press the button, you hear a click, but the trunk does not open (the motor tries to work, but is mechanically blocked).
• 🔇 Complete silence - the drive shows no signs of life.
• 🔄 The trunk opens after 5–10 attempts (contacts or gears are worn out).

How to diagnose and repair:

1. Remove the trunk lid trim (you will need a screwdriver and a plastic puller).
2. Locate the electric drive (located next to the lock, usually on the right side).
3. Check whether voltage is supplied to it when the button is pressed (with a multimeter in 20V DC).
4. If there is voltage, but the drive does not work, the motor is most likely burned out or the mechanism is jammed.

Repairing the drive is possible, but it is often easier to replace the entire drive. New original drive (5Q0 827 851 for Yeti after 2013) costs approx. 4–6 thousand rubles., analogues are cheaper (2–3 thousand rubles.). If you decide to repair an old one, be prepared for what may be required:

• 🔧 Replacing gears (plastic teeth often wear out).
• 🧲 Cleaning and lubricating the mechanism (use WD-40 or silicone grease).
• 🔌 Soldering contacts (if the wires have oxidized or fallen off).

Remove the trunk lid trim|Check the voltage at the drive connector|Inspect the mechanism for jamming|Check the integrity of the gears|Lubricate the moving parts-->

5. Mechanical breakdowns: lock, cables, hinges

Sometimes the problem lies not in the electrical system, but in mechanics. For example:

• 🔐 The trunk latch is rusty or jammed (especially if the car is often parked in the rain).
• 🔗 The emergency opening cable has broken (it connects the lock to the handle inside the trunk).
• 🚪 The trunk lid is warped (for example, after an accident or careless opening).

How to check the mechanics:

1. Try opening the trunk key in a mechanical lock (on some Yeti it is hidden under a plastic plug on the right).
2. If the key does not turn or turns with difficulty, the lock is rusty. Lubricate it WD-40 or liquid key.
3. If the key turns, but the trunk does not open, the problem is in the cable or drive.
4. Check if the cover is warped: try pressing it with your hands and pressing the button at the same time.

If the emergency opening cable is broken, you can replace it yourself. To do this:

1. Remove the trunk trim.
2. Find where the cable attaches to the lock and handle.
3. Disconnect the old cable and install a new one (costs approx. 500–1,000 rub.).

6. Problems with the comfort module (BCM) and software failures

In rare cases, the trunk button malfunction is due to comfort block (BCM) — it controls all electric drives in the car, including the central locking. If the unit starts to glitch, it may ignore commands from the buttons or send incorrect signals to the drive.

Signs of problems with BCM:

• 🚨 Several systems stop working at the same time (for example, power windows + locks + heated seats).
• 🔄 The trunk opens spontaneously or with a delay.
• 📛 Errors related to the central locking light up on the dashboard (U111300, B114213 etc.).

What you can do:

• 🔄 Reset settings BCM (disconnect the battery for 10–15 minutes).
• 📡 Check the unit for errors using a diagnostic scanner (for example, VCDS or OBDeleven).
• 🔧 If the unit is faulty, it will have to be replaced or reflashed (the cost of a new BCM - from 10,000 rub.).

Software failures can also occur after an unsuccessful firmware update or connection of an abnormal alarm system. If you recently installed a car alarm, check whether it conflicts with the standard central locking system.

How to reset BCM settings on ŠKODA Yeti?

1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.

2. Wait 10–15 minutes (this is necessary for the capacitors in the unit to discharge).

3. Reconnect the terminal.

4. Start the car and check the operation of the trunk.

If the reset does not help, diagnostics with a scanner is required.

7. What to do if the trunk is stuck closed

The most unpleasant situation is when the trunk completely blocked and does not open in any way. In this case, follow the algorithm:

1. 🔋 Check the battery charge - if it is low, the electric drive will not work. Recharge the battery or “light it” from another car.
2. 🔑 Try opening the trunk with the key in the mechanical lock (if you have one). On some Yeti The lock is hidden under a plug - you can pry it off with a screwdriver.
3. 🚗 If the key does not help, try to get to the emergency cable from the passenger compartment:
   • Fold down the rear seats.
   • Remove the plastic plug in the trunk opening (it is usually secured with latches).
   • Find the emergency release cable (usually a bright color) and pull it.

🔧 If the cable is torn or missing, you will have to remove the trunk lid trim from the inside (this is more difficult, but possible through the interior).

⚠️ Attention: if you are not confident in your abilities, do not try to open the trunk by force - you may damage the hinges or the body. It is better to call a tow truck to the service center, where specialists will carefully open the lock.

If you managed to open the trunk, don't close ituntil you eliminate the cause of the breakdown! Otherwise, you risk jamming the mechanism again.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the ŠKODA Yeti trunk button

Is it possible to open the trunk if the battery in the key fob is dead?

Yes, there are several ways:

• Use mechanical key in the trunk lock (if it is included in your configuration).
• Open trunk from the salon — with a button on the panel or via the emergency cable (you need to fold the rear seats).
• Charge the key fob from another device (some models support wireless charging).

Why does the trunk button work every once in a while?

This is a typical sign:

• Contact wear in the button (the microswitch needs to be cleaned or replaced).
• Bad contact in the drive connector (check the wires for oxidation).
• Relay faults central locking (try replacing it with a known working one).
• Weak battery — at low voltage the electric drive may operate unstably.

How much does it cost to repair a trunk button at a service center?

The cost depends on the cause of the breakdown:

Type of repair	Cost (RUB)
Replacing the battery in the key fob	50–200 (on your own)
Replacing the fuse	100–500 (in service)
Repair/replacement of trunk drive	3 000–8 000
Replacing the comfort unit (BCM)	10 000–20 000
Electrical diagnostics	1 000–2 500

Prices are indicated for Moscow and may vary in regions.

Is it possible to drive if the trunk button does not work?

Yes, this is not a critical malfunction, but it creates inconvenience. The main thing is to make sure that the trunk securely closed and will not open spontaneously while driving. If the problem is electrical, there is a risk that other systems (for example, central locking) will also fail.

If the trunk is stuck in open condition, driving is not recommended - it disrupts aerodynamics and can damage the hinges.

Where is the emergency trunk release cable located on Yeti?

On most ŠKODA Yeti The emergency opening cable is located:

• Behind a plastic plug in the trunk opening (visible if you fold the rear seats).
• Near the trunk lock (can be reached by removing the lid trim).

The cable is usually brightly colored (red, orange or yellow) and has a loop for manual opening.