Freelander 1 open and remove tailgate without power?

I have been offered a good tailgate for a very reasonable price, but I will need to go and remove it myself.
The tailgate on the scrap FL1 is currently closed with the window down.
I have to assume that it will be electrically dead.
Is there a way to release the tailgate lock on a FL1 that has no power?
I do have a lithium jump pack so I suppose I could try and power up the car and pop it with the diagnostic tool, or maybe I can squirt 12V directly onto the motor that releases the lock.
However these things can take hours messing around so if there is a simple mechanical way I would love to hear it.

pscan.eu said:

I have to assume that it will be electrically dead.
Is there a way to release the tailgate lock on a FL1 that has no power?

Click to expand...

You need to push the release latch down, so the lock can release.

The lock is moved via an actuator, which simply pulls the release under CCU control. This can be replicated by using a Slim Jim or steel ruler, positioned in the correct place.

Alternatively remove the door card so you can see the lock actuator, then pull it via some implement. A picture speaks a thousand words, so here's one.

Thank you, that's fantastic.
If the glass is down will it be blocking access to that lever? That's why I would need a steel ruler or something and go from the top behind the glass?

You should be able to get at the actuator plunger from the top. Look down between the glass and seal, so you can visualise where the plunger is. You might need a touch to see it though.

It might be worth trying a battery and/or jump leads.

I got the tailgate off. There was some plastic covering the solenoid so a ruler wouldn't do it. The door card was already damaged so I just levered it off. The solenoid is off to one side of the glass so the glass being down wasn't a problem. I pulled the plastic to one side and pushed the top of the solenoid in and the door opened.
The car had no engine and the wiring was a mess.
The biggest problem was that the car was jammed up against a huge bin and the tailgate would only open 8“ so I could only get a swivel head ratchet spanner in there.
Anyway the tailgate is off and it's mine.

Thanks you again.