Central Console - replacing the tailgate window switch

vladd · Dec 1, 2023

Hi all,

Hoping someone with a bit more insight could help guide me.

A month or so ago, when I just bought my 2005 Freelander, the tailgate window lowered itself down and refused to come back up.

Took it to a mechanic who managed to "shock" the window back in place - he left me with the understanding that the central console switch was at fault.

It seemed that the regulator was only receiving the electrical input to make it go down and nothing would happen when I would press the button for it to go up.

I bought a new switch from eBay and I was now wondering if anyone would be so kind as to explain what the replacement procedure would be.

Can I pry the old switch out or is it a matter of removing the central console cover?

Nodge68 · Dec 1, 2023

The switch will just pull out, or you can remove the cubby box (under the arm rest) and push the switch from behind. I've never heard of one of those switches going wrong though, the control relays for the window are more likely to give issues.

vladd · Dec 1, 2023

Thank you very much for your response, this is my first car so I appreciate your help

The relay is my second guess - I placed an order for one already and will try replacing it.

Is there any chance I could ask for a reference on which relay is which? Can't seem to spot any diagrams in the manual

From what I can research I understand that from left to right - is Main Beam / HRW / Accessory Socket / Auxiliary / Window / Flasher unit. Would this be correct?

Many thanks again!

GrumpyGel · Dec 1, 2023

vladd said:
Thank you very much for your response, this is my first car so I appreciate your help

The relay is my second guess - I placed an order for one already and will try replacing it.

Is there any chance I could ask for a reference on which relay is which? Can't seem to spot any diagrams in the manual

From what I can research I understand that from left to right - is Main Beam / HRW / Accessory Socket / Auxiliary / Window / Flasher unit. Would this be correct?

Many thanks again!

I believe the relays are behind the lining on the RH side of the boot. 1/it is a 2 way relay I believe.

The Rave workshop manual has wiring diagrams with connector names and pictures of all connector locations so that you can identify them...

Rave disk maintenance manual

I'm putting this ere so I can link to it. If you can see adverts on this page selling car repair manuals, DONT click on them. They're sneaky adverts from google which detect words used in this fred, on the chance you will be attracted to click on said advert. The adverts are trying to get you...

www.landyzone.co.uk

J_D · Dec 2, 2023

I would say never believe fully what you've been told. How anyone can diagnose an issue without testing is just a miracle or educated guess.
I would locate the control box and check it's input and output.
The regulator only has 2 wires and the polarity is reversed to go up or down.
Does the window go down and up a small amount when opening the door?

Alibro · Dec 3, 2023

Did he indicate what he meant by "shock it into place"?
Does the window still drop to let you open the boot door?
The boot window is controlled by the body control module but but relies on several other things like the boot door switch and lock mechanism to work correctly and these commonly fail.

GrumpyGel · Dec 3, 2023

Alibro said:
Did he indicate what he meant by "shock it into place"?
Does the window still drop to let you open the boot door?
The boot window is controlled by the body control module but but relies on several other things like the boot door switch and lock mechanism to work correctly and these commonly fail.

...and the sensors and park location of the rear wiper.

vladd · Dec 4, 2023

GrumpyGel said:
I believe the relays are behind the lining on the RH side of the boot. 1/it is a 2 way relay I believe.

The Rave workshop manual has wiring diagrams with connector names and pictures of all connector locations so that you can identify them...

Rave disk maintenance manual

I'm putting this ere so I can link to it. If you can see adverts on this page selling car repair manuals, DONT click on them. They're sneaky adverts from google which detect words used in this fred, on the chance you will be attracted to click on said advert. The adverts are trying to get you...

www.landyzone.co.uk

thank you very much for sharing this with me, makes for some very interesting reading

vladd · Dec 4, 2023

J_D said:
I would say never believe fully what you've been told. How anyone can diagnose an issue without testing is just a miracle or educated guess.
I would locate the control box and check it's input and output.
The regulator only has 2 wires and the polarity is reversed to go up or down.
Does the window go down and up a small amount when opening the door?

Hi Thank you for sharing your thoughts, the switch lowers the window but won't bring it back up. I can hear a faint clicking noise when pressed but nothing happens. I have not touched it since the mechanic got it back up in fear I would be stuck with it open again.

Nodge68 · Dec 5, 2023

vladd said:
Hi Thank you for sharing your thoughts, the switch lowers the window but won't bring it back up. I can hear a faint clicking noise when pressed but nothing happens. I have not touched it since the mechanic got it back up in fear I would be stuck with it open again.

Does it drop and rise when the door is opened and closed?

vladd · Dec 5, 2023

Nodge68 said:
Does it drop and rise when the door is opened and closed?

Hello,

It does not anymore,

Nodge68 · Dec 5, 2023

vladd said:
Hello,

It does not anymore,

That suggest an issue with the controlling system, rather than the console switch.

vladd · Dec 5, 2023

Nodge68 said:
That suggest an issue with the controlling system, rather than the console switch.

I see, might be a bit out of my depth on this one, can I ask if you have any thoughts on how one would go around to check / fix this?

Alibro · Dec 6, 2023

Nodge68 said:
That suggest an issue with the controlling system, rather than the console switch.

Or the mechanic jammed it in with a lump of wood, or even disconnected it.
Until you take the door card off and look at it you won't know what he has done.
4 screws at the bottom and yank it from the bottom to take it off.

vladd · Dec 6, 2023

Alibro said:
Or the mechanic jammed it in with a lump of wood, or even disconnected it.
Until you take the door card off and look at it you won't know what he has done.
4 screws at the bottom and yank it from the bottom to take it off.

I understand that he used one of those electric "wands" that would push a current to the relevant mechanism. He took the window panel away, looked for the correct wire, and jolted it "manually" until the window was brought back up, hence his "diagnosis" that the switch was at fault. He also said that the regulator was replaced recently.

I am being led to believe that the switch is only making the connection for the current to pass through to the lowering mechanism whilst the lifting mechanism won't receive any power.

The switch is looking worse for wear, as can be seen in the photo I attached in my original photo, but like I mentioned previously, it does work on the down, nothing happens on the up.

andyfreelandy · Dec 6, 2023

Oh dear. If he fed current into the motor while connected that could have damaged the central control unit.

Have a look as suggested. Maybe just an easy swap of the regulator mechanism that moves the glass. Hope so...

Central Console - replacing the tailgate window switch

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