Drop down tailgate stuck!!!!

hi all. im new to this forum so hopefully i can get some good help here.

my problem is the tailgat on my p38 range rover is stuck. cant drop it down.
was like it when i bought it about a month ago. the problem i found was that the mechanism in the middle of tailgate was sticking. so i had t drop it down manually. then i closed it to check something and now the rod leeding to the passenger side lock has come out or lock. my hand dont fit up the gap so i dont no where the rod goes. dont no if there is a little clip somewhere to release the lock or what. i load alot of heavy stuff in the car so would be brilliant to get these locks off clean and greese them so i can load with ease.

so how can you open the bottom tailgate with out the use of the solonoid????

Thanks for any help in advance.
Mike.

can u not unscrew the solinoid,to give some room for you to put the rod back into the latch at the side of the tailgate

Have you got the carpet board off the tailgate? If so you are half way there. From memory I think it is a centrally mounted pivot to which two rods are attached and when the solenoid pings it effectively rocks the pivot and pulls both rods at the same time. Think of a 'Z' shape with a pivot in the middle. Each point of the Z moves away from each other pulling the rod and releasing the mechanism. Its a simple override if you can get to it which you will if the board is off. Long nose pliers or a thin screwdriver is all you need. Best way is to have a look at someones or in a breakers and get a mental picture. If you havent removed the board its simply three plastic twist rivets under the 6" wide plastic ridge plate which is folded up then slip it down from the channel below the window. If you damage it there are plenty in breakers for the getting.

thanks for reply guys but it not the z shape things in the middle thats the problem. the rod has come out of the lock on the passenger side and there is no space for me to see how it goes back. if i cant get the rod back into the lock then how can i unlock the latch on the passenger side. i have tried for hours to try get this rod to go in the lock but im doing it blind as i dont no where its suppoded to go in the first place plus i cant see sod all cos there aint no space to get my hand up. i can just about touch the lock and i think the rod goes into a hole on lock. not 100% on that tho.

what i need to know is there anyway that anyone knows of that i can unlock the lock on oassenger side with using the solonoid of the rods to unlock so i can get all the locks fixed????

If you can see the hole in the lock would it be easier to maybe use a wire coat hanger bent into shape stick it in the hole and open it then strip it and sort it out or isn`t it that simple?

If you can borrow an endoscope (not a medical one but they are available for about £80) then stick that up the hole, so to speak, then fiddle around with your coat hanger wire. Other than that it's pure trial and error which you already have done or cut a hole in the tailgate at the lock which you can cover up again with the carpet board or get one from a breakers to replace it.

i take it it is just a little hook in the lock????
i have tried the coat hanger trick. so fricking fiddly, never worked.
i was thinking of cutting a hole next, not that i really want to but looks like my only choice. thanks for the help peeps.
mike

Looking at Rave the rod needs to go in at 90deg and then down. I'd say virtually impossible with the lock in place. Cut a hole inboard of the lock with a hole saw and pop it then with a coat hanger.