HELP Please.....Tailgate won't open

Hi All,
Just got home from picking up a plasma tv and the tailgate won't unlock. Cannot get it out the side doors so is there a manual overide or is it time to get the crowbar out? 2001 P38.
Thanks, Pete.

pedromac said:

Hi All,
Just got home from picking up a plasma tv and the tailgate won't unlock. Cannot get it out the side doors so is there a manual overide or is it time to get the crowbar out? 2001 P38.
Thanks, Pete.

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I have the same fault on mine. The previous owner had it too and put some string onto the back of the lock going all the way to the left and coming out of a hole. That is MY manual override. Unfortunately at the moment the string is not visible.

Mine works mostly but fails just when you need it.

Do you hear anything when you press the switch? My switch is ok. I was lucky enough to catch it when it was in fault mode and started to track the problem. It looks like (in my case) the unlock enable signal from the BECU is not reaching the back. According to RAVE there are at least three connectors between the lower tailgate and the BECM.

I gave up looking in the end as it started to work again.


If you can get around the TV in the back, you can pull off the carpet and release the lock manually by pulling the two rods inwards.

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I have tried to get the carpet off the tailgate but the black flap thing that I have been told is to protect dogs paws is in the way. Can this be removed without damage with the tailgate shut?
Thanks again, Pete.

In theory yes it can although I have never tried it and you will have your work cut out for you if you have the TV in the way. You need to lift open the spare wheel well cover and unscrew the screws that hold the black plastic thing in place.

You can then in theory remove it, remove the carpet and voila, access to the mechanism. I doubt it will be that easy for you though if the TV is in the way

Just as a quick check, is your front drivers side door lock functioning OK etc?? Failure of this door lock will prevent the tailgates from openning.

-Wills

I removed mine without removing the black bit. It did damage the card under the carpet, but once it's back in place you can't tell.

How does the driver's lock affect the tailgate? I did notice on the wiring diagram that the feed to the tailgate switch came via the driver's door. Sometimes my central locking won't work at all. I wonder if it's all related somehow to one fault.

Hi, Thanks again. In answer to the question above, all the other doors work fine from the remote but I have discovered that using the key in the drivers door only unlocks the drivers door. ie no central locking.
Pete.

Hi, thanks for the tips. Sorted! Cut the tv box into bits and got the tv out. Then used the method above, ie. lift the spare wheel cover to access screws to dog paw guard and removed. Carpet then removed and tailgate open. Now works fine but for how long. Will leave it dismantled for a while and see how we go. Thanks again, Pete.

I have had this same problem for a while now but only when its hot outside, the central locking goes mad when I`m driving locking & unlocking and then the drivers door does not lock with the fob.
In the winter or when the weathers not been too great its fine.

rangiep38 said:

I have had this same problem for a while now but only when its hot outside, the central locking goes mad when I`m driving locking & unlocking

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Mine does that at times and I thought it was something to do with when the sun's out. I remember trying to have a rest at work during my dinner break and the central loking kept waking me up.

Maybe heat is a contributing factor. I wish I knew what it was

I have the tailgate problem too. Fob works fine, doorlocks work as well. There was no sunshine today and temperatures stayed low. Still: comming home after shopping.... tailgate won't open!
This is the second time it happens. First time, problem was gone after two hours, without doing anything at all...
I also call for HELP

Hi, I have exactly the same problem with mine! In fact i have loads of problems..all electrical! Radio today decides to not switch on (i even had a brand new battery fitted yesterday) door locks go up and down as im driving along, and now the boot one day decides to open and the next it doesnt...its driving me nuts to the point that im deciding to sell the damn thing. So unpredictable!! grrrrrrrr

Might be an idea to create your own post with details on your model etc so people can help.

Also welcome.

having been disconnected fro a new battery is the radio requesting the code ?

If the door locks are flipping up and down, it sounds like there's possibly some muck on one of the actuators not allowing the lock to fully trip.

where are you located ? Someone local may have diagnostics to plug into it if it's not something that simple.

leannemorris1 said:

Hi, I have exactly the same problem with mine! In fact i have loads of problems..all electrical! Radio today decides to not switch on (i even had a brand new battery fitted yesterday) door locks go up and down as im driving along, and now the boot one day decides to open and the next it doesnt...its driving me nuts to the point that im deciding to sell the damn thing. So unpredictable!! grrrrrrrr

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Drivers door lock CDL micro switch would answer the locks cycling and the boot not unlocking. On mine it is old grease that has gone hard, WD40 or Plusgas squirted down into the lock area fixes it for a while until I get round to stripping the lock.
Radio will be code or maybe the fuse.

Mud Flap said:

Mine does that at times and I thought it was something to do with when the sun's out. I remember trying to have a rest at work during my dinner break and the central loking kept waking me up.

Maybe heat is a contributing factor. I wish I knew what it was

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Front right door latch - micro switch problem.

Don't leave it too long or the rogue lock motors will be damaged.

It's the CDL switch on the drivers door lock not grounding the tailgate circuit.

The most annoying and fear inducing electrical gremlins are most often a simple fix.
Years ago i had a Peugeot 607 executive with all the toys you could fit in a car, strange things started happening with the central locking, electric windows interior and exterior lights, had it in 2 indies and a dealer and the diagnosis was body computer £600 + vat fitted and synced to the car.
Did a bit of digging around myself to find the 607 has a second 55amp battery in the boot that powers all the body electrics, removed a load of trims and covers to get to it and found the earth strap clamp had split and was loose, £2 spent a Halfrauds and it was fixed!

Don't start thinking about selling your RR for the sake of a door switch sensor or bad earth.

leannemorris1 said:

Hi, I have exactly the same problem with mine!

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Really? Plasma TVs are so old-school. You should get an LED really.

Bladerunner919 said:

Really? Plasma TVs are so old-school. You should get an LED really.

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Way better picture on a Plasma (higher refresh rate) and a real glass screen you can polish without scratching it.
I had an led and sold it within a month to buy another Plasma, but that's another story.

benthomas said:

Way better picture on a Plama (higher refresh rate) and a real glass screen you can polish without scratching it.
I had an led and sold it within a month to buy another Plasma, but that's another story.

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You are out of date,100Hz plus refresh rates new LED 4K HD plus are way better than Plasma and have a much longer potential life, use less power too.
Plasma is a dead product.