Range Rover Classic 1990 Upper Tailgate Light Switch

Hi All,

Just a for information only. Both my new car and the donor car had non-operating tailgate switches for the interior light.

Both had aluminium tailgates fitted and when closed they would not open the switch. So I purchased the correct part with the little 90 deg feature on it - and it still would not open the switch.

Salvation came in the form of the newer designed switch PRC8548 - it has a longer post on it and works a charm.

Posting in case anyone else has this problem.

If you don't already know always close the ally ones by pressing on the lower corners, not the centre.
Unlike the steel ones they can bow slightly & you then start wondering why the catches don't engage as well.

Many thanks - I wish the previous owner had known that!

Do you know if they ever bend back in? I have adjusted the catches as best I can and even moved the lower tailgate in a little - so now at least they both do latch correctly.

I believe it is possible to straighten it, there was a 'how to' on another forum but I can't remember which one.
Involved putting a long piece of wood against the bottom centre of the top tailgate & the other end on the ground/opened bottom tailgate & pressing down on the bottom corners.
Never had to do it & I can't say I have any desire to want to as I'd be worried about breaking the glass although a careful go might be worth a try.
Mine's the Famous Four which came as a kit so - assuming I could get the fastenings out after all this time - I'd be dismantling the frame & taking the glass out.

Ratae said:

If you don't already know always close the ally ones by pressing on the lower corners, not the centre.
Unlike the steel ones they can bow slightly & you then start wondering why the catches don't engage as well.

Click to expand...

Hahaha, that made me chuckle. I certainly remember to close the aluminium top tailgate required a firm push on the centre handle and an equally firm hand on the bottom right corner, glad I don't have to do that any more.

Firmly pressing the bottom corners until each of the latches click is the technique I always use on a standard steel 'gate.
Don't think I'd want an alloy example as I've read too many comments about lack of rigidity.