Freelander 1 Rear door may not open one day!

Dear all, I have a 2005 Freelander Td4. SOMETIMES the rear door will not open at first attempt. Having looked at earlier threads I don't think my car is the first to have this problem? What worries me is that one day it will refuse to open at all - so, with your help would like to do some preventive DIY work. Apologies if I am wrong, but I think previous threads have pointed to problems with solenoids and/or actuator (I think I understand what those items do) and it is significant if the opening mechanism clicks when the door handle is used? I would like to take the door apart while it still opens! I can't get my door to not open on demand - BUT I hope three clues I can give will help diagnose the problem? I THINK the lock makes a noise even when it does not open (it has not failed to open since I read other threads) - it does seem to help if I give the whole door handle case a good thump with my hand (not neccessarily first time) - and the window does drop in prep for the door to open. Sorry, I am not a mechanic, but hope I have given enough of a description to make sense? Cheers, Fred T

had problem with mine .. tailgate would not shut ..
had to slam it to get it to close ..
then one day the issue seemed to be terminal
figured lock mechanism was sticking .. age/dirt probably ..

replaced the locking mechanism ..
now just have to nudge it gently to close it ..

once in a while i'll vacuum out any dirt ..
and if wanted .. only use a lubricant that's ok with plastics ..
something like a ptfe spray .. that won't cause dirt to stick ..

in some cases the door may refuse to open due to the handle switch contacts being corroded or dirty

if you need to replace the locking mechanism .. it's a fairly easy d.i.y. job

what the lock mechanism looks like inside:
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/door-lock-mechanism-photos.288384/

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one a side note .. the issue is not uncommon ..
i once saw a fl1 in front of me .. with what i thought was a 'different'
approach to vehicle paint design ..
as i got closer it were apparent that the tailgate was being held shut
by a few rolls worth of red insulation tape ..

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Thanks hd3. As I say, I am not a mechanic but quite fancy trying to sort this out (I am retired so have plenty of time to have a go at it). I will probably take the door apart later this week. Thanks again, Fred T

might be some info in these :
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/search/1349462/?q=replacing+tailgate+lock&o=relevance&c[node]=9

to replace mine ..
after removing the door card
it were a few screws to be undone .. disconnect the wiring plug ..
remove old lock ..
reverse procedure to fit new lock ..
job done

you might want to check the door handle switch connector first
spray some contact cleaner in on it ..
that Might solve the issue
( as in .. with mine there were no issue Opening the door ..
( just with getting it to lock / latch when shutting it ..

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Thanks again hd3. I had only found a few of these threads - so the rest are very useful. I think I will take off the door card etc tomorrow (and leave it off for the moment if door shuts with out it) and see if I can hear/see anything that might help identify the problem. Thanks again

I had an intermittent problem with mine which sounds like yours and chased it for two full days. Turned out to be a bad connection between the door handle connector and the connector in the loom. I cleaned the contacts and twisted the pins a few degrees and the problem is sorted.
If your worried about it keep the door card off as this will allow you to reach the solenoid so you can pull it down to open the door.


Hopefully.

I've just wired in a temp opening switch. My ccu has failed. So can't open it. Now it pops at the push of a button. Be handy if anything dies in the future after I've replaced the ccu.

Dear hd3, Alibro and Diesel Do, I am very appreciative of your help - you are probably going to save me all the time and trials you have spent finding an answer! The idea of it being a switch connector is very attractive to me (quick - but more significantly potentially a big smiley day!). I will have a go at that - and will let you know how i get on. Thanks again all. Fred T

A random non open is normally the door switch, or its connection. This is easy to identify, as the window won't drop, when the handle is used.
The window has to drop about 1" before the CCU releases the door lock. If the window is dropping, but the lock isn't releasing, then the problem is either the door lock, or the window position sensor.

I've lost alsorts. Everything in tailgate, rear fog, alarm, remote, CDL