Freelander 2 (LR2) Rear tailgate switch........is it me?

Not been here in ages but just had to post up issues with rear tailgate switch on FL2 (2010 vintage).
So far, in 13000 miles my FL2 has been a beauty.
Only major expenses has been a cam belt and water pump change with Haldex service, Landranger Services of Shrewsbury, great job!
BUT these tailgate switches, is it just me or are they really so poor quality?
First failed July 2020, couldn't get in back door with switch, OK with boot release on fob.
Bearmach supplied one for me, fitted, just the job, worked a treat!
Then Feb 2021, same issue again.
Bearmach said they would not supply replacement, but offered refund in full, duly accepted tho' wondered why?.......hmmmmmm known issue perhaps?
Purchased a genuine replacement switch from local indie LR workshop near me, no names mentioned.
Again, worked a treat!
Till today! Parked up in woods, opened tailgate to let dog out, locked car, familiar horn "beep beep" as if door not shut.
Checked all 4 doors, all closed, rear door shut, went to open it and door just lifted up, not catched at all!
Spent 5 minutes constructively cursing and trying to find out why, then walked mutt till logic returned, back to car and still tailgate catch non-op.
Drove home with dog happily strapped in rear seat, he was lovin' it, and noted that interior light went off as did tailgate open alert!
Got home, tried it again, shut and catched, but now it wouldn't open again!
Called supplier of said new switch, asked if they had any more, advised "yes, we always have plenty in stock".......again, wonder why!
So, removed faulty switch, drove for hopeful exchange, to be met with "we can't test that off the car, need the whole truck and we'll book it in for diagnosis"! How much for labour to justify a sub £25 part?
Heart sank! Just purchased a new genuine LR switch and walked away.
Switch fitted, and again working a treat.
Was advised in shop that "we sell loads of these, must wear out, never had one fail yet tho'!".......hmmmmm!
So, no idea where they are manufactured, undoubtedly in some foreign sweat-shop, but expecting to replace it again in 6 months time!
Record of all receipts kept as if it does fail again will be writing to LR customer service me thinks!
Sorry it's an epic, just had to share and get it off me chest!

The tail gate handle switch isn't responsible for the vehicle systems seeing the rear door open, or the door latch not latching. That's down to latch or the door open sensor, which is part of the latch assembly, in the bottom of the door.
All door latches can fail, not just the FL2, although it does have its fair share. My own FL2 has a dodgy LHR door latch issue, where its only partially releasing with the remote. I do have a replacement ready to fit, when I've got the time.

Thanks Nodge68, just I fail to see how it's the latch when every time changing the micro-switch and loom it works absolutely fine!
Yesterday, suffering both symptoms, door not latching on close, and when it did eventually latch took repeated attempts to open yet, yet as always release button on the fob freed it immediately!
Still maintain this is a poor quality replacement part, Bearmach not offering a replacement made me even more sceptical!

Richard Snow said:

Thanks Nodge68, just I fail to see how it's the latch when every time changing the micro-switch and loom it works absolutely fine!
Yesterday, suffering both symptoms, door not latching on close, and when it did eventually latch took repeated attempts to open yet, yet as always release button on the fob freed it immediately!
Still maintain this is a poor quality replacement part, Bearmach not offering a replacement made me even more sceptical!

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It does sound strange to have 2 faults, which seem to be cured by a replacement door release switch.

Looking at the wiring, the rear door release motor, and door open sensor have a common ground. The live side of the open sensor is simply pulled to ground by the switch. What I'm not sure on, is if the switch is normally open, or normally close, when the tailgate is closed. The motor and door open sensor ground is also shared with the door release switch and number plate lamp grounds.

The none ground side of these components go to the CJB MCM (BCU).

So my thinking is, that there is potentially a mechanical issue with the door release button, which is holding the switch just on the make/break point, instead of having a clearly defined transition between the 2 states.

Does the fuel flap solenoid work?
Mine failed and seem to remember getting the tailgate open warning...

No issues with fuel flap whatsoever, on first 2 fails it was door refusing to open on back door switch, but ok from remote,. and this time fail to latch, then not open, then not latch again! All three times resolved with microswitch and loom replacement.
Nodge68, think you have it spot on, think the internals of the microswitch are mechanically questionable!
Anyhow, one fault fixed(duration unknown) and now further locking issues now as rear O/S door not locking, looking! Lock toggle is very lazy so looks like the classic door motor change for this one!

I've recently had to replace the tailgate switch on mine too and the new updated part felt less substantial than the original I removed...

Richard Snow said:

as rear O/S door not locking, looking! Lock toggle is very lazy so looks like the classic door motor change for this one!

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I've got the same issue. I've bought the replacement latch assembly, of course now the bloody thing is working perfectly again. I've not done a recent code read, but suspect it'll still show a lock motor error, but while the door is working, I'm reluctant to waste 2 hours of my time changing it.

It must be a 'they all do that sir' thing as my OSR door lock is a bit dodgy too...!

Like you Nodge, I bought a replacement and then it starts behaving as it should.

For now anyway....

Between my FL2 and my wife's Fiat 500 I seem to be constantly in my tool box at the moment!!

NeilTD4 said:

Between my FL2 and my wife's Fiat 500 I seem to be constantly in my tool box at the moment!!

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My daughter has a 500 Sport, hideous thing, although rather fun to drive.
It's always needing something though. It makes my FL2 seem reliable.

Agree that the 500 is a hoot to drive, the wife's is a twin air so is pretty nippy to a point.
Can't beat the FL2 with its arm chairs and slush box tho'
I did get to drive my father in laws SD4 at the weekend and the extra 30 horses made their presence felt

NeilTD4 said:

Agree that the 500 is a hoot to drive, the wife's is a twin air so is pretty nippy to a point.

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The daughter's is the 100hp 1.4, which is no slouch, but it feels much faster than it actually is. There are just too many gears for the engine power and vehicle weight, it definitely doesn't need a 6 speed box, after all, there's no acceleration going on between gears.
I put new shocks, springs and brakes on it when she got it, as it was a bit tired in that department.
It's fun to nip about the Cornish lanes in though.

NeilTD4 said:

Can't beat the FL2 with its arm chairs and slush box tho

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Yes, it's a nice relaxing car to drive, and not to juggling like our CX5 family car.

After driving the L Series Freelander for over a decade, which couldn't pull the skin off custard accelerating, when I drive the daughter's 1.5 Mazda 2 its like driving a F1 car.

Mind you I agree a lot of it just 'feels' fast cos when I look down at the speedo the needle has never moved as far as I thought it would have.

Our old '92 Starlet 1.3 EFI was no slouch either - we called that the pocket rocket and that was when we had the V8 Disco. Mind you, that weren't very quick either, just made lots of lovely noise.

GrumpyGel said:

After driving the L Series Freelander for over a decade, which couldn't pull the skin off custard accelerating, when I drive the daughter's 1.5 Mazda 2 its like driving a F1 car.

Mind you I agree a lot of it just 'feels' fast cos when I look down at the speedo the needle has never moved as far as I thought it would have.

Our old '92 Starlet 1.3 EFI was no slouch either - we called that the pocket rocket and that was when we had the V8 Disco. Mind you, that weren't very quick either, just made lots of lovely noise.

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I am warming to the FL2. When I first got it, it seemed it was going to be troublesome, and somehow this made it feel alien to my driving style.
However now I've put a good few trouble free miles on him (probably just jinxed that), he's definitely feeling nicer to drive.
I particularly like the power he has, he's easily faster than a V6 FL1, but without all the noise, revs and drama.
The DW12 has oodles of torque, which just happens at 1500 RPM, which makes for a relaxed and economical drive.
The FL2 is also much quieter than a FL1, and the stereo is absolutely brilliant, better sounding than the Bose system in the CX5, which is perfect for me, as I like loud, but good quality music reproduction.