Freelander 1 Tailgate latch not holding rear door shut

Hi all
Having a big problem with my Freelander 1 tailgate closing. In the past I have just slammed and slammed until it finally latched shut although it seemed to be more and more difficult each time. Eventually I just left it shut for a couple of months as I needed it for work and did not have time to fix.
Currently fixing all the problems and while I've had success with everything else this problem is annoying the hell out of me.

The electronics work fine and the door has no problem releasing the latch to open. It just won't stick closed.

I've tried to make a video to show that moving the latch manually clicks everything although the latch doesn't stick:


I have stripped it down to the solenoid, although the two torx screws (see picture) holding the top of the whole unit in place are completely tight and will not budge at all.

Even still, while holding the loose solenoid unit I can feel the hook pulling the solenoid and am totally convinced that this is working and the hook is still fixed. It's simply that the latch that won't stick closed.

I have consulted all the previous posts and could only find anything related to this issue here: https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tailgate-latch-not-latching.195044/
The answers here seem to indicate that it is the springs in the handle (one of my springs is missing) although even when holding the door closed and pushing the handle upwards the latch doesn't want to move.
I have ordered new springs yet am still failing to see how these tiny springs in the handle could have anything to do with the problem, unless of course they form part of some kind of circuit.


At this point i don't think getting the other two torx screws out to remove the whole latching mechanism unit is possible. Any ideas or help from you guys would be amazing. First time posting but seemingly this is a great community, I have referenced many of the forum posts here for fixing other problems on my Freelander with great success.

Cheers,
Alex

Latching issues are normally down to incorrect loop alignment, or the latch has failed. I've seen the latch spring fail, which prevents the pawl from engaging with the locking fork (rotating part, which then simply bounces open again.
Does it latch on the first (safety) latch)?.

Your first photo shows a fracture in the clasp horseshoe. May be significant.??

Nodge68 said:

Latching issues are normally down to incorrect loop alignment, or the latch has failed. I've seen the latch spring fail, which prevents the pawl from engaging with the locking fork (rotating part, which then simply bounces open again.
Does it latch on the first (safety) latch)?.

Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware there is no latching happening at all.
By loop alignment are you referring to the loop attached to the inside of the body where the latch would fasten on to? I thought about that earlier but it seems quit aligned. If it is the latch spring, are you referring to the tiny springs which operate the door handle or another spring in the whole mechanism that sits inside the tailgate?

andyfreelandy said:

Your first photo shows a fracture in the clasp horseshoe. May be significant.??

Click to expand...

I hadn't noticed that, I just assumed it would be sitting as normal. Would a small crack there really make so much of a difference though?

As you can probably tell I'm a bit of an amateur but thanks for the replies

glitterhole said:

As far as I'm aware there is no latching happening at all.

Click to expand...

You need a new lock assembly by the sounds of it.

glitterhole said:

By loop alignment are you referring to the loop attached to the inside of the body where the latch would fasten on to?

Click to expand...

That's correct. If it's out of alignment, the door won't latch correctly.

glitterhole said:

If it is the latch spring, are you referring to the tiny springs which operate the door handle

Click to expand...

No. That's something different entirely.

glitterhole said:

or another spring in the whole mechanism that sits inside the tailgate?

Click to expand...

There's a spring inside the latch mechanism which holds the pawl in place. If that spring fails, the pawl won't latch, so you'll need another latch assembly.

My only problem with the latch assembly replacement is that I can't fully remove it because of the two torx screws which are currently immovable. If I were able to somehow shear the screws would it be possible to find new ones or use different screws to hold the new latch assembly in place?

As for the latch assembly, would this cover it all? - https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1887482019...MI19Xvy5676gIVi-3tCh1Q5QxGEAQYAiABEgLTuPD_BwE

Thanks again for all the informative help.

glitterhole said:

My only problem with the latch assembly replacement is that I can't fully remove it because of the two torx screws which are currently immovable.

Click to expand...

Anything not turning. Use one of these.https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand...veXrd5hfJZEjNTOy7aE3e7RAk6TVEGUcaApw8EALw_wcB

Although you'll need to get the Torx bit to fit it.

glitterhole said:

If I were able to somehow shear the screws would it be possible to find new ones or use different screws to hold the new latch assembly in place?

Click to expand...

Yes. There's nothing particularly unusual about the fixing screws.

I'd look for a new latch, as you don't know how long a second hand one will last, and they're not as expensive as that listing makes them out to be.

I had a similar issue and replacing the latch fixed it.

Alright. Will try and find that tool in Halfords tomorrow and get the screws out. With that done I'll order a latch and see how we go

Many thanks, Nodge, for all your insights