Freelander 1 Tailgate not opening

Jonny H · Jul 31, 2018

Hi
I have a 2004 TD4. Tailgate latch has been making a squeek on opening for some time but working fine. Took the interior tailgate panel off today to inspect but could see nothing. Opened and closed a couple of times and squirted a bit of WD40 on the latch mech as things get very dry and dusty here in Spain. Closed the tailgate and now it won't open at all!
Window drops the required amount but the latch won't operate. Luckily I still have the interior panel off. Read a previous similar post suggesting the solenoid may be sticking but much banging and tapping has failed to make any difference.
Any ideas how I can open the tailgate?

Nodge68 · Jul 31, 2018

Jonny H said:
Any ideas how I can open the tailgate?

Pull on the lock actuator. It's the black thing with bellows on it.

Jonny H · Jul 31, 2018

How do I get to the lock actuator with the tailgate shut? There is a black plastic cover over the back of the lock mechanism.

Jonny H · Jul 31, 2018

Managed to prise away the cover enough to allow me to hook a finger in and release the lock actuator. Cheers Nodge.
Next thing is, the door lock is still not working. I have noticed that one of the heated rear window connectors that is bonded to the rear window has become detached.
A brief read through the Haynes manual seems to suggest that the heated rear window forms part of the alarm system and will deadlock the doors in the event of a smashed window.
So, with one heated rear window contact detached would that mean the door lock won't open?
If so, any ideas how to re-attach this contact? Cheers.

Jonny H · Jul 31, 2018

Update. I've managed to prove my theory by joining the 2 heated rear window connectors together so the circuit is complete and the door lock works perfectly now.
This might be useful to other people having tailgate lock problems.
I still need advice as to how to bond the connector back to the tailgate glass if anybody has any ideas.

Nodge68 · Aug 1, 2018

Jonny H said:
Update. I've managed to prove my theory by joining the 2 heated rear window connectors together so the circuit is complete and the door lock works perfectly now.

That's interesting. I've repaired the heated rear window contacts many times, including my current TD4, but I've never notice them causing any other issues, other than the HRW not working.

At least it's sorted.

Edit:

Jonny H said:
I still need advice as to how to bond the connector back to the tailgate glass if anybody has any ideas.

I solder the spade connector back on, but you need to be skilled with a soldering iron and heat gun to make it solder successfully.

Freelander 1 Tailgate not opening

Jonny H

Active Member

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

Jonny H

Active Member

Jonny H

Active Member

Jonny H

Active Member

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

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