Tailgate

I'm brand new to the forum, and I have recently bought a 2009 Freelander 2 with 50000 miles on the clock. Before this I had a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV but found it was a very bad caravan tow vehicle especially up the hills!

I have just started having problems with the central locking in respect of the tailgate.

Until now if I press the unlock button on the key fob twice all four doors and the tailgate, along with the fuel filler cap, would unlock and all I would then have to do is use the tailgate release switch in the number plate light housing (just above the number plate).

Yesterday when I pressed the key fob open button twice the doors and filler cap would unlock but not the tailgate (by pressing the said tailgate release switch). To open the tailgate I now have to press the tailgate button on the key fob or press the lock and unlock buttons together in the car. When I press these buttons the tailgate opens (without pressing the tailgate release switch) after a loud clunk and I can just lift it open.

Before I start trying to take the tailgate to bits and see if I can find out whats gone wrong I thought I would seek help and advice from the forum.

I have gone through the many posts on problems with the tailgate and central locking but there are so many posts I am not sure where to start.

Any help and advice would be very much appreciated.

It sounds like the switch in the tailgate handle has failed. I'm not sure if it's available separately however, although it's very likely that there's something available to get it working again.

Have You tried disconnecting the vehicle battery and reconnecting it to see if anything re-sets just make sure You have the radio code ! always worth a try.

Moisture ingress in boot lid switch