tailgate won't open

The tailgate on my newly acquired 1998 type 1 V8 discovery wont open from either inside or outside it was fine untill this morning when I tried to open it whilst unlocking it with the central locking, I have tried obvious things like relocking and unlocking it but still no joy anyone have any suggestions before I climb into the boot and strip the interior panel?, Many thanks john

take out the oval landrover badge that is in the handle, get a screwdriver and push the handle back, then it should open, whilst you have the badge off give it a good dousing in wd40

charming. very secure indeed.

That worked no bother many thanks, Jonny

Thanks yella - worked for me too!

Holy thread resurrection batman!

We have all been there on that one. Add it to your maintenance list.

I've just done the spring in my rear door. Very fiddly but all done in about 45mins. And it is a joy to have a fully functioning rear door after 12 months or so of jimmying the key to get it to open. Slapped a bit of chequer plate I had lying round on the back door aswel while I was at it.

And this was the farting little spring that makes a locks go gaga...