derrydimps wrote:

Wish it was that simple geoff, would have had it fixed days ago!!
It appears to be the solenoid down in the release catch mechanism which is not working, its enclosed in a black box about the size of a cigarette packet which an 'expert' is going to look at on Thursday so we should have some definite answers then. Not sure whether we can get into the black box or whether you have to replace the whole thing.

Hi Calabash
We did eventually get our problem sorted at our local dealer who had seen it before, it turned out to be the tailgate latch motor had seized up due to the failure of plastic parts. The whole tail latch has to be unbolted from the tailgate we did this ourselves in the process of trying to find out what was wrong with it......it saved the technician a couple of hours work and he replaced it with a whole complete unit. Hope this is of help to you, happy to answer any more questions.

derrydimps wrote:

Hi Calabash
We did eventually get our problem sorted at our local dealer who had seen it before, it turned out to be the tailgate latch motor had seized up due to the failure of plastic parts. The whole tail latch has to be unbolted from the tailgate we did this ourselves in the process of trying to find out what was wrong with it......it saved the technician a couple of hours work and he replaced it with a whole complete unit. Hope this is of help to you, happy to answer any more questions.

Hi Calabash
Yes, the latch was closed and locked the whole time, it stubbornly refused to open. Yes, you undo the three screws which is not easy and then that allows you to remove from the vehicle the whole locking mechanism, along with the black plastic cover which I then suggest you take to a dealer as the latch still has to be opened to release the catch and we didn't see how our mechanic did this. The locking mechanism will have to be replaced and we paid about $250 NZ for it and then the labour was on top as he put it all back together for us. To do this yourself would be too difficult as getting the latch open was virtually impossible without the right equipment, plus you have to get the right part, but you will save yourself a lot of money in the time taken to dismantle it which your mechanic would have to do anyway. Once you have the lock out you will have to tie the tailgate down from inside to stop it flying up, we used those stretchy cords with hooks on the end.

Hi derrydimps,
Many thanks for an info's and will try and have a look this week end. And just want to double check with you is that when take off the black box (locking mechanism) and the boot door (tailgate) can be now opened? also you mention on last post about "along with the black plastic cover" to which I'm not sure that 'COVER' where you mean, could you tell me more details to this please. Cheers.

Hi Calabash
When you take off the locking mechanism, it should then come completely away from the car still locked with the hook part of the latch on one side of the sill cover and the part it hooks into on the other side of the sill cover. The plastic sill cover that I am referring to is black and about 2 feet long and is the trim that is inside the boot. We have got a 2008 Freelander 2 and yours could be different if you have a different model of car. Once you have this all out you won't be able to keep the boot shut unless you tie it down. Hope this helps...cheers.

Hi Derrydimps, thank you very much for your tips and now I have had finally get the boot door opened and dismantled the "Latch Assy - Tailgate" parts number LR014184 which what they call, also I been ordered the parts as well, and you know what, from Aussie supplier charged $215 incl. GST but if you can waite and spend 10 min's on the web's then it going to saved you $150 BUCKS hell!! Yep, that's right I'll ordering to UK supplier and it's only costs £77.14 incl. p&p to your DOOR, you know what that means, it's telling whoever want anything but just dont get order here in Aussie! I'm happy to have it fixed at last once the parts arrive.

p.s - To whom want to know how to get the tailgate opened via it's closed and locked, I can showed you step by step to dismantle a Latch Assy and or repair if still usable, please fill free to ask, by the way thanks for the helps from "Derrydimps" and to you all.

Hi Calabash, thats great news that you have finally got the door open. Yes, it was an expensive exercise but I did not have the time to wait for it to come over the net and I didn't have time to put it back together again, but I did manage to save about 3 hours of the mechanics time by dismantling it myself....quite a challenge in itself !!! Glad to hear you will soon be up and running.

Corner of coat stuck in tailgate latch, all classic symptom described earlier. Got in the back with the key fob and clicked and shoved until it popped open. Thanks all!  New to FL2

H Guys,
Looks like a good site and a good bunch of people.

My brother is having the same issues with his Free-lander 03, Tailgate not opening, but window does drop.

Would appreciate if someone could give me some step by step instructions, to see if I can save some money and fix it for him.
Or replace just the faulty part.

Hi calabash, tried to Pm but just a new user and would not let me let

Cheers Guys

That's a Freelander 1. Try this site:

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showforum=10

Ok many thanks and sorry not a car person,

calabash wrote:

Hi Derrydimps, thank you very much for your tips and now I have had finally get the boot door opened and dismantled the "Latch Assy - Tailgate" parts number LR014184 which what they call, also I been ordered the parts as well, and you know what, from Aussie supplier charged $215 incl. GST but if you can waite and spend 10 min's on the web's then it going to saved you $150 BUCKS hell!! Yep, that's right I'll ordering to UK supplier and it's only costs £77.14 incl. p&p to your DOOR, you know what that means, it's telling whoever want anything but just dont get order here in Aussie! I'm happy to have it fixed at last once the parts arrive.

p.s - To whom want to know how to get the tailgate opened via it's closed and locked, I can showed you step by step to dismantle a Latch Assy and or repair if still usable, please fill free to ask, by the way thanks for the helps from "Derrydimps" and to you all.

This should help;

https://www.freel2.com/gallery/thumbnails....mp;sort=ta

Thanks Wizking. Would u also know how to open the latch without taking it to the dealer?