The microswitch in the tailgate handle failed on my 2014 FL2. It is integral with the handle and a loom which supplies the number plate lights and is supplied as a complete unit.

To remove the switch and loom you need to remove the whole strip from the tailgate. First pull off the tailgate interior trim (2 screws to remove), disconnect the loom and remove 8x 10mm bolts holding the handle strip. Once off the tailgate the handle switch and loom can be exchanged for the new component.

HOWEVER. The plastic strip is a poor design. It has multiple rubber spacers separating it from the tailgate painted surface. Over time the rubber has compressed causing the strip to contact the tailgate along its edges. To make matters worse the edges of the strip do not have a flange parallel to the tailgate surface so the thin rubber strip had slipped sideways into the the strip's interior. The result is that the strip has worn away the paint down to the metal in several places.



Note the old loom disconnected from the number plate lights. With some brown rubber strip that I trialled.

Click image to enlarge

That’s a better job than I made of mine I stuck some rubber washers together and put them where the screws go. It was ages ago I did the switch but funnily enough yesterday I noticed the entire boot door trim needed knocking back into place I thought I put it back correctly at the time.

Maybe your washers have compressed over time causing it to become loose again. Jules

No it was the push in clips that had come loose broke a few getting it off and replaced them maybe didn’t smack it on hard enough.

if this is the same as the early switch,save your self a lot of time,look at the new switch,see how it fits, prise the old one out, cut and join the wires ,fit the new one, easy 10 min job.

That’s exactly what I did with my old car - 2012 / 62 plate car.

sid wrote:

if this is the same as the early switch,save your self a lot of time,look at the new switch,see how it fits, prise the old one out, cut and join the wires ,fit the new one, easy 10 min job.

I've just changed my early tail gate handle to the later type.
There was a lot of rust where the handle had been rubbing on the tail gate metal.

I had to treat the rust, and paint the affected area in Bonda Primer. Thankfully the whole lot is hidden under the new handle, so it looks good, much better than the horrible original.

Click image to enlarge

Well done. Its much harder to hide the damage caused by the later one I'm afraid.
Mine really needs a professional painter as the lower edge of the tailgate was also damaged by the bumper moulding - again wearing away the paint. My DIY painting leaves a lot to be desired, but its only small areas and I cant see them when I'm driving. Jules

Mines been hit and miss for a while . I’ve bought the switch but don’t fancy taking the handle off to see what is underneath 😬😬. .Also I imagine I will break something as I normally do - whether it be the tailgate trim clips or lose he nuts into the tailgate . Will us the button on the key fob for a bit

Any good tips on removing the interior tailgate trim ? Just pull and work your way round from the window side ??

Chance of broken clips I guess if weather is cold

Thanks

Dean

@Deano64,

very easy with two people, start at each end (top and bottom) and give it a short sharp pull directly down if tailgate is fully up and directly forward (towards you) if tailgate is partially open (don't drop the cover??!!). I've never broken a clip doing it but the high brake light cover, I can decimate 5+ trying to replace.

Thanks for that - makes it look easy. . Mines the longer handl so more nuts to take off I think.
Looks like a forceful tug will get the tailgate trim off

By the way. I’ve been fine with the high level brake light clips

Deano64 wrote:

Thanks for that - makes it look easy. . Mines the longer handl so more nuts to take off I think.
Looks like a forceful tug will get the tailgate trim off

I put a smear of Vaseline on the white clips to aid the putting the trim panel back and taking it off again  Jules