Hello, can anybody help? I have a freelander 2 57 plate. on board computer says tailgate open but it is locked,tried all buttons on remote, also dash board buttons still won't open tried key in passenger side, can the tailgate release be accessed
inside the vehicle with the tailgate closed.

Thanks Andrew m

Check all around the inside of the Tailgate, something may be trapped in the Tailgate, the Tailgate thinks it is still open but the extra pressure on the catch won't allow it to release  p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Now...........
im going to play a few guessing games that may either help you or trigger other forum members to add detail or give critical comment.
Ive had a look at the wiring diagram......
I think that the rear tailgate lock is an electric coil that when energised flips open the mechanical lock.
I think that one wire is connected to a relay contact to a 12 volt positive feed so that it can only work when there is 12 volt present ie the central locking has been activated to unlock OR you have the car already legally open.
I think that to open the tailgate that the operation is to earth the electric coil either by the external flip switch OR the keyfob OR the dashboard button.
I think that the two systems of activating both the need for a 12 volt positive and the earth is in order to avoid car thieves.
SO.. it may be that the central locking has been activated hence the display showing ajar; SO it may be that the relay is faulty or a fuse line gone open circuit OR the electric coil has failed (unlikely) OR the mechanical bit is stuck.
Plastic trim panels are usually not too expensive, ask Dan at Duckworths how much; if its not too bad you may be able to cut the centre out of the boot trim panel to get at the lock then fit a new panel after the problems are resolved.
I do hope that some of the above triggers ideas and solves the problem.
Kind regards from Fred, (im still looking for that passenger side LR sidestep and sombodys internal silver grab handles to spray piano black). 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Hi thanks for the replies both, I have checked the fuse seems ok somebody sugested micro switch on tailgaite, tried to have a look, not sure how to remove plastic shroud in centre of tailgate dont want to break it, number plate
lights are easy to remove clipped to the side any Idea how plastic switch housing is fastened.

Thanks Andrew

Thanks everybody, fuse had blown, time to go to specsavers.

Andrew

Hi Andrew, good to hear that you located the blown fuse.
For anybody reading this post in the future I have some extra comments.
1/. trying the tailgate / boot handle switch for faults would have been a wrong first choice in this post. The tailgate opens with an earth either thro the handle micro or via the 'Logic' from the Keyfob. As neither option earthed and opened the lock it had to be something different that had failed **.
2/.I should have said to check if the fuel filler cap was still locked. This is fed from the same fuse and the flap / door would have been still locked shut. This would have directed you straight to the blown fuse in the fusebox.
3/. If the fuse blows again then it could be either the tailgate OR the fuel filler cap lock systems have a fault.
**4/. it might just be that the tailgate handle microswitch is failing/has failed closed circuit, causing excess current draw on the cable and thus blew the fuse.
So... if it happens again its back to fault finding........
The Tailgate inner black plastic trim is fastened by the two grab handles inserts which each have a single self tapper, it then pulls away from multiple plastic trim clips.
Hope this helps, kind regards from Fred.
PS,
I'm still looking for the passenger LR sidestep good or bad 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

I've just fixed mine by following the excellent instructions.

Thanks to the posters on this forum !

Thanks to "ajuniper"'s gallery and explanations, I replaced mine too.

Does one have to cut the wires and solder in the new switch? Or is there a plug I'm not seeing?

Seems my old switch is completely and needs replacing

Thanks

No cutting or soldering, just unplug and plug in the new one, the same part of the loom supplies the power to the number plate light. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

cool, thanks

vanadium23 wrote:

Just replaced my tailgate switch. I would not of tried to do this without knowledge gained from this excellent forum
-many thanks everyone!
Ps this is the only problem iI've had in 60,000 miles

Same here today...

ad210358 wrote:

No cutting or soldering, just unplug and plug in the new one, the same part of the loom supplies the power to the number plate light.

Mines a 08MY and replaced my tailgate switch a few months ago.
Really easy and no cutting or soldering
What a carp switch!! Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Pieza originale. Made In Spain switch. Shame it cant be made to a higher standard in UK