Hi there

Hoping someone can help me....I have a 2008 Freelander TD4 and went to open the boot this morning and couldn't even with the remote although I could hear the clicking noise as if it was trying to, it just wouldn't release. It also beeps every time i try to lock it as the dashboard says that the 'tailgate is open' and of course this has to happen over Christmas...grrr

Last edited by dunroof on 16th Feb 2013 8:50 am. Edited 1 time in total

sometime this happens if you slammed the boot shut and got something caught in the catch mechanism. rug, coat sleeave, murder victims hand etc etc.


try pulling up as you press the button.

The click make me think the mechansim works but something else is jamming the door At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Thanks for the replies, I have got a feeling something is caught in the latch as the electrics appear to be getting through. Hubby has managed to get the boot door lining off from the sides and top but bottom is underneath where it closes. Is there someway to manually release the latch ? The problem is the damn thing is so well made that everything seems to be so well sealed !!

Last edited by dunroof on 16th Feb 2013 8:48 am. Edited 1 time in total

Had the same problem a couple of days ago, took it to the dealer who held the latch with one hand and pushed the bottom of the door with thw other until it closed properly with a click, no problems since. Gone, 2007 TD4 SE Auto Baltic blue, clear side repeaters, full sized alloy spare.

English by birth..... Yorkshire by the grace of God.

Mine was doing that when the catch failed, have you seen the threads on here, about dismantling the lock to clean or replace?

I found the only way to open it was to work the remote open button at the same time as firmly pulling the boot up.

I believe my rear door handle is need of stipping down, cleanng (or replacing bits) and refitting.

Just waiting for a little better weather.

A symptom I find (often!) is that the screen replorts the rear door (boot) is open - on inspection it is just unlatched - can't be pulled open - and sometimes repeatedly clicks - my only solution so far is to push the lower part of the door until it latches closed (needs a lot of force - don't worry you won't break it!) 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Thanks all for your help, we have managed to get the whole boot latch mechanism with the boot linings still attached out of the car but it is still firmly clasped shut but at least we can see there is nothing jamming it so we have worked out that it is either a faulty micro-switch which is on the boot handle or a faulty solenoid unit which is down near the latch itself . The only problem now is that the dash still reads that the tailgate is open even though there is no electrics going to it (work that one out !!) so we cant lock the car and the interior lights stay on so we will just have to disconnect the battery and leave it until we can get a dealer to check it out once everyone is out of holiday mode !! Thank god we have a 2nd car.

maybe the dash needs a positive signal from the latch mechanism to tell it is closed - therefore with it disconnected there is no signal  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Yes simont I agree with you, however even when the boot was firmly closed and all the electrics hooked up it was still saying it was open so not sure what is going on.

derrydimps wrote:

Yes simont I agree with you, however even when the boot was firmly closed and all the electrics hooked up it was still saying it was open so not sure what is going on.

I would conclude it was broken

Can't remember - will have a look when light outside - but i sthere a seperate boot closed switch to that of the lock mechanism? 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

I thought that there must be one somewhere, you know a bit like a fridge door, so that when it closes it activates a switch but alas, couldn't find anything anywhere....anyway have found someone to have a look at it tomorrow so will let you know how I get on, but thanks for all the ideas anyway.

climb in the back and push as the wife presses the button....simple really..it was material caught in the lock.

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.