tailgate latch stuck open

[ddvelin]

I'm loaded up in my 2005 LR3 headed cross-country for a funeral. We make a regular stop and the top clamshell of my tailgate starts being unresponsive. Sometimes it won't open or respond when I lock/unlock or push the upper tailgate release button.

A call to the LR service center has me trying to determine if something is caught in the mechanism. It made matters worse now because I can't get the patch to move into a position to accept the top bar of the tailgate.

I'm 2 hours from my destination and have bungeed the tailgate to the anchor hooks inside.

Please tell me there is a simple fix!

ddv

 

[bbyer]

Be happy and just tape is for now.

First of all, do not attempt to shut it - tape the gaps up with duct tape but do not attempt to close it.

The reason is that it is then near impossible to get it open.

The link below will give you an idea of the problem and the fix. The solution is in the lower half of the rear hatch, not the upper part.

You of course cannot open the lower part until you get the upper to open and well ....

http://www.**************/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4155

Replace the **** with disco3 co uk and insert a period in each of the two spaces.

With the lower hatch door open and either the proper parts from LR or a temporary fix, then you will be back to normal.

If you do a temporary fix, leave the carpet panels off and you will be able to get back in easily as long as you can unload the stuff in the back thru the side doors.

 

[bbyer]

What is most likely wrong.

Here is a few pictures of what is most likely wrong. Once you have the lower tailgate carpet off, under the dust seal you will find a box with the springy thing inside.

The L shaped bit is probably broken - very common.

Some have snap tied a small Allen wrench in place of the L bracket and it works well.

 

[bbyer]

More material re the rear hatch.

The link below is to a six + page thread re lower hatch latch failure concerns and solutions.

http://www.**************/forum/topic23845.html

to get the link to function, replace the **** with disco3 co uk and insert a period in each of the two spaces.

Let us know how it all worked out; reports back are always welcome as sometimes the problem and the solution are not what was anticipated.

That is how we all learn.

 

[toddjb122]

Does anyone know if they fixed this on the LR4? Just curious if I'll have the same problem once I upgrade...

 

[bbyer]

Kind of got fixed on the later LR3's as well.

For some unclear reason, the LR Engineers became aware of the problem and upgraded the L shaped bit as that was all that was wrong. I guess maybe the latch was failing within the 4 year warranty/lease period too often.
That is why the compressor thing kind of got sorted out; at least now the compressor statistically lasts a bit more than four years.

Later years of LR3 do not have the problem nor I guess does the LR4. They instead created new problems to go with the new name.

 

[toddjb122]

For some unclear reason, the LR Engineers became aware of the problem and upgraded the L shaped bit as that was all that was wrong. I guess maybe the latch was failing within the 4 year warranty/lease period too often....

That's good to know. I wish I knew that when LR was still working on my vehicle. The Extended warranty I had would apparently only pay for the same faulty L to get re-installed each time instead of giving me the newer part number...

 

[bbyer]

You would have received the new part number.

The odds are you received the new better part assuming the old stock was gone.

Land Rover looks after itself first, but as with the air compressors, we tend to get the upgraded replacement parts as they come available once existing old stock is depleted.

 

[churious]

So are we safe to say it is recommended for all LR3s to inspect and replace this part?

 

[bbyer]

After 2008, OK

I think LR replaced enough of the units under warranty that they decided by about 2008 to resolve the issue. Also if you have a unit prior to 2008, the odds are that the release has been replaced. That is why I added the emergency release cable, because you just do not know when it will let go again.

Is sounds like now with the upgraded bits, the failure mode is the solenoid rather than the cable L.