P38A Boot actuator connections

EntropyUK · May 7, 2019

Looking for a bit of guidance from the experienced. Are there any easily accessible connectors between the boot actuator and the BECM. The boot lock button has given up, no noise when pressed, so wanted to pop it open by putting a voltage through it to trigger the lock mechanism.

At my age I really do not fancy climbing into the boot to remove the internal panel and too tight fisted to pay someone to fix it for me.

wammers · May 7, 2019

EntropyUK said:
Looking for a bit of guidance from the experienced. Are there any easily accessible connectors between the boot actuator and the BECM. The boot lock button has given up, no noise when pressed, so wanted to pop it open by putting a voltage through it to trigger the lock mechanism.

At my age I really do not fancy climbing into the boot to remove the internal panel and too tight fisted to pay someone to fix it for me.

Power to latch comes from fuse 15 in BECM. Other end is grounded by CDL switch in drivers door lock when doors are unlocked. Pressing release button completes the circuit to open boot.

EntropyUK · May 7, 2019

Can I rule out the CDL switch if the other doors operate correctly i.e grounding is good?

wammers · May 7, 2019

EntropyUK said:
Can I rule out the CDL switch if the other doors operate correctly i.e grounding is good?

If all the other doors lock and unlock with drivers door lock on key or fob yes. Circuit goes from fuse 15 to latch, then from latch to push button then to CDL switch ground. The push button makes the circuit to open tailgate. One press opens top a second press with top lifted opens bottom.

RangeRoller dt · May 7, 2019

Top won’t open?

When my vehicle had stood for years the bottom tailgate wouldn’t open and button was shot. It came open with a bit of tugging and repeatedly pressing the boot button firmly. I eventually stripped it out and cleaned/repaired what I could. The mechanism is weaker than new but cleaned up it’s got plenty more life in it. The catches were seized and had to disconnect cables to take them out. It’s easier than it seems if you can get it open firstly. The button was the worst but all works fine now. Datatek s method is on here too

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/boot-button-cheap-solution.343993/

EntropyUK · May 7, 2019

I was just reading RAVE and it states that fuse 15 also provides for other components such as rear wiper. Just to double check my thoughts. If the rear wiper is working then fuse 15 is OK. I really dont want to touch the BECM unless absolutely necessary.

Datatek · May 7, 2019

EntropyUK said:
I was just reading RAVE and it states that fuse 15 also provides for other components such as rear wiper. Just to double check my thoughts. If the rear wiper is working then fuse 15 is OK. I really dont want to touch the BECM unless absolutely necessary.

IMO, it's easier to get the the boot hatch panel than go hunting for the wires at the BECM with the risk of damage if you get it wrong.

RangeRoller dt · May 7, 2019

It states everything connected to fuse 15 in owners manual (as below) - I found it for @Henry_b once as he had issues with it constantly blowing. It’s in a thread of his

RangeRoller dt said:
owners manual states Fuse 15 - 20A - courtesy lights, handset receiver, load space light, rear wiper, sub woofer, rear audio system amplifiers

If these are working it’s likely not that. 20A is cheap peace of mind if it does worry you

EntropyUK · May 7, 2019

Datatek said:
IMO, it's easier to get the the boot hatch panel than go hunting for the wires at the BECM with the risk of damage if you get it wrong.

Thanks Datatek an DT. I was going by Wammers post and ruling out the other parts. Now it looks like it is the button or release mechanism.

Really don't fancy trying to get the boot open from the inside! Hoped I could unplug a connection in the loom, pass a current and get the boot to pop.

Grrrrrr · May 7, 2019

EntropyUK said:
Thanks Datatek an DT. I was going by Wammers post and ruling out the other parts. Now it looks like it is the button or release mechanism.

Really don't fancy trying to get the boot open from the inside! Hoped I could unplug a connection in the loom, pass a current and get the boot to pop.

Have tried squirting electrical contact cleaner round the boot button and pressing? Might get lucky.

RangeRoller dt · May 7, 2019

The bottom hatch may come open easy enough from inside then bridge the button maybe?
Once it’s open just pull it apart, you will fix it easy enough.

kds · May 7, 2019

Datatek said:
IMO, it's easier to get the the boot hatch panel than go hunting for the wires at the BECM with the risk of damage if you get it wrong.

With @Datatek on this, been there done that, once the panel is off just get hold of the latch to open it.

Datatek · May 8, 2019

Grrrrrr said:
Have tried squirting electrical contact cleaner round the boot button and pressing? Might get lucky.

The boot button is a sealed micro switch so contact cleaner is not going to do much.

Datatek · May 8, 2019

EntropyUK said:
Thanks Datatek an DT. I was going by Wammers post and ruling out the other parts. Now it looks like it is the button or release mechanism.

Really don't fancy trying to get the boot open from the inside! Hoped I could unplug a connection in the loom, pass a current and get the boot to pop.

With the back seats fully folded, getting to the panel on the lower boot hatch is easy, then just 3 twist to release plastic fasteners under the hinged plastic at the bottom, then pull on the release rods.

Grrrrrr · May 8, 2019

Datatek said:
The boot button is a sealed micro switch so contact cleaner is not going to do much.

It was sealed! Or might still be sealed. If water can get in then so can contact cleaner, hence my comment about he might get lucky.

Datatek · May 8, 2019

Grrrrrr said:
It was sealed! Or might still be sealed. If water can get in then so can contact cleaner, hence my comment about he might get lucky.

There is no way on gods earth you will get contact cleaner into the micro switch from outside.

wammers · May 8, 2019

I have given you all the information you need to open the tailgate. If fuse 15 is sound and all the other systems it supplies are functional. You need to remove the lower tailgate inner cover and short the wire from latch to push button to ground to open the upper gate, then short it again to open the lower gate.

EntropyUK · May 8, 2019

Thanks everyone, looks like clambering into the boot it is then!

EntropyUK · May 12, 2019

Just an update. Got round to looking at it today . So tried the release button as I have almost everytime I have driven since the release failed. Guess what, it decided to work. WTF! The plug to the loom looked brand new inside so didn't do anything to it. All I did was spray Plus Gas into the release button whilst depressed so to flush out any nasties. When pressing the release you could hear the switch engaging so hope this is it for trouble with it but who knows.

Grrrrrr · May 12, 2019

EntropyUK said:
Just an update. Got round to looking at it today . So tried the release button as I have almost everytime I have driven since the release failed. Guess what, it decided to work. WTF! The plug to the loom looked brand new inside so didn't do anything to it. All I did was spray Plus Gas into the release button whilst depressed so to flush out any nasties. When pressing the release you could hear the switch engaging so hope this is it for trouble with it but who knows.

How about that? You got lucky!

P38A Boot actuator connections

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