Tailgate handle problem

Hi, I have a problem with my tailgate door. When I squeeze the handle, it doesn't click like it used to. When I shut the door, the window no longer goes up and stays 2 inches open. Although the door closes, if I touch the squeezy bit of the handle ever so slightly, the door springs open. When the door is shut and yet the window stays open, it will let me lock it on the key fob but it beeps to say the door is open. Anyone got any suggestions, I have looked at possibilities including a new tailgate handle (£100 ish), replacing the motor and an actuator.

I would be very grateful if anyone could shed any light on it as I love my Freelander but am starting to think that my boyfriend is right and we can't keep throwing money at it. Thanks, Cath

Hi, does the tail door window work using the console switch?

Sounds like the door may not be closing fully (hence the door springing open when you press the handle and the door open beep) There's lots of things you could try but as I don't know if you are a 'hands on' diy type owner and this being a safety related problem I can only suggest professional assistance.
Dag..

Anti-burst doors have a two stage latching process and it sound like yours is not going fully home. Stating the obvious and something I am sure you have checked but is there anything preventing the door fully closing?
Beyond that then it comes down to adjustment/cleaning/repair which could involve stripping out the latch and cleaning it. How far you are going to go yourself depends on your own confidence.

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. I can make the window go up and down fully by using the button on the dashboard. It seems to me that the spring has gone in the latch, just like my tunble drier handle when that spring had gone, it went loose and had no give in it. I have checked that there aren't any obstructions, the trim was a bit loose and I wondered if this was catching so I have now ripped this off and it is still not working. I really think it is the spring inside the handle. I am more than happy to have a go as I am quite good at diy stuff, but someone mentioned it may be the microswitch and I would have to buy a whole new handle. This seems crazy, can I just replace the spring thing? Thanks again

The handle mechanism on the Tail door is different to most doors. All the handle actually does is operate a microswitch and not the latch. This is because the window has to be dropped before the door can be opened so squeezing the handle operates the microswitch which signals the CCU that the door is to be opened. The CCU 1st operates the down cct of the window to drop it by 17mm to clear the frame then fires the lock solenoid to open the door. As the handle works this way the resitance it offers when operating it is limited.
The door closed signal is actually generated by the latch mechanism going to the fully latched position. A simple check is as follows, gently close the door until you feel the 1st click, pull on the door without pressing the handle and it should not open. Despite being held the door should feel loose, lean firmly on the door and see if you can get a second latch position to operate. If you can but the window does not go up then it means that the door closed status is not being detected and it is most likely an electrical problem.
If you cannot get the second latch position to engage then it is either the retainer which is in the door frame out of position or the latch is stiff.