Tailgate latch

Is this normal ? maybe I should have waited a year or two before trying to pick your brains?
Anyway, the problem I have with my P38 is the rear upper tailgate keeps failing to lock. I have done a temporary fix by wrapping the latch with tape,but the catch mech chews this up in a very short time and leaves me back at square one. I have tried adjusting and or packing out, all to no avail.
CAN ANYONE HELP PLEASE??

A bit more information might help.
Does it not latch down into the lower tailgate or does it not lock when you lock the car? What exactly are you wrapping in tape? How does that help?

tape is going round the U shaped piece on the upper tailgate.
The upper tailgate fails to lock when it is closed ie can be opened without using the release button. This brings up a fault warning on the dash when the ignition is on.

Sorry mate, not ignoring you just had a busy day. I've got a couple of little things to do on my Rangie tomorrow and I'll have a quick look at the tailgate before I get started.

Basics - get youself a screwdriver about the same diameter as the U latch. Imitate the top hatch coming down by pressing the screwdriver into the latch mechanism in the lower tailgate. It should sort of roll over and grab the screwdriver. Then pressing the button should cause the mechanism to open and release. Don't forget that this is all operated by a motor so you're probably looking for an electrical fault inside the lower tailgate. If you don't want to get too involved you could just replace the lock mechanism, Rangie tailgates rust well so you would probably find a breaker who would be glad of a few bob for the lock from an otherwise knackered tailgate.

Cheers Dogsbody, Iv'e tried all the above apart from the electrical side,the lock works perfect with the screwdriver but thats all.Still no joy, apart from using tape on the u catch. Looks like I will be trying the replacement latch route after all. Will let you know when and how it gets resolved.
Lordgord

O.K. Silly maybe but have you checked the hinges on both tailgates? You haven't got a hinge that's moved and thrown everything out of line, have you? Same again with the latch mechanism, you haven't lost a bolt somewhere?

Had a good long play with the lower gate latch this afternoon, it seems only to work when it feels like it, even when I use the appropriate screwdriver. After a good dose of wd40 I got it to lock when I closed the upper gate, so I am leaving it at that till I get hold of a replacement lower latch.

Got the replacement parts from local breakers for the princely sum of £29.00. Everything I needed and more, I swapped out both actuators, readjusted the U catch, and bingo!! everything works fine again. Thanks to those who helped with suggestions here on the forum, I hope this saves someone some time and effort in the future.
Lordgord