HaggisMuncher · Jan 24, 2023

Hi,
I was in the process of buying a used Freelander today and after taking it for a test drive I realised the driver door doesn't unlock.

Central locking activated when we started driving locking the doors however pulling the door handle didn't unlock them.
My wife was in the front passenger seat and when she went to open her door, it unlocked all of them including the driver's side.
I'm assuming something is broken that actuates the driver's lock from the door handle.
I also tried unlocking the door manually but that didn't seem to work either.

The car is in amazing condition apart from this fault and short of asking the dealer to fix it, I'm wondering how simple of a job it would be?

Nodge68 · Jan 24, 2023

HaggisMuncher said:
The car is in amazing condition apart from this fault and short of asking the dealer to fix it, I'm wondering how simple of a job it would be?

Did the unlock button on the dash release the door?

You'll need to run a diagnostic on the door module which should give the item causing the error.
It could well be the switch in the door actuator assembly. Unfortunately it's not easy to get at as the window needs removing.
So it's best to run a proper diagnostic before wasting hours of work changing something that isn't faulty.

HaggisMuncher · Jan 24, 2023

Nodge68 said:
Did the unlock button on the dash release the door?

You'll need to run a diagnostic on the door module which should give the item causing the error.
It could well be the switch in the door actuator assembly. Unfortunately it's not easy to get at as the window needs removing.
So it's best to run a proper diagnostic before wasting hours of work changing something that isn't faulty.

I didn't notice a door unlock on the dash, it had a manual lock below the door handle though and that didn't seem to unlock it.
It was only when my wife opened her door that I could open the driver's side.

I'm going to ask the dealer to look into it. It's otherwise in a really good condition and would hate for this to be the reason to walk away from it

Nodge68 · Jan 24, 2023

HaggisMuncher said:
I'm going to ask the dealer to look into it. It's otherwise in a really good condition and would hate for this to be the reason to walk away from it

I would.
Make sure it's had the Haldex, rear diff and PTU get fluid changes too, or those will be failing at some point.

HaggisMuncher · Jan 24, 2023

Nodge68 said:
I would.
Make sure it's had the Haldex, rear diff and PTU get fluid changes too, or those will be failing at some point.

Thanks for the heads up.
It had a massive wad of paper with service history every year since 2009 so I'd like to think an owner that took that much care would have frequently changed out the oil.
I'll look through the service paperwork again to confirm when it was last done though.

Nodge68 · Jan 24, 2023

HaggisMuncher said:
I'll look through the service paperwork again to confirm when it was last done though.

If it was serviced as per the LR service schedule, all drive line components are 10 years or 150k miles, whichever comes sooner.
Unfortunately the Haldex, rear diff or PTU seldom make the service intervals without failing. The same components on other vehicles (the Volvo XC60 is basically identical) which use the same system have service intervals of 3 years or 30k, so on these vehicles these components seldom fail.

Optimus Prime · Feb 9, 2023

the door lock solenoid is a common issue

It's a bit of a fiddle but can be changed with a bit of time and patience.

first time I did it took me an hour and a half being really careful. I've got it down to 40 minutes now.

Part is about £50 on ebay, should take an hour or so for a garage

The backs are a lot harder as there is less space due to the shape of the door

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