I have a 2002 Freelander 5 Door TD4, and it has developed a dangerous problem.

The rear tailgate catch is operating by it's self, and tonight it happened while I was driving, and the tailgate opened fully.

I had to use the car tonight, so I had to strip down the trim and disconnect the plug on the rear wiring going to the door catch, this also put the numberplate light out, but at least I was able to drive with out the tailgate opening.

I contacted the garage I bought it from, (I have owned it for about four months, so the warranty is one month out) they said that the tailgate handle will be sticky, and a bit of WD40 should clear it. I tried it, but as I thought it didn't make any difference.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? I was planning on stripping down the rear handle next, and if necessary I will have to change the tailgate handle to see if it sorts things out.

Thanks.

Innes

On 3-door models, this can be caused by the switch in the body side which detects if a hard-top or soft-top is fitted. A faulty or badly adjusted switch will cause the window to lower itself.

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On 3 or 5 door models, several owners have had the control unit replaced to cure the problems of returning to a parked car to find the rear window open. This can also be caused by dirty or faulty sensors in the rear door.

degs said:

On 3-door models, this can be caused by the switch in the body side which detects if a hard-top or soft-top is fitted. A faulty or badly adjusted switch will cause the window to lower itself.

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On 3 or 5 door models, several owners have had the control unit replaced to cure the problems of returning to a parked car to find the rear window open. This can also be caused by dirty or faulty sensors in the rear door.

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I think Innes means the whole tailgate not just the window. I've had the window problem which was traced to "a bad earth". The handle might be sticking so worth a look at the solenoid which doesn't release the catch until the window has lowered that bit. Please let us know how you get on.
Allan

Its a 400 millisecond delay from when the handle is pressed to when the tailgate drops, if there is no delay then solenoid is stuck.. LR nearly gave up on the rear tailgate idea during the design stage.

I stripped down the tailgate handle tonight, and it all seemed to be working properly. The only problem I could see, was that in the area of the number plate light recess it was very damp. This area houses the connector for the rear handle, so this could have been wet, causing it to short out, and operate the door. I am not convinced, but it is possible.

I fitted it all back together, and it has worked properly since. I will have to keep an eye on it. I will drive with the central locking activated for a while, to try and reduce the chances of it opening it's self. Time will tell.

While this was going on, one of the cables snapped on the rear R/H door window. I stripped that down, fitted a stainless steel bicycle gear cable to replace the damaged section, and after a couple of adjustments, it is working as smooth as ever.

Innes

Well done that man on both counts, saved yourself a fortune no doubt

Two days later, and all is well. Seems that it was moisture in the numberplate light recess after all.

Innes