07 plate Td4

Can only open the tailgate using the dedicated tailgate button on the fob.
The open all button on fob won't open it but opens all the other doors and the tailgate handle itself won't open the tailgate.

Any ideas?

You will find that the likely cause is a corroded switch in the rear release button caused by water ingress. I had to replace my button last year.
Replacing the button involves removing the tailgate inner panel then unbolting the whole tail gate grab handle including the number plate lamps.


LR020997 - SWITCH ASSY REAR END DOOR FL2 £28.92 + vat = £34.20 inc vat

Mine was £30 from Duckworths you only need a 10mm socket philips screw driver and a mug of tea,takes 1 hour start to finnish even when you have not swapped one before.

Cheers chaps!!

I took it apart and the switch holder was full of water.. tipped it all our, dried it all off... half a ton of lithium grease and WD40 and it's working fine.
LR supplied the wrong part anyways.. It had different bulb holders and an extra plug that had no where to go...

I did the same. After many years suffering in winter when the tailgate release full of water freezes and cannot get in boot !

I the light/handle housing from the boot lid and removed the rear tailgate release from the light/handle housing. Clean and dry thoroughly.

Inspect for rubber perishing on the release handle itself.To seal it up from watering ingress apply a non-acid cure external sealant to the edges before re-assembling. (IMPORTANT - use non-acid cure sealants because acid cure will damage the car !).

In addition if you have an earlier model I suggest inspecting the seal around the high stop lamp. Mine was leaking water like the Titanic which dribbles down under the inner tailgate trim and down into the wiper and release mechanism. To solve this remove the high stop lamp, clean and dry thoroughly, before re-assembly apply a thin film of non-acid cure external sealant to the edges. Assemble and leave to dry.

Sorted !


Mine: 56 plate Freelander 2 GS 2.2 TD4