The tailgate on my '03 D2 is locked shut and won't open by the outside or inside door handle. Power locks don't release it either. How can I get it unlocked? I've sprayed WD40 on outside of latch after removing the LR emblem; that handle moves freely and isn't sticking. I also took off the inside panel and tried to release the lock from inside the door. All of the levers move freely and nothing has come loose???? Is there any way to get to the cam that locks around the post on the door frame? That's the only way it's going to open. What would LR do with this if I took it to them, which I definitely want to avoid? Help!!!!

 

You popped off land rover cover on back/outside of door and sprayed into there? That is what I do every few months and it works.

 

I did. I've tried everything I can think of...no luck!

 

Look in the Rave for the schematic. It sounds like the rod that goes from the handle (shared between both) came off. Thin silver rod if I remember correct. If you can locate that and get a good grasp you should be able to pull and open.

 

I had that same issue with my 99 a week after I bought it.

My actuator needed replaced. They are pricey new, but I didn't want to risk it going used for half price out of fear it would go out soon.

Anyways, it's been over a year since I've been through this so the details are foggy. After ordering the actuator it took me literally 2 hrs to get the door open. I had to go from the inside with the panel removed and using the thin metal rods once you find the the one connected to the outside handle you work it back and forth as far as it goes, and eventually if you're lucky it will finally open.

I did this method before ordering the new one and only wiggled back and forth for probably 5min and it started working again perfect for a week. After that week it stopped and that's when I ordered the new one. The second time like I said took 2 hrs of sweating and cussing.

I'd go ahead and order a new actuator if it was me. Replacing the actuator itself takes about 45min to maneuver the old out and new in once you finally get the door open.

I know this isn't the simple answer you'd like but it's all I've got, and it's more then I found anywhere when I was in your place. Good luck

 

Thanks for the reply, Madlands. I'm surprised there aren't any others that have gone thru all of the steps we did and are able to offer additional suggestions. I definitely appreciate the responses I've received! I've tried them all but the door's still locked tight. After another cup of coffee, I'll go try your cure for a couple of hours. I love my D2 but it can certainly be a pain to work on!!!!

 

If it is LOCKED shut then when you pull the inside handle it should unlock it even if the actuator is dead and the door won't open. If your lock is staying locked(lock tab down in door) when you try using the interior handle trying using the rod connected to it and MAYBE it'll pull it far enough to unlock(lock tab sticking up out of door). If not then I'm not sure what to tell you.

Mine would unlock from the inside handle but the door wouldn't open once it was unlocked.

Regardless just keep at it and I'm sure you'll get it to finally work. And when you do make sure to post back exactly what you did so others later aren't at a loss like us. I would have but at the time wasn't a forum member.

 

Will do. Thanks again.

 

Same thing happened to me.... I sprayed and sprayed and sprayed and it never budged. What finally worked for me was crawling into the back and kicking the door on the side with the lock, I had my wife stand outside the door and every time I kicked she'd attempt to open it. I guess it knocked something back into place because it opened right up after 2-3 kicks and hasn't given me trouble since

 

I'm driving it up to the mtns in NC this weekend. Maybe it'll get jarred open on some of those dirt roads! If not, I'll be back in the garage next weekend....