On a trip recently, my back latch stopped working. When I try to depress the button to release the upper door I can hear the servo fire but the gate doesn't open. I called the dealer and the guy was clueless.

Any ideas? Any tricks to getting the door open from the inside? I have the plastic covering the inside portion of the upper door half way off, buy I couldnt see anywhere to open the door.

To top things off, my right tail light just went out, so now I cant change the bulb.

Thanks for any help..

 

On the dash you have the "master" lock/unlock buttons. Press both at the same time for 3 seconds. That should release thetail door as long as the problem is with the back exterior release switch. If it isn't, then someone with a little know how will have to take the back door appart to manually realease it.

 

if the actuator is working and it still wont open, then lock/unlock wont help you. ive seen the cable that goes from the actuator to the latch snap off, if this is what happend to you, you got some bad luck, only way ive found to get it open is to break the lower tailgate trim so you can get to the actuator, and pull the cable manually, there is no designed way to release it like on a range rover

 

Yes, thats what happened. I spent a few hours today trying to figure out how to get it open. I after debating with myself that I could fix it myself cheaper that the dealer, even if I had to replace a cover panel, I ripped off the back carpeted covered panel, tore back the padded stuff, and there it was, a broken cable. I grabbed my leatherman and pulled it and got it open.

After that I lowered the gate and pulled out the servo to see how it could be rigged back. I settled on getting a piece of steel cable and a crimper and creating a loop that goes thru the actuator hole and back around to the cable, there I will do the crimp. Much, much cheaper that the dealer, and more permanent.

The biggest dilemma was to suck it up and dive into ripping off cover panels. That hurt.

 

Here are some pics of the repair. Total cost (minus the crimping tool which I had): $2.50 (wire and crimp thingys)


This trick worked like a charm.



[IMG]local://upfiles/11160/AD39546283AF442EB19D398E7F9E545D.jpg[/IMG]

 

2nd pic

[IMG]local://upfiles/11160/5558F31F8CA44933819831D1142D4DD3.jpg[/IMG]

 

3rd Pic

[IMG]local://upfiles/11160/7F8699A88890495F94EC64E90889BEB6.jpg[/IMG]

 

Way to go on the repair! I might install a release cable just incase this happens to me. Good Post!

 

I know. Its hard to believe that there isn't an inside release anyway. Seems like an easy addition that would come standard for such a high end vehicle.

 

this just happened to me,,,,,,where is the cable,,is it on the lower door or in the floor,,im trying not to rip the whole car apart,,,,thanks for your help