Message to the group and thanks in advance. Top tailgate button not opening the top gait on my '06 LR3. Emergency opening, unlock/lock button for 3 seconds works opening it and once open lower gate operates as it should. When top closed I push the button on underside of gate no click, sound anything. When I go the emergency route I do hear clicking at the rear gate and top is open. Any ideas appreciated......

 

Sounds like the button on the gate has gone out. Once the upper tailgate is open you can remove the interior trim and unplug the electrical connection to the assembly that houses the button for the rear tailgate and the lights for the license plate.

The plug will have 3 wires:

Red and Black - this goes to the lights for the licence plate

Black and Grey - This goes to the button to release the upper tailgate

Black - ground

After unplugging the connector find a piece of wire to connect the Black/grey wire to the black wire to simulate the button being pressed. If you hear the actuator then you know your button is broken.

 

thank you Keninnc......figured that might be the protocol but was hoping for a simpler method. My screws to detach the assembly is being stubborn. 2 screws came out 2 not retracting....Thank you again for the reply

 

Oh.. yeah..good luck with that. You will likely just removing the ones you can then, basically, prying the darn thing off. The brass inserts are spinning in the plastic. Once out you may be able to file more and maybe JB weld the inserts back into the plastic. But basically you end up with less screws holding the assembly on.

On a side note, you probably should do it when you have a replacement switch in hand. Not expensive but not repairable.