Discovery 3 tailgate won't open - Lets Fix It!

The tailgate on the Discovery 3 (LR3 for you freedom units crowd) won't open! I knew this might happen and had planned to add an emergency release cable - but never got around to it - and that came back to bite me in the butt when the wife came home yesterday and said she couldn't get into the boot! Watch as I figure out how to get it open, and then how to fix it for cheap!
Tools needed:
8mm socket
13mm spanner or deep socket
T15 Torx bit
Hook tool of some sort
Vice Grips
Tyre irons / levers of some sort
Parts needed:
'Chocolate block' electrical connector
Piece of old gear shift cable from a bicycle
Landrover Parts that you might need:
EOT500013 - Dust / Moisture seal inside lower tailgate
LR013135 - Trim clip for lower tailgate plastic cap
EZU000010PVA - Plastic trim caps for lower tailgate plastic cap

[@SpicedTeaWithACrunch]

Works on a 4 too. Brilliant. Thank you.

[@solihullsyndrome]

You're very welcome!

[@Leedslad31]

Superb! Thank you for making and sharing this video...my Discovery 3 developed the same fault a few months ago, and I've been putting off this awful job. Aided by your video, I have now got the tailgate open and will replicate your repair, as soon as my hands stop bleeding. Once again, thank you! 🙂

[@solihullsyndrome]

I know EXACTLY what you mean about your hands - its a sod of a job getting in there - but I'm glad the video was helpful, and glad you finally got to it :)

[@AdeptHavelock]

Excellent tutorial, cheers 👍

[@solihullsyndrome]

No worries... thanks for watching!

[@jbroughton383]

You can use a bicycle spoke to hook the cable at the solenoid end slide it between the gold baseplate and the plastic cover and pull on that end of the cable its much easier.

[@solihullsyndrome]

Now you tell me! lol 🤣

[@milojkolecic661]

Thank you so helpful 👍

[@terrencesturm3258]

Did you test the emergency cable to make sure it does what you hope it will when the time does come?

[@solihullsyndrome]

Yep - the wife made me test it while she watched - she was the one who got caught out by it when it broke (with all her work gear in the back!), so she wanted to be sure to know how to use it... It needs a firm tug, but it works fine.

[@seanmccarron625]

Hi guys Im a bit confused now with my faulty tailgate. It meets all the criteria of a faulty switch (upper tailgate opens from dash lower tailgate opens ok with switch ) After research I went to go change switch & someone had already attempted the repair. Touched the stripped wires together to check latch unlock functionality without switch - nothing. Is there a voltage reading I should expect on the two stripped switch cables? Is there another step before moving onto the lower tailgate solenoid change? Plus if there is nothing happening at my switch not sure how the lower tailgate solenoid change will alleviate issue upper tailgate switch not functioning? Hope this explanation of my situation so far with tailgate makes sense and any help of the ideal next step would be greatly appreciated Thanking in advance

[@solihullsyndrome]

Hi, so do I have it right that you can open the upper tailgate with the dash, but not the handle on the rear door? And that manually shorting the wires to the handle switch does nothing? I had a quick look at the wiring diagram for a D3, and the switch should have a red wire (possibly with a black trace), which looks like it runs back to a central junction box P101 (I think behind the lower glove box) - it doesn't go directly to the release motor... so it could well be a broken wire somewhere - potentially in the loom where it goes from the taildoor into the vehicle body... I'd start there... The other wire should be black, and run to an earth point... so no, there shouldn't be voltage on either wire I don't think (unless the red wire is held high (5v or 12v, I'm not sure), and is pulled low to ground when the switch is closed)... I've never had to dig that deep into the wiring on my D3 - but I'd definitely suspect the red wire. Check its continuity from the rear door to P101... and keep us posted. Cheers, Steve

[@gwilymrees8597]

I have the issue. Where key fob unlocks/opens (have to time it right) but the button doesn’t

[@seanmccarron625]

The solution on mine was replacing the whole upper tailgate harness back to the 12v supply in the headling. It wasnt the switch that was at fault It was the harness that deteriorated with water ingress. Hope this helps somebody

[@solihullsyndrome]

@@seanmccarron625 Thats awesome information, and is likely the same issue I faced with the window that wouldn't go up on my blue Disco 2... probably the wiring in the door harness. Thank you for sharing your solution, I'm sure it will help someone. Cheers, Steve

[@rizla6220]

Great Video, Very nice field repair :) I fitted a land rover passion manual release, has a insurance when mine does fail. It is a very good kit, check it out.

[@solihullsyndrome]

Cheers, I did look at a few kits but wanted to do something cheap and simple