LR3 / LR4 | Discovery 3 Upper Tailgate won't open | How to open from inside and replace the latch

This time I fix the dreaded Upper tailgate broken latch cable on my Discovery 3. The fix for this applies to the LR4/Discovery 4 as well. The tailgate needs to be opened from inside the cab by removing the interior trim on the lower section of the tailgate. This will give access to the latch assembly. This would be a real headache if you had a cargo barrier in place. Now with this job fixed I will have to look at making the emergency manual release mod
Replacement latch cable part number FQR500080, purchased through Island4x4
www.island-4x4.co.uk/upper-ta...
If you enjoyed this video and would like to see more then please give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and consider subscribing so you don't miss a new upload. You don't have to do all three (or any if you don't want) but it really helps grow the channel.
If you'd like to support the channel so I can keep making videos for you all then please consider a donation via the super thanks!

[@NathanFletcher-zn2dm]

Thank you. This helped save me alot of money. For everyone's awareness, the mk6 fiesta actuator fits perfectly and only costs £9 off ebay.

[@Shanes_Shed]

Great tip, thanks very much!

[@margueriteenright4857]

Very helpful video before I start troubleshooting why my upper tailgate won’t open. Fun times ! Land Rover life !

[@Shanes_Shed]

Never a dull moment with a Land rover

[@neilbarbour617]

Really helpful, great video (loved hearing the kids in the background arguing!)…. Planning on sorting mine this week.

[@Shanes_Shed]

The amount they argue its actually amazing that I can make so many videos where you cant here them!

[@lebeef143]

Your video saved me. I used a paint can opener to remove the carpet and it was easy.

[@Shanes_Shed]

Glad it helped out.

[@tjjohnson4185]

The best video that I have seen on this so far. Thanks.

[@Shanes_Shed]

Wow, thanks!

[@rationalthinker9181]

I own a Discovery 4 love the car wish it was Japanese because damn LR have devised new and inventive ways to break things that you would never even consider

[@Shanes_Shed]

I hear you there. I'm sure we all want LR comfort with Toyota reliability

[@leoschneede3787]

Great and very instructive video - thanks for that. Kudos for working barefooted =)

[@Shanes_Shed]

Thanks Leo

[@belky01]

Thanks for this video!

[@Shanes_Shed]

No worries!

[@mustydan2001]

You little ripper. My mechanic had no idea and couldn't find how to do it. I'll show him this. You're a life saver :)

[@Shanes_Shed]

No worries, happy to help

[@OUTBACKDiscovery]

I might change mine before it fails, wouldn't really be able to get to mine with the fridge and shit in the way

[@Shanes_Shed]

at least put in an emergency release - Im going to do that when I get some time

[@ourdiscovery325]

hey Shane hope your doing well, i was hoping for a bit of help please. so I've got a problem with my upper boot and the rubber button, the button works I've tested it on a separate quickly made up circuit. but when its on the car nothing happens no noise, no release, nothing. but if i hold the lock and unlock button on the dash the upper boot pops of the lock? but not fully opens, like if you shut the upper boot door but not hard enough it fully shuts.. any help will be mostly appreciated thank you

[@Shanes_Shed]

Holding the lock and unlock dash buttons will do exactly as you describe for me also - will only open if you have someone else there to pull it completely open when you hit the buttons. I'd be personally looking at the upper tailgate wiring for the release button, sounds like there's an issue somewhere there - I'm no where near any wiring diagrams so can't help narrow your search any further at this stage

[@ourdiscovery325]

@@Shanes_Shed ok ill have a dig around to what i can find, cheers again

[@konen5807]

How do u get the carpet panel off I’m having no luck and no idea what to do

[@Shanes_Shed]

You'll need a couple of screwdrivers (flat blade) or scrapers - something thin enough to get in between the plastic trim, but rigid enough to lever the carpet panel out from under it.

[@Shanes_Shed]

it does take some force and you'll think your going to break something - which may or may not happen.

[@Jason52597]

I couldn't find that silver cable?

[@Shanes_Shed]

Its not easy to spot at first, but keep at it as it will be there

[@davidmcgranaghan2081]

Why dont press the 2 bottons to open the door at the same time . My one i have to get some one to press the back door and i push the 2 opan and lock bottons and it opens

[@davidmcgranaghan2081]

Just press them in at the same time and it opens

[@Shanes_Shed]

Cable was broken between the actuator and latch so that method doesn’t work in this case. Even if it opens the bottom tailgate the upper tailgate will still be latched

[@georginaringe7433]

And if you can’t get in the back due to cargo barrier ?

[@Shanes_Shed]

You find a creative way to remove the cargo barrier.

[@jeremyskelton1604]

on my discovery 3 my latch on the handle doesn't make a noise when pressed. And when the lock and unlock with fob I don't hear any noise inside door. So this film is no good for mine after 20 seconds. Anyone help

[@Shanes_Shed]

Sounds like either the actuator is dead, or there's an electrical issue to the actuator. If the actuator is dead then you'll be breaking into it the same way I had to.

[@jeremyskelton1604]

@@Shanes_Shed thanks for the reply. I have to get it done I guess.

[@jeremyskelton1604]

it's idiot with discovery 3 again. I've just done the hold both buttons on dash and I heard the doors and then the actuator at the back. My back door I can now pull it 10 mill but not open it. The handle makes no noise it's dead.

[@Shanes_Shed]

Seems like your actuator is working then. Mine will also unlatch when holding both dash buttons and will move just like yours if i try to open it without the handle. Try having a second person at the tailgate to pull it open as soon as it unlatched- that works for me without using the outside handle

[@jeremyskelton1604]

@@Shanes_Shed thanks for that and your time

[@mosiaotunya44]

2010 LR4, (DISCO 4) BEFORE YOU DO THIS, use your key fob and see if the button on the key fob will release the hatch. I ordered a new actuator, tore the back panel apart. And the tailgate button still wouldn't work, then realized there was a button on the remote fob, and turns out the old actuator still worked, so it must be the button on the top part of the hatch. Don't be an idiot like me!

[@Shanes_Shed]

You can also press both the lock and unlock buttons at the same time on the dash with the D3 and that will release the tailgate. But you raise a good point - narrow down the potential cause of a fault as much as you can before ordering parts. If its just the normal broken cable (like this was) then you should be able to hear the actuator attempting to open the door.

[@mosiaotunya44]

@@Shanes_Shed yep, I have a D4 so the lock/unlock button thing doesn't work. And I keep my key fob in a leather holder on my belt because of keyless entry. So I never looked at it to see the hatch release button. Now I know to test all avenues before going on KZbin and fixing something that isn't broken haha

[@SailingSarah]

who would trust a piece of trash like Land Rover to take them into the wild? you'd have to be a fool to depend on this truck!

[@Shanes_Shed]

Guess I must be a fool then