Freelander 2 Access

[Xtreme]

While measuring the load space of the 'new' Freelander 2, I closed the rear door and it automatically locked with my only remote fob that I have inside the rear. Because the car was all locked when I approached it and I only unlocked the rear door, I now can't access the car at all.

It's parked on my driveway and I can't get either of my other cars past it so am in a bit of a pickle.

I don't suppose there's any easy way to open so I guess it's a job for either a locksmith or the NRMA?

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Bugger!

There is a keyed lock on the passenger front door which can get you access if you have a key.

Under the small section of the door handle.

Apart from that no "easy" way in, I'd it was easy it'd defeat the purpose of having locks.

If your an NRMA member I'd take that route.

[Xtreme]

Thanks Cambo, unfortunately the emergency 'key' is still in it's usual position in the remote - will have to find somewhere else to carry it once I sort out my present dilemma.
I am a member of the NRMA but don't have this car covered ................ yet.

[p38arover]

There is a method that works on the P38A and the RRS. Graeme has used it on the RRS and ghind has used it on the P38A.

I'll ring you.

Unfortunately, it won't work on the L322 as it superlocks and the interior handle won't work nor can it be unlocked by pulling up the snib.

Edit: Went to Messagebank. PM sent.

[Tusker]

You're welcome to try my key. It's a 2008 build bought new in 2009. There's a say 1 in 20 chance it'll fit. No idea how many key patterns there were.

We did something similar at Paxina - Carol had a load to take out, lifted the tailgate, put the key on the rear bumper, closed the tailgate, & trapped the key between the rubber body seal & edge of the tailgate. That look a while to retrieve..

Regards
Max P

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Rover's Restaurant could have lunch at Normanhurst and everyone could try their key in the door of the Freelander. :)

Are the FII and current/recent Disco/RR keys the same?

[Xtreme]

You're welcome to try my key. It's a 2008 build bought new in 2009. There's a say 1 in 20 chance it'll fit. No idea how many key patterns there were.

We did something similar at Paxina - Carol had a load to take out, lifted the tailgate, put the key on the rear bumper, closed the tailgate, & trapped the key between the rubber body seal & edge of the tailgate. That look a while to retrieve..

Regards
Max P

Thanks for the prompt responses and suggestions.

I have gained access to the car (thanks to NRMA) but unfortunately the key was not inside as thought. After a thorough search and retracing of my movements, it appears that the key must be between the rubber body seal & edge of the tailgate as happened to Max/Carol.

So did you have to remove the inside lining of the rear door/tailgate to be able to unlock it and recover the key Max?

[Tusker]

No removing the trim doesn't help.

With the proverbial coathanger, we found roughly where it was (in the corner). Ours had a leather tag on it. It was possible to get the leather to protrude, just.

While we looked the other way & grimaced, a big burly bloke got inside, feet pushing hard against the corner of the tailgate, managed to get enough movement such that the key could be rerieved from the outside.

Happy to report nothing bent afterwards, no squeaks or rattles, still seals properly.

Regards
Max P

[Xtreme]

Thanks Max.
I've had a bit of a search along the bottom of the door with a bit of yellow tongue plastic but couldn't detect anything. Will have a closer look.
I've had a quick look at removing the lining but that doesn't appear easy with the door in the closed position.

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

If you are inside the car now what is the problem to open the tailgate?

If the latch isn't opening it from the outside then press and hold both the lock and unlock buttons on the dashboard, this unlocks the tailgate.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The problem now is where is the key? Seems it's missing.

Before they were completely locked out, with the key somewhere inside/missing.

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

If you've got a door open /unlocked then the tailgate should be unlocked too.

If not try holding the buttons on the dash.

Edit

Ok I just tried it with ours.

If the doors are locked then the tailgate doesn't open by holding the dash buttons.

But how did the NRMA open the car?

When I opened the door from the inside when it was locked with the remote the alarm went off (horn beeping) and I believe the only way to cancel that is with the remote.

So what did they do?

[Tusker]

It's possible the tailgate microswitch is playing up, in which case it can only be opened with the remote. Whether the car unlocked or not.

Mine's in this state, just haven't got around to fixing it. The fix is here.

Freel2.com - View topic - How to fix the tailgate switch (http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic6143.html?highlight=key+fob)

If Roger's is also playing up, that would explain why the car's unlocked but the tailgate won't open.

Regards
Max P

[Xtreme]

Still haven't found the key - painting the WIR had to take priority then we had friends drop in for afternoon tea.

Anyway although doors are open, unfortunately the car is still in a locked state. NRMA accessed by springing the top of the drivers door and undoing from inside with use of a long hooked rod. All doors could then be opened except the tailgate which, as you'd know, doesn't have an internal handle. The alarm did go off but was silenced by removing the horn relay from the fuse/relay box under the bonnet. In order to save the battery charge. I was also able to turn the hazard lights off by using the hazard switch on the dash.

Tailgate has not given any trouble, with the exception of the current owner initiated problem, so I don't think the micro switch is at fault Max. Something to be aware off to watch out for in the future.

I'm on a pretty steep learning curve with the Freelander, especially with all the 'bells & whistles' that come with the HSE - a big change from a Defender and Disco. but enjoying it.

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Roger you're a 25min drive from my place.

If you can't find the remote fob, I would be able to program "new" ones to your car. The problem is you need two remotes to be programmed it's not possible to just program a single one. The cheapest new complete remotes i've seen at GBP 80 each from the UK and then you have to wait for them to be shipped...

I've not checked the prices from LR here in Australia for the remotes, but I suspect they'll be more than that.

Or if you can find second hand remotes it would also be possible.

It might also be possible to "jump" the tailgate open by making the appropriate connection from one of the junction boxes. I'd have to spend a little time going through the wiring diagrams to figure that one out.

[Xtreme]

Thanks for the tip about the purchase and offer of programming of the new key fobs. Is this done with a Nanocom or do you have some other programming device? I've been told by SWMBO that we are definitely getting a second key fob once this issue is sorted out, or maybe a couple in order to sort this issue out and get back on the road. :D

After dinner I tackled the tailgate lining in earnest and managed to get it almost completely off, all except for the section around the actual lock. As Max said removal of the lining doesn't reveal much as no levers or rods to jiggle in these electrical monsters. However there are three wires in the lock multiplug but no colour coding - all three are black. :o
I can disconnect this multiplug and was wondering if it would be possible to apply a 12v supply directly to the lock side of the connector and if so, which terminals to use for +ve and -ve?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/475.jpg

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Pin 1 = Tailgate Release
Pin 2 = Earth
Pin 3 = Door Lock Tailgate

The "Door Lock Tailgate" runs from the Central Junction Box via a Relay which is also to control the lock on the fuel flap.

The Tailgate Release runs directly from the Central Junction Box

I guess you need to unlock the tailgate first rather than release it?

But 12V on either would be my guess. Maybe the lock first, then the release.

I would not want to put 12V on the plug as that will introduce power to the Central Junction Box and Central Electronics Module which is inside the CJB.

I'd unplug it and put the 12V & earth directly on the pins at the tailgate motor. So unplug the white connector.

[Xtreme]

Thanks again Cambo - the pinout information was spot on.
Problem solved - Tailgate open & Key found :thumbsup: :arms:

I went straight to the earth & release pins (2 & 1) because I reasoned that as all the other doors, although open were still in the locked state so I should keep the tailgate in the same state so all were 'in sync'. However, after a number of unsuccessful attempts with small alligator clips and because the pins were quite small & recessed considerably, the only way I could contact them positively was to make a two point probe with a length of two core wire, a couple of nails, some solder, a bit of insulation tape and a couple of pieces of heatshrink, which worked like a dream - see pic below - and might now find a home in the special tools bin.

I'll now be ordering a second key from UK and will contact you, Cambo to take you up on your kind offer to program it.

Once again the AULRO 'community' has excelled itself and saved me some money. ;)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/431.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/432.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/433.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/434.jpg

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Crisis averted! [emoji2]

[Xtreme]

A question for the Mods ............ Is it possible for this thread to be moved to the Freelander 2 sub-forum?
I just thought that if moved, it would be easier for someone to locate if they found themselves in a similar situation.

[rar110]

A question for the Mods ............ Is it possible for this thread to be moved to the Freelander 2 sub-forum? I just thought that if moved, it would be easier for someone to locate if they found themselves in a similar situation.

Xtreme
Was that your key in the last pic?

Good result.

[Xtreme]

Xtreme
Was that your key in the last pic?

Good result.

Certainly was/is. ;) I now know that when the car is locked and you use the 'tailgate open' button on the remote that it only 'releases' the tailgate to gain access but it doesn't 'unlock' it.
I now need to buy a spare key fob (car only came with one) & have it programmed.

It was found in the same position as Tusker's - see post #5 - after eventually getting the tailgate open, thanks mainly to advice from Cambo351.
Another case of the AULRO community assisting each other and displaying the true Land Rover camaraderie. [thumbsupbig]: :twobeers:

[rar110]

I did a similar thing on a camping trip. The RRV doors were locked but the tailgate was open. After a shower I threw my shorts in the back with the keys in a pocket and closed the tailgate. The next morning when I told my wife of my stuff up, she produced a 2nd key from her bag. What a relief!

[Tusker]

While your at it, you might as well rebuild the key you have. If it isn't already, it'll start sticking in the ignition slot. It's pretty worn by the look of it.

Blank fobs, just the plastic, are very cheap ex UK. Grab a new battery off Ebay, it's a Panasonic 3v item. Split the fob, desolder the old battery & solder in the new, then swap the circuit board into new case. It'll work without reprogramming.

Regards
Max P

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

You wouldn't be surprised at how often this happens, you can also do the same with Jags up to the time they went "keyless". I've done it myself a couple of times...

For this reason I now have a spare key hidden on my cars, I'm not going to say where publicly of course :)

[Xtreme]

While your at it, you might as well rebuild the key you have. If it isn't already, it'll start sticking in the ignition slot. It's pretty worn by the look of it.

Blank fobs, just the plastic, are very cheap ex UK. Grab a new battery off Ebay, it's a Panasonic 3v item. Split the fob, desolder the old battery & solder in the new, then swap the circuit board into new case. It'll work without reprogramming.

Regards
Max P

Thanks Max, interesting that you observed that it is "pretty worn" - I assume that it's one of the originals so has had six + years of use and it is already regularly sticking in the ignition slot.
I had seen the covers while searching Ebay for a complete spare and was considering buying a new cover which, after your suggestion, I will now do.

[SimonM]

What an introduction to your new vehicle. I will be interested to hear your thoughts on the Freelander 2 as time moves on.