A hiccup with tailgate locking...

[Pierre]

​
Hi, store of knowledge holders and a happy new year to all.

In the year's end repair everything that is broken frenzy, I acquired a driver's side door latch assembly to solve the random lock operation and flattening battery syndrome. The installation has gone well, with all the BeCM inputs made, keys resynchonized and so on.

I have two issues:

1. the tailgate lock is not unlocking with the fob or key. I opened the tailgate from the inside by removing the carpet panel and examined the latch components and no damage is visible. Fuse F15 is intact. Hints, anywhere?
2. the central locking operates to lock the body about 1 minute after it has been unlocked.

AFAIWA, neither of these things were occurring before

Is anyone able to often some wise pearls so I can solve these problems and use the lovely old thing in the manner I have become used to. It is apparent that the latch change has upset the universe.

Pete

[prelude]

Some vehicles tend to lock their doors after being unlocked (by remote) if the drivers side door has not been opened within X amount of time. My range rover has not had a working fob in many many years so I can't recall if it did so to begin with, it does not do so when unlocked with the key.

The only reason I can think of in this case is that the door latch switch is not properly functioning or registering maybe? Regarding the rear, that indeed puzzles me for now. Not sure what is happening there but you might try to operate it by undoing the power plug from the servo and put 12v on it to see if it by any unforeseen chance has decided to stuff up at the exact moment you worked on the car :) Also, when the plug is removed put a voltmeter or small bulb on the other end and see what happens if you operate the button.

Cheers,
-P

[V8Ian]

My L322 will relock itself in about a minute, if unlocked with the fob, but not opened.
Does P38 have a separate tailgate button on the fob, or require two unlock presses to unlock the tailgate?
Possibly the replaced lock has enabled the locking protocol to revert to its design parameters.

[Pierre]

Ian, thanks for the thoughts. A separate pushbutton opens the top tailgate and then the bottom tailgate. I checked that the push button was intact and functioning. The wiring is intact without shorts apparent. it may well be a dud latch. I've also asked the supplier for their advice on the matter. We will see what happens.

Pete

[PeterH]

Hi Pete, the drivers door latch you have fitted, is it new or second hand?
What was the locking doing prior to the new latch being fitted?
My first suspect is an issue with the latch itself, when they are faulty, they can cause all sorts of things to happen, doors locking and unlocking on their own, etc.
The tailgate button can cause issues with the tailgate not unlocking, but from what you describe, your issue seems to be central locking related.

[Pierre]

Peter, I have contacted the supplier in Wales for their input. It was a used latch, so may well have an issue only they can solve! The previous behaviour was random locking and unlocking, waking of the BeCM, battery flattening/killing and all the other things that go with the expanded situation. Waiting now for a response, and we will see what happens next.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Pete

[V8Ian]

Pete, have you looked at the settings and checked for faults with a Nanocom or
IID?

[PeterH]

If it were me, I'd be putting a new latch in, I'm suspecting the second hand latch is causing your issues.
I know they can be a bit pricey, but that will probably solve your problems.
I had similar symptoms with my door locks jumping up and down, it would lock and unlock itself randomly.
I fitted a new latch and all the problems went away immediately.
That was about 10 years ago now.
You might be lucky and they will refund you for the faulty item.
Hope you get it sorted!
Give Dave a call at british car components in Melbourne, he will get you sorted out with the correct item.

[zzsteve]

Pete,

I seem to recall that a tailgate latch earthing or supply runs from the driver's door latch. Have a look at the ETM and the answer might be in your question.

HTH

Steve

(as PeterH says)

[Scouse]

If you still have your original latch, contact Lee at Labtronx. He will be able to repair it.

[Pierre]

Charles Nicholas at CN4x4s in Wales sent me another used door latch. In better external condition, it works perfectly.

After some forensic examination, the original latch has worn microswitches which make/break on their own, so their replacement would probably repair the lock mechanism. The initial latch from UK purchased to replace the original had issues with the rear lock switching which could also be easily repaired. Even though this vehicle had been relegated to a horse feed carrier on the stud near Rushworth, there was no sign of corrosion in the wiring, connectors or switch gear associated with the locking circuits - a big plus, I think.

So all's well that ends well, until the next time.

Thanks to all - the advice was helpful and to the point.

Cheers, all!

Pete