Manual tailgate release D3

Hi guys, so I may have missed this bit but I have drawers installed no cargo barrier, a fridge does present as quite and obstruction though and I can't open the rear upper tail gate to see if the lower works either... I've just finished setting up camp and the beer is locked in the fridge in the car so I'm quite desperate (devastated) but need to know how to get the tailgate open manually with zero access to the bottom door from behind... And limited access to the upper from inside. Any suggestions? D3 2007.

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Originally Posted by DJL9999

.... need to know how to get the tailgate open manually with zero access to the bottom door from behind... And limited access to the upper from inside....

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It is usually a failure of the upper tailgate latch, which is located in the lower tailgate. The lower itself doesn't seem to fail.
There is nothing you can do until you get access to the inside of lower tailgate.
The process starts like this (photos copied from Disco3, link below):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/459.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/460.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/461.jpg

Then comes the tricky part.
There's a pretty good description and more photos in this Disco3 thread by Disco_Mickey:
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - How To - Tailgate latch replacement

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/462.jpg

Good luck!

Cheers,
Scott

Have you tried running the engine (extra voltage) then trying to open the door?

Have you tried pressing the "lock","unlocked" buttons on the dash. It maybe the micro switch in the tailgate handle has failed. Need to press both at same time and somebody to lift tailgate at the same time.

Ivan
ps mine failed his way.

Hi guys thanks - I tried the voltage and the unlock / lock etc. but after having dismantle and managed to slide (wrestle) the drawer system forward enough to crawl in I had access to beer, tools and the back tail gate.

The plastic prising apart was a bit daunting at the start but once I finally levered it out slightly it all came out.
Not fun and will be putting the Allen key and the manual release in tomorrow!!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/448.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/449.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/450.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/451.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/04/452.jpg

Hi Guys. Just completed my repair of Rear Tailgate actuator assembly. Rather than dicking around trying to connect wires to Allen keys as per previous advice I’ve come up with s very simple fix. Simply use a piece of 2mm wire rope. Make a loop of approx 10cm. Thread it through plastic hole in the actuator and fix both ends to the actuator cable with a 2mm wire rope grip. Simple. Stronger. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/03/76.jpg

All good until the actuator packs up,then you wished you had fitted a cable direct to the latch,while it was all apart.Better to make sure you can access to the beer!

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Originally Posted by LRD414

The task is not too hard if you have your tailgate open but I decided to put together a guide document with a few extra details that may help others.

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I have revised the document to include a couple of improvements from David and correct an error in one photo.

Cheers,
Scott

It's on my list of things to do , I plan to use a D1 interior door release as a permanent release.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LRD414

I have revised the document to include a couple of improvements from David and correct an error in one photo.

Cheers,
Scott

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Thanks for this Scott. It's my turn, I've left it as long as I possibly can as it's completely given up opening the rear tailgate now, only works occasionally, so next time it works, i'll do this fix.. . Hopefully it opens again! I think i need to replace the whole lot as its been getting progressively slower at unlatching over 12 months.

On top of the lifter and rocker cover replacement i'm currently doing on another vehicle, and the evap aircon on the roof that's playing up, e,t,c ....

Not sure if i work harder on break or at work...