Thread: Can’t open the tailgate!

It’s a very common problem, the actuator (part # FUG500010) gets sluggish and needs to be replaced. It’s housed in the lower tailgate and is a pretty straight forward job once you have the upper tailgate open (Lots of videos on YouTube).

Hi

I had the same problem on my D4. There are lots of links on here and the UK Disco forums with pics of how to pull the trim off the tailgate. It's not difficult once you get the tail gate down! I was lucky and eventually it did open for mey. Otherwise you have to get into the back of the car and cut into the trim. So keep trying and hopefully it will open.

I got the tailgate actuator part number FUG500010 from Roverlord in Victoria. The part in 2018 was $101. I did the replacement myself which did save heaps compared to getting any dealer to do it. So you may as well order it tomorrow so you will have it!

There are also some posts on here on how to add a wire trace to it so if the prob occurs again you have a manual backup method. I have not yet done that with mine. Cross fingers.

Mike

Originally Posted by wardy1

Never had this problem before today. Can’t open the tailgate!
tried operating the remote several times, moved the car (thinking a bit of chassis twist might do it) and nope, it won’t open. I hear the mechanism doing it’s thing but it won’t open.

any ideas?

Waiting to get mine repaired.

Have you tried using the fob unlock at the same time as you try to unlock the top section via the underside locking handle of the actual top section- works on mine as an interim step

Originally Posted by speleomike

Otherwise you have to get into the back of the car and cut into the trim.

If you can’t open the tailgate, you don’t need to cut into the trim. Inside the boot you just need to pry the lower tailgate carpeted section away from the hard plastic edge where the lower and upper tailgates meet. Best to use a plastic trim tool but a paint scrapper or flat screw driver would work. Numerous videos on YouTube showing how to do it.

Thanks guys. The new actuator is in transit..using the remote at the same time as pressing the lartch has worked so getting to it all should be ok
thanks again to all

Originally Posted by wardy1

Thanks guys. The new actuator is in transit..using the remote at the same time as pressing the lartch has worked so getting to it all should be ok
thanks again to all

I would highly recommend taking the carpet trim off while waiting for the new actuator to arrive. When the actuator starts to become sluggish it will open now and then for a short period of time then it suddenly won’t work at all. It is an easy job to get the lower tailgate open with the carpet trim removed but a real challenge with it on

I’ve just bought a 2008 D3, with the tailgate not opening. I found that the actuator sounded like it was working, but only the RHS would unlock, and not the LHS. I found all the YouTube self help videos, and all gave good pointers, but the best was an English bloke, who reminded me of a cross eyed John Malcovich. His was definitely the best, search powerfulukltd.

However, after pulling the trim back, the problem turned out to be the tailgate LHS lower actuator P/N FUG500130. That required taking as many screws as possible off the internal circular panel, and squeezing my hand past. It’s apparently a rare fault, so much so, many spare parts dealers in Perth don’t stock it. I did source one ex East Coast thru Barbagello. I’m looking forward to getting it and putting the trim back together.

One question though, has anyone else had the same defect, and if so, the little Johnson Electric motor inside that drives the actuary gear, do you have a part number, and is that little motor available to purchase separately?

Originally Posted by Wembus888

I’ve just bought a 2008 D3, with the tailgate not opening. I found that the actuator sounded like it was working, but only the RHS would unlock, and not the LHS. I found all the YouTube self help videos, and all gave good pointers, but the best was an English bloke, who reminded me of a cross eyed John Malcovich. His was definitely the best, search powerfulukltd.

However, after pulling the trim back, the problem turned out to be the tailgate LHS lower actuator P/N FUG500130. That required taking as many screws as possible off the internal circular panel, and squeezing my hand past. It’s apparently a rare fault, so much so, many spare parts dealers in Perth don’t stock it. I did source one ex East Coast thru Barbagello. I’m looking forward to getting it and putting the trim back together.

One question though, has anyone else had the same defect, and if so, the little Johnson Electric motor inside that drives the actuary gear, do you have a part number, and is that little motor available to purchase separately?

Yes it’s a Ford Fiesta actuator

Land Rover Discovery 3 4 Rear Trunk / Tailgate Actuator Fix for £10 ! LR3 LR4 - YouTube

This looks like it

Tailgate Central Lock Motor Actuator for Fiesta Mk6 Ford Fusion New 2S6T432A98AF | eBay