Tailgate won't open from inside or outside

Rockbeard

Well-known member
Jul 18, 2015
80
0
memphis, tn
My 2000 D2 tailgate won't open anymore. tried to open and the handle stuck in the open position. tried the inside handle - no open. Any ideas or knowledge is appreciated. am i gonna have to destroy the inner panel to get this thing to open? what you guys think?
 

squirt

Well-known member
Nov 13, 2008
824
13
Los Angeles
You can manually bring the exterior hand back to the resting position by prying down on it gently with a screwdriver, plastic trim tool, etc. I had this issue back when I lived in a place that got rain and snow. The hand hinge gets rusty and seizes.

If the handle is held in the "open" position, the door won't unlock. Once you get it back to the resting position, you should be able to unlock and open the door. Then take the exterior handle apart, clean it up, and lube it. If I recall correcly, I've had to replace the pivot pins on at least one of these to get it working smoothly again.
 

mearstrae

Well-known member
Mar 15, 2017
143
18
Pennsylvania
I had this same problem on my '99 S2. I popped out the Land Rover emblem and reached in to unjamb the lever. This also gave me good access to lube everything inside.
 

Rockbeard

Well-known member
Jul 18, 2015
80
0
memphis, tn
ill try the emblem popping deal, but squirt pointed me in the right direction. popped the handle back with a screwdriver, unlocked door again, opened right up. the handle still wants to stick so i guess ill lube the heck out of it . thanks
 

ACR

Member
Dec 1, 2017
20
0
Vancouver BC Canada
My handle has been sticking lately and I had this happen last night. After prying it to the resting position it will not open either from the inside or outside
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
Is it a broken lock spring? If so, you should be able to open it by turning the key in the lock and pulling the handle while holding the key in the "unlock" position. Or, from the inside, pull and hold the lock plunger up while operating the handle. If this gets your door open then you need a new spring. Cheap part, easy fix, but having small hands helps reach inside the door cavity. I've done this repair on 3 of my 5 doors and have a write-up with photos if you want it.
 
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Broken lock springs are a d1 issue. As d2 include locking motors inside door locks, they dont have this small spring. But they are prone to be stuck by dirt. Incredibly the hole where child- lock lever comes out is a dust-highway. You should try if possible to spray some WD40 trough this hole and to move this lever. That helps to unlock tailgate and both rear doors. And periodical hidrojet-lube from this point prevents this trouble to come back.

Regards
 

Moonrock

New member
Feb 5, 2019
1
0
Atlanta, GA
Is it a broken lock spring? If so, you should be able to open it by turning the key in the lock and pulling the handle while holding the key in the "unlock" position. Or, from the inside, pull and hold the lock plunger up while operating the handle. If this gets your door open then you need a new spring. Cheap part, easy fix, but having small hands helps reach inside the door cavity. I've done this repair on 3 of my 5 doors and have a write-up with photos if you want it.
Is it a broken lock spring? If so, you should be able to open it by turning the key in the lock and pulling the handle while holding the key in the "unlock" position. Or, from the inside, pull and hold the lock plunger up while operating the handle. If this gets your door open then you need a new spring. Cheap part, easy fix, but having small hands helps reach inside the door cavity. I've done this repair on 3 of my 5 doors and have a write-up with photos if you want it.
Tugela, the spring on my D1 tailgate is apparently broken and I plan to replace it, but the job seems a bit intricate. You stated that you have a write-up with photos of the process. If possible, will you please send to me at jskidwell@bellsouth.net ? Thanks in advance!
 

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
I used that write-up to put together a post in the tech guide. I noticed the pictures were back with the new site update.
 

wrldky

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2004
410
7
Raleigh, NC
Levi, Glad you were able to perfect upon my write up and photos. It's interesting to see the photos even after my Discovery 1 is long gone. On to my 3rd Land Rover a 2002 Land Rover Discovery 2. Purchased for $2k in 2011. It's still rolling though 200K+miles later.
 

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
Levi, Glad you were able to perfect upon my write up and photos. It's interesting to see the photos even after my Discovery 1 is long gone. On to my 3rd Land Rover a 2002 Land Rover Discovery 2. Purchased for $2k in 2011. It's still rolling though 200K+miles later.

Thanks for putting that together! I'm sure it has saved a lot of people a lot of time over the years.