Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: home
Posts: 1215
Upper tailgate broken again and again
I keep having problems with my upper tailgate.
The rear door outside switch and the uppertailgate catch with cable were replaced in October. Then the upper tailgate was OK for about a month and then it failed opening again. It never failed completely it will open 1 in 30 times or so. but never in a second attempt just when I come to the D3 or after a longer drive.
So in November it stopt working again and at the dealership it started working again for no reason and didn't fail till january19th. Since then it opens sporadic.
So yesterday it opened so I checked with the dealer and they didn't have time for repair so I had a go myselves. I dismanteld everything and thought I found the problem. The actuator gave the right noises but didn't pull the cable far enough. I tested it with my finger it didn't pull strongly and the catch released easy so I thought the actuator is faulty and bought a new one.
Click image to enlarge
But the new one doesn't work either.
It makes noises and moves a little but not far enough.
Does anyone know what could be the problem?
The dealers computersystem didn't see any faults.
The dealer doesn't have time next week and I have to go to Austria on Monday.
I disconnected the cable from the actuator so I can now open it manually.Roel
1997 Camel Trophy Disco ex-P101JWK (traded it for a Britains 42101)
1984 90 TD5
2005 G4 Disco 3 BN55WPT
Also member of club MTR
and Club Faultmate
Interested in my 4x4 history see my website: www.mudmachine.webklik.nl
Sorry it's in Dutch and with google translator it gets funny.
31st Jan 2009 5:26 pm
Roel
Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: home
Posts: 1215
By the time many of you read this I will be on my way to Austria. I am amased that nobody came with an answer or what I was hoping a probable solution or at least things to check.
When I am in Austria I will pull out my multi meter and read some voltages and test the old actuator straight on 12 volt. To see what it does.
So I think it might be a fault in a relay.
Does somebody have a wireing diagram?
And if there are relays where are the situated?
ThanksRoel
1997 Camel Trophy Disco ex-P101JWK (traded it for a Britains 42101)
1984 90 TD5
2005 G4 Disco 3 BN55WPT
Also member of club MTR
and Club Faultmate
Interested in my 4x4 history see my website: www.mudmachine.webklik.nl
Sorry it's in Dutch and with google translator it gets funny.
2nd Feb 2009 8:57 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26754
Well personally I would check the switch was working reliably. Other than that, the volts check is probably a good next step.
2nd Feb 2009 10:20 am
stapldm
Member Since: 11 Sep 2006
Location: Swine Town
Posts: 2330
I'd have a good check that the earth is working correctly too; I've seen weirder things happen as circuits try and work by finding the ground/earth through another component like a bulb when the earth strap has failed.
Find somewhere other than the earth strap it should be using as the earth (inside the left tow bar stowing cubyhole has a couple spare) to connect one wire of the multimeter. Put the other wire on the negative of the actuator. Set the multimeter to read volts, then hit the release switch and see if any volts are shown. Anything more than 0.2V is likely to show some issues at the tailgate ground point, possibly corrosion (the amount of volts depends on the current - I don't know how much current a good actuator draws, so 0.2v is a guess).
Let us know what happens next?Dr. Ian Malcolm:
"Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
Transgenic tomato anyone?
2nd Feb 2009 2:13 pm
Roel
Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: home
Posts: 1215
I don't think it is the switch as I have my keyfob programmed for the upper tailgate at the moment and it doesn't open it either.
The earth is a good tip as it works a little but not enough. I'll try that tomorrow.
Thanks.Roel
1997 Camel Trophy Disco ex-P101JWK (traded it for a Britains 42101)
1984 90 TD5
2005 G4 Disco 3 BN55WPT
Also member of club MTR
and Club Faultmate
Interested in my 4x4 history see my website: www.mudmachine.webklik.nl
Sorry it's in Dutch and with google translator it gets funny.
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