LR3 Rear hatch electronic switch and Ice!

[Bigtaku]

I live in Alaska, it has been below 32 for a few months now and I do not keep my car in a garage. Water has been getting into the rear hatch black cover that holds the switch and two hatch lights and freezing. When I press the black rubber hatch switch it feels like a solid piece of steel. I'm sure that water has froze it solid. I tried to remove the four bolts that hold the black cover on but they are spinning and won't unscrew. It looks like the bolts screw into a sleave bulit into the cover but I was unable to hold them in fear of making it worse.
Anyone out there have this issue with there 2006 LR3?

 

[EIGHTLUG]

I remember opening my rear hatch @ -2deg here in Colorado with no problem. Sounds like you may need to dig a little deeper into it. I'm not saying -2 and -32 are the same thing, but with a little water induced I can see that happening. From what I remember it really isn't humid in AK @ -32. Interesting.

 

[Bigtaku]

The temp was anywhere from +5 to +25. It has warmed up above frezzing for the time being and the door opens again.

 

[Bigtaku]

We get a lot of rain and snow here in the winter. My LR3 is always wet. I would guess that in Colorado your car is much drier. Is it also garaged at night?

 

[Bigtaku]

I get about 150" of precipitation at my location. Wow, why do I live here again? It is amazing here when it clears up. About 20 times a year...

 

[EIGHTLUG]

No, the Rover lives outside. I agree, it's definitely not as wet here, Denver, as up in AK.

 

[ryan-in-oregon]

I just replaced mine due to a failed switch. Once you remove the bolts there are additional push clips that hold the rest in tight. I had two that just spun when I changed it and all I did was pull out on the whole assembly. The ones that were stripped just pulled out and then I was able to get on the back side with a pair of pliers while I spun the nut off. Mine original was leaking as well due to a failed gasket between the handle and hatch but that wasn't my problem. Mine as you can see in my sig is an 05