Liftgate Manual Release mod
This mod is part is an attempt to solve the Liftgate will not open problem before it becomes one. This mod allows manual release of the latch located in the lower half of the rear hatch so that the upper hatch will release. The assumption is that the lower electrics still work so that the lower door can then be opened as usual.
I found that removal of the carpeted cover from the Liftgate, while easy, was still a bit of a chore even when working under perfect conditions – nice weather, lots of time, and fixing a problem before it was one.
Per the pictures link below, (pictues woud not fit in post), in brief, what I did was clamp a length of wire rope fishing leader to the existing pull cable and then run the release cable thru up the carpeted cover.
I used a #0 lead fishing weight as the clamp as I could not find anything more suitable. The lead weight is not the best, as the lead is very soft and really does not hold that well, but again, one is not yanking on the release daily. My first attempt was with a smaller #00 weight, but that worked even less well. The picture shows my first attempt with the #00 weight by the way.
As far as tools, one needs a Torx T15 screwdriver and an 8 mm socket, some pliers to squeeze the weight; also side cutters to cut the 0.032” wire rope fishing leader and a 13mm wrench to remove the ball sockets that anchor the retractable cables to the ends of the lower door.
When you remove the carpeted cover, (it just sort of lift/pulls off – held on by round plastic clips – start at the bottom, (the hinge end) as that seems to work the best). You will first have to remove the “balls” , (13 mm wrench), that retain the retractable cables that carry the lift gate so have a winter coat or the like to support / place between the bumper and the painted surface of the Liftgate.
Once the carpet cover is removed, you will have to cut what I call a dust cover – sort of thick plastic sticky poly). It turns out that a multi-conductor power cable that runs the latch setup is stuck to the underside of the poly – hence when you cut the plastic, if you are not careful, you will also cut a few of the about 6 conductors just under the plastic.
With the poly cut, you will see a gold box thing – the actuator is within. The box is held to the door by two 8mm cap screws in a slot – you just loosen the cap screws and sort of work the box back towards the speaker and then out. Then you undo the two T15 Torx screws and remove the gold metal cover and inside is the release mechanism.
Re the release cable, I drilled a very small hole in the carpet and pushed the 0.032" diameter release wire thru and then slipped the loose end under the black plastic. To release with the liftgate etc closed, from the inside, just pull the loose end free from under the black plastic and gently pull about ¼ inch (5mm), and the upper door catch should release. The assumption is that the lower door electric latch is still working and that then the lower door can also be opened.
http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4155
This mod is part is an attempt to solve the Liftgate will not open problem before it becomes one. This mod allows manual release of the latch located in the lower half of the rear hatch so that the upper hatch will release. The assumption is that the lower electrics still work so that the lower door can then be opened as usual.
I found that removal of the carpeted cover from the Liftgate, while easy, was still a bit of a chore even when working under perfect conditions – nice weather, lots of time, and fixing a problem before it was one.
Per the pictures link below, (pictues woud not fit in post), in brief, what I did was clamp a length of wire rope fishing leader to the existing pull cable and then run the release cable thru up the carpeted cover.
I used a #0 lead fishing weight as the clamp as I could not find anything more suitable. The lead weight is not the best, as the lead is very soft and really does not hold that well, but again, one is not yanking on the release daily. My first attempt was with a smaller #00 weight, but that worked even less well. The picture shows my first attempt with the #00 weight by the way.
As far as tools, one needs a Torx T15 screwdriver and an 8 mm socket, some pliers to squeeze the weight; also side cutters to cut the 0.032” wire rope fishing leader and a 13mm wrench to remove the ball sockets that anchor the retractable cables to the ends of the lower door.
When you remove the carpeted cover, (it just sort of lift/pulls off – held on by round plastic clips – start at the bottom, (the hinge end) as that seems to work the best). You will first have to remove the “balls” , (13 mm wrench), that retain the retractable cables that carry the lift gate so have a winter coat or the like to support / place between the bumper and the painted surface of the Liftgate.
Once the carpet cover is removed, you will have to cut what I call a dust cover – sort of thick plastic sticky poly). It turns out that a multi-conductor power cable that runs the latch setup is stuck to the underside of the poly – hence when you cut the plastic, if you are not careful, you will also cut a few of the about 6 conductors just under the plastic.
With the poly cut, you will see a gold box thing – the actuator is within. The box is held to the door by two 8mm cap screws in a slot – you just loosen the cap screws and sort of work the box back towards the speaker and then out. Then you undo the two T15 Torx screws and remove the gold metal cover and inside is the release mechanism.
Re the release cable, I drilled a very small hole in the carpet and pushed the 0.032" diameter release wire thru and then slipped the loose end under the black plastic. To release with the liftgate etc closed, from the inside, just pull the loose end free from under the black plastic and gently pull about ¼ inch (5mm), and the upper door catch should release. The assumption is that the lower door electric latch is still working and that then the lower door can also be opened.
http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4155
