Just bought my first RRS TDV8 HST 2008 .Very impressed so far recent work done before I picked it up new discs and pads all round full service all filters then 5 months ago front wheel bearing both lower arms and compressor .Drives spot on only fault is the top tailgate don't open press the handle no noise its dead any ideas ? bottom button is fine so am using it this way .

bottom part needs to be fully closed for the glass to open.

2 common faults from memory.

The switch. (you can get a replacement for about £4 off ebay for a ford and change connector)

or Wiring break at the top? of the tailgate (remove spoiler)

Thanks will have a look .

Most likely the switch. Easy DIY repair.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Do they just clip out the old one ?.Been told that you can clean them or is it just replace seen one on Ebay £20 Genuine brand new thanks .

best to replace.

but no harm in having a look to see what the issue is

£20 of a famous web site dead simple pops out don't matter which way around wires go did mine last week

Most likely the switch, but sort it sooner rather than later. When my dad bought the one I have now, the top glass wouldn't open. Supposedly it had been in to be checked and a switch was on order. Meanwhile the compressor went and I was told to take it to a specialist. While there I mentioned the glass not opening, and the guy said that he had checked the switch, and told the dealer it wasn't the issue. He had been told to leave it alone, at that point I went to open the boot ant the whole boot failed. I had quite a few choice words with the dealer at that point, as he didn't want to pay for the boot to be fixed, and he wanted to fit a 2nd hand compressor. In the end he had the lot done and a new upgraded compressor.
Point being it made the whole tailgate job a lot harder with the lot not working, the wires had broken in the top under the spoiler.

Thanks guys I will order one

New switch came yesterday fitted all working perfect £20 Ebay . The old one was full of white powder rotten and had fell apart inside .

Glad you got sorted matey

New problem

The remote locking seems to work when it wants to lucky enough its under warranty from the garage .Spare key does nothing at all .Auto locks came out yesterday replaced the battery in the spare key that's goosed needs a new one key .The horn sounds once when you press to lock he says its telling you one of the doors is open when they are all closed that's one fault but it never did what its been doing not working at all the key its transmitting all the time he checked that so rules the key out .After about a hour he come to me and said either a wiring fault or control module needs to go in to the dealers to be code read take it from there will need a new spare key as well .Just waiting on the garage who I bought it from to call me today with a update on what they plan on doing any one else had these issues ? thanks

The horn sounding on pressing lock is usually an indication that the bonnet catch switch is seized; search the site and you will find many references to cleaning it up. Alternatively the switch can be bridged with a paper clip.

I suspect a lot of dealers source a second key to supply with the vehicle but don't bother to have it coded to the car hence it doesn't work. I had same experience as you - having the key coded to the car was the solution. A good Indy will do it in a few minutes for £30. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

The horn will also beep on locking if the tailgate isn't fully closed so check that is closing fully too. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

with the ignition on, and doors closed, is the small LCD display below the fuel gauge telling you a door is open?

or displaying I> at the side ? (press indicator stalk)

It should lock the doors anyway, even if one is ajar