Fitting a Tailgate Remote Release Mechanism:

A little background:
Ford fitted the remote release feature in pre 86/87 "High Series" Fiesta's.
No-one knows why they stopped fitting this in the later cars. One theory is that they were going to fit electric windows and use the centre console to house the switches. Doing this would leave no-where for the release switch to go.
The electric window theory is very likely because Ford have two blanking panels fitted in ideal locations in the centre console - one switch each for driver and passenger.
Other theories are cost and reliability problems, although there are no reliability problems that I've head of.
Cost shouldn't be a factor because they have a wiring loom going to the back of the car anyway and the switches were in production and not costly to make... Anyway, such is the mystery of Ford.

Step 1: Finding the bits.
You'll need to find the following bits for this project.

• A Genuine Ford tailgate release switch.
• A Genuine Ford Solenoid Operated Rear Latch/lock.
• A four pin relay
• Some good electrical wire, preferrable different coloured bits .
• A self tapping screw (if there's no earth point already available to piggy-back on to)

Where:  The tailgate release mechanism was only fitted to early Fiesta's, (pre D plate). You're most likely to find it in an early C Plate XR2 or Ghia. The switch is located in the centre console just behind the gear gater and infront of the handbrake. Prise it out with a flat blade and try and retain as much of the wiring as possible. The solenoid lock is fitted to these same Fiestas and can be accessed by opening the tailgate...
Rip off the cardboard blanking panel from the back of the tailgate door.
Under this panel you'll see a lock barrel attached to a thin metal rod which in turn attaches to the locking mechanism.
Disconnect this rod. Now you need to remove the two latch retaining screws from the bottom of the tailgate door. Clearly visible each side of the latch mechanism. (There may be a third a little further up the inside).

Step 2: Fitting:
You need to remove and replace your exisitng rear latch mechanism with the solenoid number. Follow above instructions.
Remove a blanking panel from the centre console.
You'll need to attach the brown wire from the boot latch to EARTH or Ground (GND). Do this by using the self tapping screw to attach the wire to a nearby (recently punched :-) ) whole in your bodywork.
You will need to run cabling from the centre console to the boot. Not an easy task. The easiest way is probably to go forwards to the dash and then follow your speaker cables to the boot.
There are cable holes and rubber sleeves at the top inside corners of the tailgate shut. If you drop a piece of string down one and then attach it to your tailgate actuator wires you can use this to pull them up and through the hole.
Now poke the wires through a corresponding hole in the tailgate (via the rubber jonny!) and let gravity take 'em down to the bottom where the latch is.
Now wire-up the switch to the solenoid latch and the car's supply as shown below, you can then clip it into the hole in the center console.

Step 3: Try it out.
Be careful with this new switch. The method of wiring described above allows you to open the boot whilst the engine is running. Don't lean on the switch or fiddle with it whilst driving! The original Ford wiring prevents this, but it's nice to be able to open it without switching off your engine, like when dropping off mates or picking them and the 'goods' up after a heist !

Step 4: There isn't really a step 4..
This has nothing to do with tailgates, switches or even any of this... but...
Go and 'smoke' a few Vauxwank Nova's. It always makes you feel better and should help you relax and unwind after spending an afternoon pricking your fingers with stupid wires!