Micro switch only

Symptoms 

Tailgate opens successfully with the remote control but not when using the manual button on the tailgate. 

Why does this happen?

This was a design floor for the Mini Cooper. Water runs down the boot of the car and flows into the handle. Over a period of many years the water and the solder corrode and eventually a break in the connection occurs. In some cases the switch comes away from the board altogether. 

FIX

By replacing the corroded or broken switch (see pictures 3 and 4) 

Process

1) Remove Mini one Boot tailgate (4 T20 bolts) See Picture 2

2) Remove the Tailgate cover trim from the handle see video here: (Trim Removal)

3) Remove the old switch from the circuit board using a soldering Iron and replace with the new switch.(Straight forward swap) See below picture: