Lift gate opening and closing on its own

[Exploreryyc]

2020 ford explorer xlt

I was out of town for work and my fiancé told me the lift gate was opening and closing on its own. When I got home my vehicle was dead so after boosting it the problem continued. I drove it around for awhile and kept getting system reboot messages so I tried to shut it off and restart and wouldn’t restart. Someone said I may need a new battery, sometimes accessories can act up on low voltage. Well, I bought a new battery, everything seemed better. Until I’m just sitting here and I hear my lift gate opening and closing again on its own. I’m very concerned, has anyone had this happening? Most threads talk about the sensor under the rear but mine doesn’t even have that feature.

 

[Dale5403]

It could be a faulty liftgate module.

 

[Exploreryyc]

It could be a faulty liftgate module.

I will look into that. Thank you. For now I went into settings and turned off power tailgate. Next step will be the fuse I suppose.

 

[Dale5403]

I will look into that. Thank you. For now I went into settings and turned off power tailgate. Next step will be the fuse I suppose.

I just seen a video for older Fords that if you pull the fuse for the liftgate module and leave it out for a minute that it will reset the module. They said that may solve some issues. Easy to try.

 

[peterk9]

I will look into that. Thank you. For now I went into settings and turned off power tailgate. Next step will be the fuse I suppose.

Welcome to the Forum.
Congratulations. This is a first. Since the liftgate is working, it wouldn't be a fuse issue. I tend to agree that is more likely it could be the control module.
This shows the part.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/e...ntrol-module-control-unit-p-jx7z14b291e?pdp=y
If buying the part, check out this site;

Original 2020-2024 Ford Control Module JX7Z-14B291-E | Levittown Ford Parts

2020-2024 Ford part # JX7Z-14B291-E - Control Module

parts.levittownfordparts.com

Levittown is a forum vendor and offers a discount to members.

Peter

 

[MikeHTally]

Mine does this when I'm connecting the trailer. It senses movement under the bumper. Pulling the fuse will stop the shenanigans. Is it possible a critter is nosing around? Do you leave the key in it? If it's doing this with no key around, it 'bout must be the module.

 

[themishmosh]

You can reset the liftgate module using Forscan or Forscan Lite. I know my MY2020 has had firmware updated also. Abnormal liftgate occurances for me are now few and far between.

 

[peterk9]

Mine does this when I'm connecting the trailer. It senses movement under the bumper. Pulling the fuse will stop the shenanigans. Is it possible a critter is nosing around? Do you leave the key in it? If it's doing this with no key around, it 'bout must be the module.

No need to pull the fuse, Mike. He already disabled the power liftgate in the settings.

Peter

 

[Edward Williams]

2020 ford explorer xlt

I was out of town for work and my fiancé told me the lift gate was opening and closing on its own. When I got home my vehicle was dead so after boosting it the problem continued. I drove it around for awhile and kept getting system reboot messages so I tried to shut it off and restart and wouldn’t restart. Someone said I may need a new battery, sometimes accessories can act up on low voltage. Well, I bought a new battery, everything seemed better. Until I’m just sitting here and I hear my lift gate opening and closing again on its own. I’m very concerned, has anyone had this happening? Most threads talk about the sensor under the rear but mine doesn’t even have that feature.

I have this same problem on a 2018 Ford Explorer. The reason both your battery and mine are going low is because this tailgate is going up and down when we are not around. Maybe we should consider a "Pope Exorcist." If Ford doesn't know then there will be a recall one day after some unfortunately lose their life because of this defect.

 

[peterk9]

I have this same problem on a 2018 Ford Explorer. The reason both your battery and mine are going low is because this tailgate is going up and down when we are not around. Maybe we should consider a "Pope Exorcist." If Ford doesn't know then there will be a recall one day after some unfortunately lose their life because of this defect.

Welcome to the Forum Edward.
Although this is only the 2nd such report, it isn't a common issue. I also fail to see how someone could "lose their life" due to this. From what I understand, it only happens while parked. No one has mentioned this occurring while driving. Until a fix is found, and I doubt Ford is working on one, you could always disable the power liftgate in the settings. In any case, thank you for reporting this. Have you reported it to your dealer and/or Ford?

Peter

 

[peterk9]

I will look into that. Thank you. For now I went into settings and turned off power tailgate. Next step will be the fuse I suppose.

Do you have an update on the issue? Thanks.

Peter

 

[undmicj]

Welcome to the Forum.
Congratulations. This is a first. Since the liftgate is working, it wouldn't be a fuse issue. I tend to agree that is more likely it could be the control module.
This shows the part.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/e...ntrol-module-control-unit-p-jx7z14b291e?pdp=y
If buying the part, check out this site;

Original 2020-2024 Ford Control Module JX7Z-14B291-E | Levittown Ford Parts

2020-2024 Ford part # JX7Z-14B291-E - Control Module

parts.levittownfordparts.com

Levittown is a forum vendor and offers a discount to members.

Peter

Do you know where this module is located? Anyone have a diagram? I'm having the same issue, no hands-free liftgate, but the thing is so crazy I sometimes can't fuel up, get in the car, and get it in gear before it goes up and down all by itself.

 

[Dale5403]

Do you know where this module is located? Anyone have a diagram? I'm having the same issue, no hands-free liftgate, but the thing is so crazy I sometimes can't fuel up, get in the car, and get it in gear before it goes up and down all by itself.

This should help.

 

[Pedro504]

The hands-free liftgate on my vehicle was repaired at the local dealership under warranty. They found broken/frayed wires at the actuation module. My vehicle is equipped with the lower rear splash cover so it's not clear how the wires became broken. Unfortunately it closed by itself on my wife while she was loading groceries and she ended up with a very bad bruise to the cheek.

 

[peterk9]

The hands-free liftgate on my vehicle was repaired at the local dealership under warranty. They found broken/frayed wires at the actuation module. My vehicle is equipped with the lower rear splash cover so it's not clear how the wires became broken. Unfortunately it closed by itself on my wife while she was loading groceries and she ended up with a very bad bruise to the cheek.

Member undmicj stated he doesn't have the hands-free liftgate.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

Do you know where this module is located? Anyone have a diagram? I'm having the same issue, no hands-free liftgate, but the thing is so crazy I sometimes can't fuel up, get in the car, and get it in gear before it goes up and down all by itself.

Welcome to the Forum.
If you don't have the hands-free liftgate then the issue may be elsewhere since you may not have that particular module. Have you taken it to the dealer yet?

Peter

 

[Dale5403]

I think this module is used on all 6th GEN Explorers regardless of trim level or options.

 

[undmicj]

Welcome to the Forum.
If you don't have the hands-free liftgate then the issue may be elsewhere since you may not have that particular module. Have you taken it to the dealer yet?

Peter

I did take it to the dealer and won't be going back. I scheduled an appointment weeks prior for a first thing Monday morning visit. Called at noon to get progress updates and when I could have my vehicle back and was informed the tech that does electrical diagnosis doesn't work on Mondays. Went and grabbed my vehicle and got the whole de-escalation robot routine that's trained into service managers. Was not happy.

 

[peterk9]

I did take it to the dealer and won't be going back. I scheduled an appointment weeks prior for a first thing Monday morning visit. Called at noon to get progress updates and when I could have my vehicle back and was informed the tech that does electrical diagnosis doesn't work on Mondays. Went and grabbed my vehicle and got the whole de-escalation robot routine that's trained into service managers. Was not happy.

Could you not have left it another day to possibly have it fixed instead of having a continuing issue that the members may or may not be able to solve? The service advisor booking the appointment probably would not have known it may have required that particular technician.

Peter

 

[undmicj]

Could you not have left it another day to possibly have it fixed instead of having a continuing issue that the members may or may not be able to solve? The service advisor booking the appointment probably would not have known it may have required that particular technician.

Peter

I mean I guess it's pretty hard for some people to understand when you ask for an electrical diagnosis to be ran that you might want to book service for the day that that technician makes his rounds. And why would I leave the vehicle with them and give them any business when they're too incompetent to be respectful of the customer's time and schedule appropriately?