2013 Lift Gate question

[Gamerchris360]

My lift gate powers open like a champ. When I hit the button to close it give one single tone and waves a bit (moves about an inch. It is not the triple tone of "something's in the way"

What troubleshooting steps do I follow to find out what components might be faulty? I did pull the 30 amp fuse for it (while lift gate was closed/latched) and waited at least a minute, put the 30 amp back in an retried. No joy.

Did I properly reset my module?

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Chris.
A single tone when closing indicates an issue.
As per your Manual;
A chime will sound three times as the liftgate begins to power close.
A single chime indicates a problem with the close request......

To reset the power liftgate:
1. Disconnect the battery for 20 seconds then, reconnect the battery.
2. Manually close and fully latch the liftgate.
3. Power open the liftgate by using the transmitter or the instrument
panel control button.

Peter

 

[Gamerchris360]

Did this, still single tone and no closing for me. Can Forscan show me some codes to help diagnose what the computer sees as the "problem"? I hate to start willy nilly replacing components looking for the failure.

 

[peterk9]

I can't help you with the FORScan question but there are many members here that are familiar with it. I understand that throwing parts at a problem isn't the answer as it can get expensive. Have you tried setting the opening height to less than fully open (3/4) and then seeing if it will close?
Have you tried closing it manually to see if you feel any kind of binding?

Peter

 

[Gamerchris360]

I can't help you with the FORScan question but there are many members here that are familiar with it. I understand that throwing parts at a problem isn't the answer as it can get expensive. Have you tried setting the opening height to less than fully open (3/4) and then seeing if it will close?
Have you tried closing it manually to see if you feel any kind of binding?

Peter

Manual close feels as normal as I think it gets. You can feel slight resistance due to the motors.

Have not tired a lower open height. That's a decent idea.

 

[Odrapnew]

I don't have anything additional to add except I was going say the same thing as Peter about trying at a less than fully open setting.
I can't remember, does the power liftgate still have the gas struts? If so, maybe one is binding a little bit at the very end of it's travel. Just a thought.

 

[Gamerchris360]

Tried setting it to face level, no close, single tone. I manually closed it and it struggled to open to that height. I set it to the level of my armpits and tried again, no close, single tone and it would fail to open to that height when I manually closed. (multiple tones and swung back shut).

To get it back to the way it was I hit the button and shoved it open to full height (which the car fought me on hard), set the height, manually closed and it now opens like it did before, still have to manually close.

The one that I hear motor noises from and seem "tougher" to move is the strut on the driver's side, but I think that might be the only powered one as that's got the wires running to it and the other one does not.

 

[peterk9]

It could the liftgate motor that is failing. I think perhaps it may be easier to push the liftgate open than it is to pull it closed. BTW, not all model years have the powered struct on the same side. This diagram shows it (#9) on the passenger side. It's possible they use the same diagram for all model years. Liftgate for 2013 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake
Another site; 2011-2015 Ford Tailgate Pull Down Motor BB5Z-14B351-A | OEM Parts

Peter

 

[peterk9]

On the topic of rear liftgate. Is there a lock button at the back of the truck in the trunk to lock the Explorer 2018?

Just as there is in Explorer 2005 where you could lock the Truck from the trunk.

(My liftgate is manual close)

Thanks in advance!

No there is no button on the liftgate to lock it or all doors from the inside or outside.
There is a panel on the inside of the liftgate that can be removed to unlock the 'gate' on the powered ones but I don't know if that will lock it as well. In any case, I don't believe that is what you are looking for.

Peter

 

[mguy13sport]

Motor or strut bind up would be my guess. How is the alignment? Sometimes the hinge welds on the roof crack. They obviously have more pressure in open position. Any resistance will stop the motor

 

[Gamerchris360]

Motor or strut bind up would be my guess. How is the alignment? Sometimes the hinge welds on the roof crack. They obviously have more pressure in open position. Any resistance will stop the motor

There's cracks ip there all right. The alignment seems good. It's going to the dealer tho, warranty this and my door kepad as well as recall work to do.