Liftgate ajar alert

[Lulululu]

I have a 2016 ford explorer and one day driving from work all the interior lights and liftgate ajar message came on. The liftgate dont unlock with remote or door button, I had to press the emergency releases button to open it. I was told the issue could be latch assembly (BB5z-783150-c),so I order the part and replace it but same problem. I'm no expert but it feels like it's not getting power, rear windshield wiper, rear camera, lights and sensor are working find. Any suggestions of what it might be and troubleshoot ideas. Thanks in advance

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
Your thread was merged with this one.
I think you meant BB5Z-7843150-C.
What do you mean by "emergency release button"? There are 3 ways to open the 'gate' not counting the foot activation feature.
You have the remote, the button on the dash and the button on the 'gate' itself.

Peter

 

[Lulululu]

Hello, I can only open it by using the emergency liftgate latch release.

 

[peterk9]

Hello, I can only open it by using the emergency liftgate latch release.

There is no emergency liftgate release that I'm aware of and there is nothing in the Owner's Manual on it either. Where is it located?

Peter

 

[Lulululu]

Sorry I dont know the actual word for it, incase someone is trapped in the car. There is an emergency release latch to open it, that's the only way to open the trunk door.

 

[peterk9]

There is a small plastic piece on the inside of the liftgate that looks like it may be removable. It has a picture of a 'person' sitting in the back of the Explorer cargo area with the liftgate open. Is there an "emergency latch" behind that? Other than that, I don't see any inside latch on mine.

Peter

 

[Lulululu]

Yes that's it.

 

[Lulululu]

 

[Lulululu]

That is the part I replaced on the car but I'm still getting the liftgate ajar message, and I still can open my trunk

 

[peterk9]

Once you have unlocked it with the emergency release, will it then power open if you hit the keyfob button or the button on the dash? If not, you may have an electrical problem.

Peter

 

[brentkp]

I have been having the same issue with my Explorer for a number of years now....
At first, the issue was intermittent but it has continued to get worse over time. When the issue first started it was still under the manufacturer warranty and I took it to the dealership to have it addressed. The first time they couldn't get the issue to occur, the second they adjusted the striker plate, and eventually they replaced the latch assembly. No matter what the issue would eventually reoccur.

The Explorer is now out of warranty and the issue is near-constant. Over the last few weeks I've taken additional troubleshooting steps and have yet to have much success. I'll describe what I've done below in hopes that someone else can recommend some next steps. I'll also provide some symptoms I've noticed.

Troubleshooting

• Purchased ODB2 adapter to look for error codes and monitor signals. Did not find any error codes and the signal seemed to indicate an issue with the detent or fork switches that are part of the latch assembly.
• Purchased new latch assembly and installed it. No difference.
• Purchased used liftgate control module and installed it. Required a module reset from forscan to function. Seemed to fix issue for a few hours, but problem returned. Unfortunately I can't get liftgate to operate at all now. I'm having to operate it by using the manual lever on the latch assembly.

Symptoms

• When the issue is intermittent there seems to be a relation to other electrical signals in the vehicle. For example:
  • When the liftgate ajar signal is on I can attempt to turn on the rear wiper and the liftgate ajar signal will come on immediately and prevent the rear wiper from working.
  • On a typical day, I will get in the car to leave for work and the ajar signal will be active at some point in the drive it will turn off. When I get in the car to leave work and come home and the signal is not on, but when I pull in the garage at home the headlights turn on and the liftgate ajar signal turns on at the same time

Theories/Next Steps

• I'm beginning to wonder if there might be a short in another device/sensor that is connected to the liftgate control module. Does anyone have a schematic for what is connected to this module? If there is a short I could see how voltage swings (lights turning on, wiper motor starting) would trigger it disrupt the liftgate sensors.

Any help/suggestions on how to solve this issue is greatly appreciated.

Brent

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Brent.

FYI, my rear wiper will operate with the liftgate open. Not sure if that is of any help. Here is a link that has been posted several times. TSB and Wiring Diagrams Database - BBB Industries- Premium Alternators, Starters, Power Steering Products and Turbochargers

Peter

 

[Buffalojeff82]

Good morning everyone, I have been doing a lot of searching on these forums as well as on other sites but I can’t nail down my fix. I have a 2011 Explorer with limited trim and the “liftgate ajar” warning light keeps coming on intermittently. The liftgate opens and closes as it should however after closing I can hear the latch mechanism lock itself then about 10 seconds later un-latch partially which cause the warning light on my instrument panel. When this light is on I cannot use my rear wiper, the washer fluid nor can I open the liftgate using the button on my key fob or the button near the steering wheel. However I can still open and close it if I get out and use the button under the handlers the liftgate. I originally thought it was the motor going bad but it opens and closes as it should. Now my thoughts are taking me to either the sensor that controls the latch mechanism or the entire latch mechanism itself (not sure if the sensor and the latch are an assy). This problem is quite annoying because while that light is on I can’t lock my car because the interior lights stay on and the darn alarm will start going off after awhile. Can anyone confirm a part to fix for this issue? I’ve seen other threads that site a similar problem but no one has confirmed fixes for it. I dont want to take it to the dealer because it’s 130$ to diagnose, then parts and labor and I’ll be darned if a liftgate latch is gonna cost me 500$. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Jeff.
Your thread was merged with this existing one found using the Forum's handy 'Search' feature.
Unfortunately, although a few have had the same issue, no one has reported any fix for it.
The latch is shown as being $205 here; Lift Gate for 2011 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake


Peter

 

[Buffalojeff82]

Welcome to the Forum Jeff.
Your thread was merged with this existing one found using the Forum's handy 'Search' feature.
Unfortunately, although a few have had the same issue, no one has reported any fix for it.
The latch is shown as being $205 here; Lift Gate
for 2011 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake


Peter

thanks! I was thinking about replacing the latch but as I sift through all the comments and info surfing this issue some say the latch didn’t work. I wish Ford would just make this a recall.

 

[Buffalojeff82]

Welcome to the Forum Jeff.
Your thread was merged with this existing one found using the Forum's handy 'Search' feature.
Unfortunately, although a few have had the same issue, no one has reported any fix for it.
The latch is shown as being $205 here; Lift Gate for 2011 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake


Peter

So some online searching has brought me to the LTM which is a control module that operates the liftgate. I pulled apart the back panels and noticed that the part in question has the word “refurbished” written on it so this tells me that this has been a previous problem. The part is coming in the mail this week and I’m going to attempt to replace the part. Any tips on replacing this? I don’t see where it’s screwed in anywhere. Also, do I have to take this to the dealer to have it programmed or is it just remove and replace? Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

[peterk9]

I don't know if anyone has replaced this module themselves. I would suspect that on the 2011 it is just a remove and replace item.

Peter

 

[Buffalojeff82]

Just wanted to update everyone on the liftgate ajar alert fix. I was able to fix it! Yesterday I went and traded that piece of **** in on a different car! Problem solved! Lol

In all seriousness, I know how annoying this is for people with this problem. I changed out the Module on the drivers side rear pannel called the LTM (Liftgate Trunk Module) and fixed some wires that lead to the module that looked like they came from the piece that the liftgate latch latches onto and viola! Liftgate works as it should. Now since my problem was intermittent I’m assuming my problem were those wires that I fixed but the Liftgate Trunk Module was only 60$ on eBay so it wasn’t too bad. The hardest part was getting that damn pannel off. If anyone needs any more help from me I will gladly do so.

 

[Felipe302]

I have a 2017 Ford Explorer Sport I am having a Liftgate Ajar message as well and my power Liftgate setting is grayed out as well..

I checked the fuse and it good. I ended up replacing the Latch actuator and the liftgate control module after seeing other forums indicating that might be the issue (LOL) and I went as far as disconnecting the battery for 20 seconds after the install and my Liftgate still won’t function. Any thoughts on what might be triggering this? Thanks!!!

 

[Dontmindhim]

I have a 2017 Ford Explorer Sport I am having a Liftgate Ajar message as well and my power Liftgate setting is grayed out as well..

I checked the fuse and it good. I ended up replacing the Latch actuator and the liftgate control module after seeing other forums indicating that might be the issue (LOL) and I went as far as disconnecting the battery for 20 seconds after the install and my Liftgate still won’t function. Any thoughts on what might be triggering this? Thanks!!!

Did you check the fuse under the dash on the drivers side? There is a 3 prong fuse that was blown on mine.

Dealership told me the motorized lift strut was bad and wanted to replace that and the other strut. For $750. I decided to got to a pick a part to get them for $30. Didn’t fix the problem so I’m assuming I have a short somewhere. I ended up putting a standard lift strut on both sides and removing the powered opening. Replaced the fuse under the dash (I believe it was fuse 10-11) and I was good to go, you just have to lift the gate by hand now.