Liftgate Glass Ajar

[BadThad]

About once a day my rear glass randomly opens. It somewhat seems to happen after hard cornering or going over rough surfaces. THIS IS HIGHLY ANNOYING! .....especially in winter!

I can't be the only person with this issue....so, is there a definative cause?

Thanks

 

[Henders]

Check to see if the Rear Window Defroster cables aren't getting caught up between the glass and the rubber seal. This might cause the glass not to close completely or even damage the wires. My Ex is a 2006 Limited, and other than the wire pinching, the only other reason I had the liftgate glass open was the keyfob would get the button pushed when putting the keys in my pocket (Annoying when it raining and you come out of the store and the rear glass is open).

 

[BadThad]

Thanks, I'll recheck that but I couldn't see anything last time. I tossed around the idea of the accidental key fob button press, but it still opens when I have the fob somewhere where it's impossible to press the release button. Also, on many days, I've opened the hatch before driving, checked everything out, shut it so I know it was secure.....yet it opened after driving. It also seems if I corner hard to the right it comes open which makes me think it's the latch.

I suspect either the manual switch outside on the hatch is mal###tioning or the latch itself is just bad.

 

[BadThad]

Hard to believe nobody else has had this issue. BUMP!

 

[White97Jimmy]

I've noticed over the years that the liftgate glass button is super sensitive. I might switch to the remote without the glass button on it.

 

[BadThad]

I've noticed over the years that the liftgate glass button is super sensitive. I might switch to the remote without the glass button on it.

Would it open the glass if it's just laying in the console (nothing touching it) while you drive?

 

[White97Jimmy]

I don't know. Mine is on my keyring so if its in my truck, it's in the ignition.

 

[Ornery]

Why do you suspect the key fob, and not the switch itself? I'd be looking for a replacement switch or pulling that one apart to see if the contacts are bouncing together when jarred.

 

[BadThad]

Why do you suspect the key fob, and not the switch itself? I'd be looking for a replacement switch or pulling that one apart to see if the contacts are bouncing together when jarred.

I don't think that's my problem. My fob requires a firm press on the button to open the glass. I played around with it last night after Jimmy posted.

As it stands, it's about 20° here and about 30° in my garage. I'm not taking this puppy apart until it warms up some. I was hoping somebody here had the same problem, it was a known "issue" and I could save some diagnostic time.

 

[BadThad]

Just talked to my local dealer parts guy. He said this is a common problem and the part is a single unit which includes the external button. They replace the whole assembly. He quoted me $121 for it.

Does anyone know I place where I can look up the part number? He wouldn't give it to me over the phone. Obviously, I can probably find it cheaper on the web and if anyone has suggestions where I can buy it, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Ornery]

Looks Like Switch Alone is Available

BTW, I pulled apart the windshield wiper assembly in my son's '95 Grand Marquis, swapped the battery from our 2004 G.Marquis into it, swapped the battery out of my '94 Town Car into the '04 GM, and installed a new battery in the '94 TC. All outside while it was snowing, and it never got above 20°F. At least the wind wasn't kicking up!

 

[BadThad]

SOLVED!

When you open the glass you can clearly see the release switch. There's a spring in plane view. That spring gets rusty from water exposure. I sprayed it with lubricant, let it soak, activated the switch on/off a few times and then resprayed it. It's been a few months now and the glass has not opened on it's own! YAY!

I hope this helps someone else.

 

[Ornery]

Have Some Doubts

Thanks for the update. Got my attention. So much so, that I was out in the rain, standing in a puddle, examining this spring. Looked to be in fine condition, but I applied some 30 weight oil anyway.

I have to say, it looks like the only function of that spring, is to hold the catch in the open position until it's latched again by closing the glass. It's not holding the latch closed.

It's possible your nylon latch was damaged, or misaligned, by slamming the retaining "bar" into the latch while it was in the closed position due to the rusty spring. Perhaps the latch wasn't fully capturing that "bar", or not fully locked in when it did. Just guessing...

 

[Bobmbx]

SOLVED!

When you open the glass you can clearly see the release switch. There's a spring in plane view. That spring gets rusty from water exposure. I sprayed it with lubricant, let it soak, activated the switch on/off a few times and then resprayed it. It's been a few months now and the glass has not opened on it's own! YAY!

I hope this helps someone else.

Sounds like you saved $121!

 

[BadThad]

Sounds like you saved $121!

Good old PB Blaster.....great stuff!

 

[BadThad]

Thanks for the update. Got my attention. So much so, that I was out in the rain, standing in a puddle, examining this spring. Looked to be in fine condition, but I applied some 30 weight oil anyway.

I have to say, it looks like the only function of that spring, is to hold the catch in the open position until it's latched again by closing the glass. It's not holding the latch closed.

It's possible your nylon latch was damaged, or misaligned, by slamming the retaining "bar" into the latch while it was in the closed position due to the rusty spring. Perhaps the latch wasn't fully capturing that "bar", or not fully locked in when it did. Just guessing...

To me it looked like the spring was simply rusty. I mean that sucker is covered in rust! It's just not springing back into place fully after the glass is shut. Simple problem, simple fix.....for once. LMAO