Power Liftgate Warning Chime

[kabiblueline]

Please tell me you Explorer does not work like this. With my 2011 Limited the liftgate operates like this:

When the liftgate is closed
1) Press the button to open
2) Liftgate opens
3) Warning chime sounds

When the liftgate is open
1) Press the button
2) Warning chime sounds
3) Liftgate closes

I swear the liftgate "warning chime" used to happen first - before opening. That seems like the way it ought to work. I mentioned this to the dealer today when I dropped it off (for some other work). They called back later and claim they called the "Ford Service hotline" and mine works the way it is supposed to.

Really? The chime is supposed to sound after the liftgate opens? For what? To announce to everyone that the opening process is complete? Come on....

 

[peterk9]

Please tell me you Explorer does not work like this. With my 2011 Limited the liftgate operates like this:

When the liftgate is closed
1) Press the button to open
2) Liftgate opens
3) Warning chime sounds

When the liftgate is open
1) Press the button
2) Warning chime sounds
3) Liftgate closes

I swear the liftgate "warning chime" used to happen first - before opening. That seems like the way it ought to work. I mentioned this to the dealer today when I dropped it off (for some other work). They called back later and claim they called the "Ford Service hotline" and mine works the way it is supposed to.

Really? The chime is supposed to sound after the liftgate opens? For what? To announce to everyone that the opening process is complete? Come on....

Mine works like yours with the exception that I do not get a chime when the gate opens. Only just before it begins to close. I did it both using the button on the dash and the ones on the lift gate itself.

Peter

 

[FordService]

...I mentioned this to the dealer today when I dropped it off (for some other work). They called back later and claim they called the "Ford Service hotline" and mine works the way it is supposed to...

Hi kabiblueline,

You can make an appointment at a different Ford dealership to get a second opinion. I can also look into your case to see how I can assist; send me your info via PM (VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name) and I'll get to work.

Crystal

 

[peterk9]

Liftgate Chimes

We have 2 different scenarios here.
One has the chimes sounding both on opening and closing of the liftgate and the other (me) has the chimes only upon closing the liftgate.
Which one is working correctly?:scratch:

NOTE: I have a height adjustment set on mine.

Peter

 

[kabiblueline]

Thanks for checking yours, Peter. I don't have a height adjustment set on mine and never have.

Crystal-
Thanks for the offer. I'm not sure giving you my specific info would help much. Is it possible to just confirm how it is supposed to work?

Is it supposed to sound the chime before starting to open?

My wife and I are both convinced that is how it used to work. Seems like it stopped after one of the MFT updates - not sure how that might be related...

 

[TwinExes]

Both of ours only chime when closing. We also have height adjustments. Hope this helps.

 

[peterk9]

Both of ours only chime when closing. We also have height adjustments. Hope this helps.

Thanks TwinExes.
It seems that the height adjustment doesn't have any effect on the chimes. I reset my normal opening height and again only had the chimes when the gate is closing. Tried it several times. I then set the height adjustment again and still only get chimes upon closing the liftgate, not on opening it.

Peter

 

[Bryceb]

Mine only does it when closing, but I could have swarn it sometimes chimes when it gets towards the top when opening, but not the entire opening cycle.

 

[phareous]

Maybe it chimes when opening if it senses an obstacle? You could experiment and see

EDIT: Or if it doesn't open all the way and aborts

 

[FordService]

Thanks for checking yours, Peter. I don't have a height adjustment set on mine and never have.

Crystal-
Thanks for the offer. I'm not sure giving you my specific info would help much. Is it possible to just confirm how it is supposed to work...

Hi kabiblueline,

I checked out the fourth printing of your Owner's Manual for information about the liftgate chimes:

"When the liftgate is being power closed, a chime will sound three times
as the liftgate begins to power close. A single chime indicates a problem
with the close request, caused by:
• the ignition is on and the transmission is not in P (Park);
• or the battery voltage is below the minimum operating voltage;
• or the vehicle speed is at or above 3 mph (5 km/h).

If the liftgate reverses and starts to close after an open request, a fast
continuous chime indicates excessive load on the gate or a possible strut
failure. If any excessive load is removed and you still have a faster
chime, have the system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer."

This information begins on page 122 if you want to check it out. You can download a free copy of your Owner's Manual here: https://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/OwnerGuidePageVehicleLookup&BackToLogin=Owner/Page/OwnerGuidePage&ord=8147673

Crystal

 

[Jon M]

Since there's nothing like resurrecting the dead thread...

I've been getting this chime on open, when it reaches the top, recently. It's a different chime than the one before it starts lowering, and I'm wondering if it's some sort of error message, since I've been having issues with the liftgate. Anyone run into this?

 

[peterk9]

Since there's nothing like resurrecting the dead thread...

I've been getting this chime on open, when it reaches the top, recently. It's a different chime than the one before it starts lowering, and I'm wondering if it's some sort of error message, since I've been having issues with the liftgate. Anyone run into this?

There's no such thing as a "dead thread". Only hibernating ones waiting to be nudged awake. That's the way the Forum is designed to work.
Jon, does the liftgate remain in the open position until you close it? Are the sounds you are hearing when the liftgate reaches the top a rapid chime compared to normal ones that you get just before the 'gate' begins to close? If you are, see post #10 above. There is a 'Liftgate Reset Procedure' in the Manual. Have you tried that?

Peter

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

I do not recall that mine makes any chimes when opening, only closing

 

[peterk9]

I do not recall that mine makes any chimes when opening, only closing

I'm not sure if that is what he meant? At first that was my guess but then after reading it a few times I think Jon meant that when the 'gate' reaches the top after opening.

Peter

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

mine certainly doesn't do that

 

[kmarnes]

I believe mine chimes when opening if I do it from the driver seat. If I do it from the back, I don't think it chimes. Maybe it chimes if I use the foot swipe. Haven't paid attention -- but it could be contextual chiming.

 

[peterk9]

I believe mine chimes when opening if I do it from the driver seat. If I do it from the back, I don't think it chimes. Maybe it chimes if I use the foot swipe. Haven't paid attention -- but it could be contextual chiming.

It is only supposed to sound the chimes when closing. No other times unless it quick chimes when reaching the top (full open) to indicate a problem.

Peter

 

[Eric F]

Just checked my XLT - remote, front button, foot swipe, tailgate button. Chimes on closing. No chimes on opening.

 

[kmarnes]

I stand corrected. Performed the same test as Eric... and it only chimes when it initiates going down. Tried it with engine running too.

 

[Jon M]

There's no such thing as a "dead thread". Only hibernating ones waiting to be nudged awake. That's the way the Forum is designed to work.
Jon, does the liftgate remain in the open position until you close it? Are the sounds you are hearing when the liftgate reaches the top a rapid chime compared to normal ones that you get just before the 'gate' begins to close? If you are, see post #10 above. There is a 'Liftgate Reset Procedure' in the Manual. Have you tried that?

Peter

You are correct. It reaches the top, and then gives the rapid chime. I looked at that post, and I had a copy of the 4th printing of the manual open, but the procedure wasn't on pg 122. Unless the 4th printing for 2011 is different than the 4th printing for 2013. And I couldn't find it easily in the PDF manual. I need to look through mine, but haven't had time.

I'm having problems with it not closing properly. It gets somewhere between 2/3 and 98% closed, and then opens again. There's also a lot of creaking and groaning during both opening and closing.