Power Liftgate System
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2006 Dodge Caravan, and 2006 Chrysler Town & Country. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The power liftgate system contains many components and modules. In order to obtain conclusive testing the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network and all of the electronic modules that provide inputs to, or receive outputs from the power liftgate system must be checked.
The power liftgate system can be diagnosed with an appropriate scan tool, such as the DRB III® or equivalent. The DRB III® can be used to observe various switch statuses throughout the power liftgate system to help diagnose an inoperative switch or component. The DRB III® can also be used to actuate various components throughout the power liftgate system to help diagnose an inoperative component.
Before any testing of the power liftgate system is attempted, the battery should be fully charged, all built-in power liftgate system inhibitors read and understood, and all wire harness and ground connections inspected around the affected areas on the vehicle.
The following are quick reference diagnostic tables to help when diagnosing and testing the power liftgate system.
LIFTGATE SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| Liftgate opens unexpectedly | Inoperative Power Liftgate Module or Body Control Module (BCM) | Disconnect then reconnect the battery negative cable to reset module. Cycle the power liftgate, if the power liftgate is still not operating properly check for loose wire connections, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information |
| - | Inoperative latch assembly | Check for blown fuse and loose wiring connections |
| - | Check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), replace latch as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative open/close command switch | Check for shorted or inoperative switch. Replace switch as necessary |
| Liftgate will not open from outside of vehicle manually | Inoperative key cylinder assembly | Check for inoperative key cylinder assembly. Replace key cylinder as necessary |
| - | - | Check link rod connections at the latch and key cylinder assembly |
| - | Check for binds or kinks in link rod | |
| - | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of key cylinder assembly | |
| - | - | Replace the components as necessary |
| - | Inoperative latch assembly | Check for blown fuse and loose wiring connections |
| - | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of latch assembly | |
| - | Replace latch assembly as necessary | |
| - | Binding or sticking of components | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of door |
| - | - | Establish location of binding |
| - | Replace the components as necessary | |
| Liftgate will not open/close under power | Inoperative Power Liftgate Module or BCM | Disconnect then reconnect the battery negative cable to reset module. Cycle the power liftgate, if the power liftgate is still not operating properly check for loose wire connections, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information |
| - | Inoperative latch assembly | Check for blown fuse and loose wiring connections |
| - | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of latch assembly | |
| - | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. Replace latch assembly as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative motor assembly | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. |
| - | Inoperative full open switch | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. |
| - | Binding or sticking of components | Establish location of binding and replace components as necessary |
| Power loss during Liftgate operation | Low battery voltage | Charge battery |
| - | Inoperative Power Liftgate Module or BCM | Disconnect then reconnect the battery negative cable to reset module. Cycle the power liftgate, if the power liftgate is still not operating properly check for loose wire connections, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information |
| - | Inoperative motor assembly | Check for no drive condition |
| No power latching in primary and/or secondary positions | Inoperative latch assembly | Check for blown fuse and loose wiring connections |
| - | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of latch assembly | |
| - | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. Replace latch assembly as necessary | |
| - | Binding or sticking of components | Establish location of binding and replace components as necessary |
| - | Inoperative Power Liftgate or BCM | Disconnect then reconnect the battery negative cable to reset module. Cycle the power liftgate, if the power liftgate is still not operating properly check for loose wire connections, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information |
| - | Door seal force too high | Inspect seals for damage, mis-assembly, foreign matter or other possible obstruction |
| - | Inoperative motor assembly | Check for no drive condition |
| Latch will not fully release from primary position | Inoperative latch assembly | Check for blown fuse and loose wiring connections |
| - | Check for foreign matter or damaged components preventing the operation of latch assembly | |
| - | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. Replace latch assembly as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative outside handle switch | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. Replace switch as necessary |
| - | Inoperative Power Liftgate Module or BCM | Disconnect then reconnect the battery negative cable to reset module. Cycle the power liftgate, if the power liftgate is still not operating properly check for loose wire connections, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information |
| - | Binding or sticking of components | Establish location of binding and replace components as necessary |
| Key fob, Outside Handle or overhead console switches do not power operate liftgate | Blown Fuse | Check fuse and replace |
| - | Battery voltage low | Charge or replace battery in key fob or vehicle |
| - | Inoperative latch assembly | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of latch assembly |
| - | Check wire connection | |
| - | Pawl and/or ratchet switch inoperative. Replace latch as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative BCM | Check electrical connections |
| - | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information for additional checks | |
| - | Replace BCM as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative key fob | Verify inoperative key fob by trying other key fob functions |
| Replace key fob battery | ||
| Reprogram key fob | ||
| - | Replace key fob as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative Power Liftgate Module | Disconnect then reconnect the battery negative cable to reset module. Cycle the power liftgate, if the power liftgate is still not operating properly check for loose wire connections, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information |
| - | Inoperative liftgate motor assembly | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of gear motor assembly |
| - | Check wire connections | |
| - | Motor clutch does not engage. Replace liftgate motor assembly | |
| - | Full open switch inoperative, replace switch as necessary | |
| Liftgate does not stay open | Inoperative liftgate prop rods | Check for broken attachments. Replace prop rods as necessary |
| High inside/outside opening effort | Inoperative liftgate prop rods | Check for broken attachments. Replace prop rods as necessary |
| - | Gear motor did not disengage | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. Replace components as necessary |
| - | Binding or sticking of components | Establish location of binding and replace components as necessary |
| Liftgate continues to cinch closed during power mode | Inoperative latch assembly | Check for blown fuse and loose wiring connections |
| - | Check for foreign matter preventing the operation of latch assembly | |
| - | Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. Replace components as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative Power Liftgate Module or BCM | Disconnect then reconnect battery to reset module, function liftgate, if no function exists check for loose wire connections, see BODY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES article for detailed procedures |
| Liftgate continues to open during power mode (runaway motor) | Inoperative Power Liftgate Module or BCM | Disconnect then reconnect the battery negative cable to reset module. Cycle the power liftgate, if the power liftgate is still not operating properly check for loose wire connections, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information |
| - | Inoperative full open switch | Check wire connections |
| - | Replace switch, if necessary | |
| - | Inoperative motor assembly | Check for continuous drive condition |
| Liftgate opens very slowly | Inoperative liftgate motor assembly | Check wire connections |
| - | Replace motor assembly as necessary | |
| - | Inoperative liftgate prop rods | Replace prop rods as necessary |
| - | Binding or sticking of components | Establish location of binding and replace components as necessary |
| - | Grade of vehicle too steep for power operation | Operate liftgate manually |
| Squeaks, Noises and rattles | Foreign material in door compartment | Remove foreign material |
| - | Loose components | Check and tighten loose components as necessary |