Power Tailgate not opening

[cchella24]

Hey Forum,

My tailgate would not open. I'm pretty sure its malfunction with the electronic release...I can hear it clicking when I try through power or manually. Thought I'd reach out on here first. With this COVID I'd rather not take it in if I dont have to..Does anyone know any troubleshooting tips or repairs that I can do??

Thanks,

Christopher

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Try to open it yourself. Hit the latch and actually PUSH against the tailgate at the same time. My wife doesn't close it tight at times. Still enough to indicate it's closed but it won't open on its own or by hitting the latch and pulling. Just a little push while holding the release button /area and it pops open

 

[RamCares]

Hey Forum,

My tailgate would not open. I'm pretty sure its malfunction with the electronic release...I can hear it clicking when I try through power or manually. Thought I'd reach out on here first. With this COVID I'd rather not take it in if I dont have to..Does anyone know any troubleshooting tips or repairs that I can do??

Thanks,

Christopher

Hi @cchella24 - I regret to hear that you are experiencing trouble. I understand your sentiments, however, If this is something that you do have to address with your dealer, please do not hesitate to follow up with us via PM so that we may provide you with an additional layer of support for that process.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Frankejr74]

Hey Forum,

My tailgate would not open. I'm pretty sure its malfunction with the electronic release...I can hear it clicking when I try through power or manually. Thought I'd reach out on here first. With this COVID I'd rather not take it in if I dont have to..Does anyone know any troubleshooting tips or repairs that I can do??

Thanks,

Christopher

Mine did the same thing. I had to take it to the dealer to it reprogrammed. Now I have to push the tailgate in just a bit to get it to unlock

 

[cchella24]

Try to open it yourself. Hit the latch and actually PUSH against the tailgate at the same time. My wife doesn't close it tight at times. Still enough to indicate it's closed but it won't open on its own or by hitting the latch and pulling. Just a little push while holding the release button /area and it pops open

Tried all that...I cant get inside the bed because of the tonneau to push against the tailgate

 

[cchella24]

Hi @cchella24 - I regret to hear that you are experiencing trouble. I understand your sentiments, however, If this is something that you do have to address with your dealer, please do not hesitate to follow up with us via PM so that we may provide you with an additional layer of support for that process.

Mark
RamCares

Thanks Mark, will do!

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Tried all that...I cant get inside the bed because of the tonneau to push against the tailgate

You don't want to try to push it open. Push as if you are closing it at the same time as you hit the release and hear the click.

 

[jloops]

Hey Forum,

My tailgate would not open. I'm pretty sure its malfunction with the electronic release...I can hear it clicking when I try through power or manually. Thought I'd reach out on here first. With this COVID I'd rather not take it in if I dont have to..Does anyone know any troubleshooting tips or repairs that I can do??

Thanks,

Christopher

I had the same issue. Took it to the dealership several times was told they couldn’t duplicate the issue. Saw on a different thread to adjust the passenger side striker bolt where the tailgate latches about a 1/16th rearward, some people had to go 1/8th inch. Only took a few minutes and haven’t had the issue since.

 

[Big Ballers]

I had the same issue. Took it to the dealership several times was told they couldn’t duplicate the issue. Saw on a different thread to adjust the passenger side striker bolt where the tailgate latches about a 1/16th rearward, some people had to go 1/8th inch. Only took a few minutes and haven’t had the issue since.

Had the same problem. Service manager did same as above.works perfect now.

 

[RamCares]

Had the same problem. Service manager did same as above.works perfect now.

I am glad to hear that your dealer was able to assist with this, @Big Ballers. If you are ever in need of any additional support, our team is always a private message away.

Mark
RamCares

 

[HMC8403]

My tailgate wouldn't open by use of manual handle but worked fine with the keyfob. Dealer replaced the handle.

 

[james.h.morris68]

Same problem with mine. Just started the other day. 27k on the odometer. Doesn’t matter if it’s the roof button, key fob, or handle in the tail gate. Always sticks unless I push it around. I gave it some lube on the latch in case it was that sticking and no joy. I’ll adjust striker tomorrow and advise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Diamondback]

I finally had the issue last weekend -- but it wouldn't close. I was like, WTH?
Then I remembered everyone's posts here and held the tailgate open about 45* and pushed to the driver's side and it closed. The striker (larger diameter) was trying to enter the latch when the smaller diameter is supposed to.

PUSH the tailgate closed and grab the handle (like @Jus Cruisin said). If it opens, then go from there.

If needed, take to the dealer - there are plenty of items the Techs have to fix it. If you are able to fix yourself, put spacers in on the passenger side like the others have said (there is another thread regarding how to do that). For me, I had to adjust the T-45 Torx Bit passenger side striker and move it back a bit because the TAILGATE OPEN light was always on, and I had to SLAM the tailgate to get it to close. Then, I could hit the inside button or the FOB button and it opens beautifully.

STAR CASE S1823000056 (shows how to adjust the tailgate plate - once you get it open, or course) and S180800156 (may not apply to you since you hear the CLICK)

 

[RamCares]

Same problem with mine. Just started the other day. 27k on the odometer. Doesn’t matter if it’s the roof button, key fob, or handle in the tail gate. Always sticks unless I push it around. I gave it some lube on the latch in case it was that sticking and no joy. I’ll adjust striker tomorrow and advise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi @james.h.morris68 - If you do have to address this with your dealer, please be sure to follow up with us via private message. We would like to escalate a case on your behalf so that your dealer has the additional support of a specialist in addressing this.

Mark
RamCares

 

[mark413d]

I had the same issue. Took it to the dealership several times was told they couldn’t duplicate the issue. Saw on a different thread to adjust the passenger side striker bolt where the tailgate latches about a 1/16th rearward, some people had to go 1/8th inch. Only took a few minutes and haven’t had the issue since.

Thanks Man! I did this adjustment, it took me 2 minutes, and so far it seems to be working!

 

[Johnwi]

I have the multifunction tailgate and cannot open it with the key fob or by depressing the upper or lower latch handle. I’ve tried depressing the the latch and applying pressure inwards at the same time. I’m not even hearing a “click” when I depress the latch levers. It as almost if I do t have any powers to the latches. I’m trying to figure out how to remove the inside panels of the tailgate to get to the wiring and latches. As of right now, I cannot get my tailgate down or open the smaller door

 

[Johnwi]

I haven’t been able to open my multifunction tailgate for the last week. I’ve tried depressing both latches, the tailgate release inside the cab and my key fob but cannot get it to open. I don’t even hear an audible “click” like it wants to open. It’s basically dead. I have a truck cap on my bed so accessing the inside of the tailgate makes things a little more difficult. I checked the fuse and it tested ok. I dropped it off at the dealership this morning at 8:00am and they notified me at 4:00pm that they have the tailgate open but haven’t looked at the wiring yet. I’m guessing it’s the electric latches or wiring harness since it’s completely dead. The truck has been in a heated garage for days so no issues of something being iced over or frozen. I don’t even want to think what this repair is going to cost in labor. You think they would’ve installed some kind of manual lever or something where you could still open the tailgate if the electrical latches or wiring system is inoperable.

 

[GM2021]

I haven’t been able to open my multifunction tailgate for the last week. I’ve tried depressing both latches, the tailgate release inside the cab and my key fob but cannot get it to open. I don’t even hear an audible “click” like it wants to open. It’s basically dead. I have a truck cap on my bed so accessing the inside of the tailgate makes things a little more difficult. I checked the fuse and it tested ok. I dropped it off at the dealership this morning at 8:00am and they notified me at 4:00pm that they have the tailgate open but haven’t looked at the wiring yet. I’m guessing it’s the electric latches or wiring harness since it’s completely dead. The truck has been in a heated garage for days so no issues of something being iced over or frozen. I don’t even want to think what this repair is going to cost in labor. You think they would’ve installed some kind of manual lever or something where you could still open the tailgate if the electrical latches or wiring system is inoperable.

I'm in the same position. After 3 hours, the dealer got the 60/40 doors to work (not sure how), but could not get the full tailgate to open. No actuator sound when using the lever or the key fob. Please let me know what you find out about this failure. TIA

 

[Johnwi]

Just heard back from the dealership this morning on the non-opening tailgate. I was told the module needs replacement. I don’t have any specifics or part numbers as of yet. I assume there’s a control module in the tailgate or somewhere else. $592.50 for parts and labor as of right now

 

[GM2021]

I checked to see if all fuses were well-seated in the internal fuse box (including F30; pink 30amp), and about 15 were not. But, seating F30 did not correct the tailgate issue. Are there 2 actuators in the multifunction tailgate?