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.
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2020 Ram Limited Multi Function Tailgate Won’t Open
- Thread starter Johnwi
- Start date
Just heard back from the dealership 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
Intreresting.
I was able to open my tail gate after playing around with some wires. Also my 115v inverter isn't working and the left hand switch on my steering wheel. Someone else posted that they changed the inverter module and thier steering wheel functiomns came back.
I was able to open my tail gate after playing around with some wires. Also my 115v inverter isn't working and the left hand switch on my steering wheel. Someone else posted that they changed the inverter module and thier steering wheel functiomns came back.
Where were the wires located that you played around with?
oe542bob
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Ugh, hate to hear about this. First, I love the multi function tailgate. Second, when I got my ‘22 Longhorn, the first thing I didn’t like was it’s electrically actuated. Plus the Ram Box lids are the same. My thought was, I hope I never have trouble with the lids or the tailgate not opening. I haven’t had any trouble YET!
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It is in the tail gate.
The rule used to be two thirds labor, looks like that has gone out the window.
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It was the passenger side kick panel. Unpluged some stuff and got it working a few times under a weird electrical glitch. My blinkers were flashing also. weird stuff. Might to reflash the system.
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What made you go there?
One thing that kind of puzzled me and made me think it was some kind of electrical glitch was when I depressed the tailgate handles. Sometimes upon doing that, the air suspension would adjust itself immediately upon depressing the tailgate handles. Since you mentioned blinkers blinking, every time I wash my truck by hand or with a pole on a brush, the blinkers will blink several times. It happens quite a lot so I just remove the key fob from my pocket and set it down away from the truck and it stops. Definitely has some electrical gremlins
This issue isn't limited to the MFT. The regular tail gate also has electric actuators.
Had some of my own wiring running down that way.
I understand there’s a recall on some year models with the regular tailgate opening up unintentionally. Too bad they didn’t include the MFT as well. Hard to believe there isn’t some kind of manual opener backup in case the electronic tailgate fails to work. If you have a truck cap or tonneau cover it’s definitely a compromising situation to gain access to your truck bed. For those of us that live in colder climates with snow and liquid salt brine being applied to the roads, it’s probably just a matter of time before the electrical connections fail or short out. The liquid salt brine gets into everything.
