Power Tailgate not opening

[kapinallinen2]

Are there 2 actuators in the multifunction tailgate?

From what I can tell looking at alldatadiy wiring diagram, there are 4 actuator motors. All driven by the "module-tailgate" Fused by the F30, controlled either by the BCM or the "switch- tailgate handle"

 

[Ronkartz72]

Sometimes the latch gets out of whack. mine on the right hand side will move a bit, I guess from closing the tailgate. Get a large torx socket and adjust try adjusting it.

 

[Johnwi]

Just received another update from the dealership on my multi function tailgate. They installed the new module and can now communicate with it, it is setting a code for the left swing latch and they have one ordered and it will be in tomorrow. The part was 90.00 They will cover the labor since it is taking so long. They should have the truck done and ready to go hopefully tomorrow morning

 

[go-ram]

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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I've had the "doesn't even click" issue with my MFT a few times. Each time I was able to fix it by disconnecting the 12V battery ground under the hood, letting it sit for a couple of hours (or overnight), reconnecting battery ground cable and driving normally.
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My 2020 MFT started the "no-click" problem when the truck was about three years old, I had the issue intermittently for about six months, remedied each time as described above, and haven't had the problem for the past six months. I suspect it was a bad over-the-air update that Ram eventually fixed without telling anyone, including the dealers.
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Best of luck, I hope your dealer's repair fixes it. But if it returns, maybe give the battery-disconnect trick a try - that has always cured every electronic glitch my truck has had from day one.
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[Johnwi]

That’s interesting. I actually did disconnect the 12 volt battery for about 40 minutes and cleaned up the terminals which weren’t dirty but thought maybe disconnecting them might reset something. I’ve disconnected the 12 volt battery numerous times over the years to reset my vehicle wifi. My WiFi will just go out and if I disconnect the battery, it always reboots itself and the WiFi reconnects.

 

[go-ram]

That’s interesting. I actually did disconnect the 12 volt battery for about 40 minutes and cleaned up the terminals which weren’t dirty but thought maybe disconnecting them might reset something. I’ve disconnected the 12 volt battery numerous times over the years to reset my vehicle wifi. My WiFi will just go out and if I disconnect the battery, it always reboots itself and the WiFi reconnects.

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I don't know anything about the details of the needs of the many individual control modules scattered around modern vehicles, but I do know that my 2020 Ram gets crosswise if (A) a given OTA (over-the-air) update didn't go to completion before I shut it down, or (B) my truck sits for long enough that multiple updates get stacked up in series.
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The engineering tech support folks at Banks Power told me to leave the 12 V battery disconnected for a couple of hours, then reconnect it and let it sit overnight, to give it plenty of time to run whatever updates it might have to do, then drive the truck for at least an hour, then let it sit for at least two hours after shutoff (but with 12 V still connected) to let it settle itself down again.
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My guess is that the bandwidth of the OTA downloads is relatively slow, then the installation times are fairly slow, so it's not exactly fast like maybe our modern smartphones or a brand new laptop are for updates. And if, say, it has to update the engine control module and the body control module and who knows what other modules need updating, maybe it can only do one at a time, so it takes longer than we might assume it will.
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It's maddening to me, and I don't think it should be this way, but for me that's how it goes. One confounding factor I have is that, due to an unexpected change in life, my truck can sit 3-4 weeks between uses (with a Noco Genius battery conditioner always connected). I think people who drive their trucks regularly, and where the truck is on for 1-2 hours at a stretch, I think the OTAs go smoother and unnoticed than for my low-use case where multiple module updates can get stacked up waiting for a restart to complete themselves.
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All that just FWIW. I know my situation is probably quite different from most Ram owners, but the method the tech support folks at Banks Power taught me has done the trick every time my Ram has started acting wonky, as long as I am patient and follow their procedure all the way through and give the truck the time it needs to complete things as expected and settle itself down.
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[Johnwi]

Thanks for sharing. That’s helpful information. If I get my truck back today, I definitely going to reboot the system like you’ve stated.

 

[go-ram]

Thanks for sharing. That’s helpful information. If I get my truck back today, I definitely going to reboot the system like you’ve stated.

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If I was in that position, I'd jst drive itnormally for a full week after the dealer touched it. If the dealer did any updates, you want them to settle down before doing anything else. Just what I would do, my two-cents worth.
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[Johnwi]

Roger that

 

[Johnwi]

It appears the dealership has run into a bit of a hiccup. The additional new part was installed but now the passenger side or 1/4 door, will not unlatch. I don’t think I’ll be getting my truck back this week. They’ve already had my truck for one week.

 

[Rebel-4x4]

It appears the dealership has run into a bit of a hiccup. The additional new part was installed but now the passenger side or 1/4 door, will not unlatch. I don’t think I’ll be getting my truck back this week. They’ve already had my truck for one week.

sorry to hear that.

 

[Johnwi]

I was just notified my truck is finished. $727.43 is the total for repairs. I had to leave town so can’t pick it up. I’ll update everyone if I have any additional issues moving forward. I have a feeling this is going to be something that crops up in the future.

 

[Johnwi]

I finally was able to pick up my truck this morning. The truck sat out all night in -8 degree temperatures. I tried the latch, key fob and button inside and they all opened the tailgate. I’m posting the repair summary in an attachment to help other members with similar issues. I’ll keep,you posted if any other issues arise. They mention two metal interior tailgate panels that I apparently ripped off and broke. I removed the plastic panels held on by the plastic push rivets but nothing was broken nor did I “rip” them off as they stated. Not sure what that’s about.

 

[Johnwi]

Well, the tailgate is acting up again and won’t open. I had the truck outside in 22 degree temperatures for about 8 hours. I drove to my storage facility to drop off some equipment and the tailgate would not open. I tried the remote, door latch and button in cab and nothing works. I drove home, backed truck in garage and shut it off. I walked around to back of truck and tried the latch and now it opens. It did the same exact thing when I picked it up at the dealership. The truck sat outside in below zero temps at the dealership. The first thing I did was start it and let it warm up. I then tried to open the tailgate and it didn’t open. I immediately drove the truck across the parking lot to the service garage and drove inside. I shut truck off, walked around back and the tailgate opens. This is bizarre and terribly frustrating to say the least. I have to pick up equipment two hours away from me tomorrow and have no confidence my tailgate will open so I can load the equipment. I’m going to try a battery disconnection for a few hours and reconnect and let it sit overnight like previously suggested.

 

[Rebel-4x4]

Well, the tailgate is acting up again and won’t open. I had the truck outside in 22 degree temperatures for about 8 hours. I drove to my storage facility to drop off some equipment and the tailgate would not open. I tried the remote, door latch and button in cab and nothing works. I drove home, backed truck in garage and shut it off. I walked around to back of truck and tried the latch and now it opens. It did the same exact thing when I picked it up at the dealership. The truck sat outside in below zero temps at the dealership. The first thing I did was start it and let it warm up. I then tried to open the tailgate and it didn’t open. I immediately drove the truck across the parking lot to the service garage and drove inside. I shut truck off, walked around back and the tailgate opens. This is bizarre and terribly frustrating to say the least. I have to pick up equipment two hours away from me tomorrow and have no confidence my tailgate will open so I can load the equipment. I’m going to try a battery disconnection for a few hours and reconnect and let it sit overnight like previously suggested.

I feel your pain. Minen hasnt worked for awhile now. Changed a few parts now with no luck. NOT HAPPY

 

[kapinallinen2]

I do not have remote release, just the basic dumb one piece tailgate.
Every once in the while it will not release unless I push it in while pulling on the handle.
I can hear the actuator kicking in, it`s acting like there is not enough force to overcome
the friction in the latches.

 

[fugarrr]

Push as if you are closing it at the same time as you hit the release and hear the click.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Push as if you are closing it at the same time as you hit the release and hear the click.

Yes.

 

[Johnwi]

I have tried the push method many times but unfortunately it doesn’t work. After I disconnected the battery for several hours, I let the truck sit overnight and then drove it for several hours the next day. The tailgate is operating now but it’s been warm temperature wise so not sure if I’m onto something or not. The last 3 times I tried opening the tailgate, the truck was running and it wouldn’t open. I shut the truck off and went around back and it opened by depressing the handle buttons.

 

[Johnwi]

The tailgate pretty consistently won’t open when my truck is running. If I shut the truck off, I can walk around back and open the tailgate. I wanted to give things enough time to possibly reconnect or work themselves out but it looks like it may be time to return to the dealer and have them plug the truck in see if if anything pops up