Truck doesn’t recognize when Tailgate is open.

[MCSandersbro]

Has anyone had an issue where the truck doesn’t recognize the tailgate being open? My cargo lights won’t come on when opening the tailgate and the console doesn’t give me any warnings or recognize its ajar. This just started happening yesterday... is there a fuse specifically for the tailgate?

 

[Willwork4truck]

Ha mine is the opposite - it sends me a big red warning the tailgate isn't closed when it is... maybe 1-2x a week. No idea what or why. Doubt it's a fuse though.

 

[Ranger482]

Have not heard of this issue before. Sounds like a sensor somewhere or possibly bad connection? Let us know if you find the culprit.

 

[MCSandersbro]

Have not heard of this issue before. Sounds like a sensor somewhere or possibly bad connection? Let us know if you find the culprit.

Will do.

 

[User_21361]

Mine is the same way. Was planning some bed lights but need to figure this out first.

Does anyone know where the sensor for this is?

 

[Richard320]

Mine is the same way. Was planning some bed lights but need to figure this out first.

Does anyone know where the sensor for this is?

My suspicion is that it is inside the tailgate, near a latch. Otherwise the light would stay on all the time with the gate removed and the wiring unplugged.

 

[User_21361]

The switch is built into the latch. It's a simple circuit the goes back through the harness. The line has voltage, but not much (.5 volts) and the switch works. I traced the voltage to the tailgate harness and get the same reading. That means the issue is somewhere else on the truck which means my life got harder haha. Maybe a dealer problem.

Anyone have any more bright ideas. For those interested the switch is located on the passenger latch of the tailgate. I know some had issues with the tailgate registering open. You only need to adjust the passenger side.

 

[MCSandersbro]

The switch is built into the latch. It's a simple circuit the goes back through the harness. The line has voltage, but not much (.5 volts) and the switch works. I traced the voltage to the tailgate harness and get the same reading. That means the issue is somewhere else on the truck which means my life got harder haha. Maybe a dealer problem.

Anyone have any more bright ideas. For those interested the switch is located on the passenger latch of the tailgate. I know some had issues with the tailgate registering open. You only need to adjust the passenger side.

I’m glad it’s not just me. I’ve checked everything I can think and can’t figure it out. I’m taking it to the dealer.

 

[User_21361]

I have an appointment on Fri for this and fixing my auto dimming headlights. Let me know what you find out.

 

[RamCares]

Ha mine is the opposite - it sends me a big red warning the tailgate isn't closed when it is... maybe 1-2x a week. No idea what or why. Doubt it's a fuse though.

Hello Willwork4truck,
We know you are reaching out to your fellow forum members, however we would suggest having your dealer address your concern. If you need additional assistance while working with them, please reach out to us privately.
Laura
Ram Cares

 

[RamCares]

Has anyone had an issue where the truck doesn’t recognize the tailgate being open? My cargo lights won’t come on when opening the tailgate and the console doesn’t give me any warnings or recognize its ajar. This just started happening yesterday... is there a fuse specifically for the tailgate?

Hello MCSandersbro,
We know you are reaching out to your fellow forum members, however we would suggest having your dealer address your concern. If you need additional assistance while working with them, please reach out to us privately.
Laura
Ram Cares

 

[MCSandersbro]

I have an appointment on Fri for this and fixing my auto dimming headlights. Let me know what you find out.

Dropped it at the dealer today. I’ll let you know what they say.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Hello Willwork4truck,
We know you are reaching out to your fellow forum members, however we would suggest having your dealer address your concern. If you need additional assistance while working with them, please reach out to us privately.
Laura
Ram Cares

?? Thats what the forum is for, unless you think it should just be ra ra RAM...

 

[MCSandersbro]

?? Thats what the forum is for, unless you think it should just be ra ra RAM...

Right?

 

[john94si]

When the gate is open should it show on the dash? Mine doesnt and i thought it should

 

[User_21361]

When the gate is open should it show on the dash? Mine doesnt and i thought it should

Yes it should That's what I'm having to dealer look at. Your cargo light should also come on

 

[TruckDriver]

Ha mine is the opposite - it sends me a big red warning the tailgate isn't closed when it is... maybe 1-2x a week. No idea what or why. Doubt it's a fuse though.

Mine does that from time to time, I've noticed the right side latch doesn't close as tightly as the left unless I lift from the right side of the tailgate

 

[MCSandersbro]

Mine does that from time to time, I've noticed the right side latch doesn't close as tightly as the left unless I lift from the right side of the tailgate

Yesterday I got a call from the service guy. They had been working on it all day and are still scratching their heads. They crazy thing that he said was, the mechanic went out to his truck which was the same year and model to compare something and noticed his was doing the same thing! Which he never noticed before. Sooooo still troubleshooting.
It’s definitely not the latch. Something isn’t talking to something somewhere.

 

[TruckDriver]

Yesterday I got a call from the service guy. They had been working on it all day and are still scratching their heads. They crazy thing that he said was, the mechanic went out to his truck which was the same year and model to compare something and noticed his was doing the same thing! Which he never noticed before. Sooooo still troubleshooting.
It’s definitely not the latch. Something isn’t talking to something somewhere.

It may be whatever microswitch is triggered by the latch - I've noticed when my tailgate is closed but the dash says 'open', the right side is just mm ajar, you have to feel for it but it's there, I'm wondering if the rubber stops are just pushing the latch out enough w/o slamming it shut.

 

[User_21361]

It may be whatever microswitch is triggered by the latch - I've noticed when my tailgate is closed but the dash says 'open', the right side is just mm ajar, you have to feel for it but it's there, I'm wondering if the rubber stops are just pushing the latch out enough w/o slamming it shut.

Our issue is a bit different. Regardless of tailgate position (closed or fully open), the tailgate registers as closed on the dash console. For your issue, you can likely just adjust the metal tailgate post to move it so it engages the latch more effectively. If your truck is like mine, the microswitch is only on the passenger side of the tailgate. In my case, I took the latch apart and tested the microswitch with no luck.