[SOLVED] 2015 Yukon Denali power liftgate will not CLOSE automatically.

Tarryl Madison · May 21, 2025

Opens with no problem using the fob, handle button or overhead button. Will not close with any of the above or the close button on the bottom of the gate itself, so I always have to shut it manually. If I hold the close button long enough I get beeps along with a flash of the turn signals, but nothing happens. Any ideas welcomed...

Big Mama · May 27, 2025

No mechanical sound when you try? No motor sound or clicking? When you do it manually does it close smoothly? Check connections to the actuators. Here’s an old post that may help.

2015 Denali liftgate motor not working

Hello, The motor for tailgate stopped working. I press the switch in the handle or use the remote and the door unlocks but won’t open. I have to manually open and close the tailgate. The switch in the overhead counsel is in the on position. Is there anything else I could lack at? Thanks, Lou

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Tarryl Madison · Jun 6, 2025

Everything opens fine, no unusual sounds or anything. I've seen where some people suggested checking fuses but they all check out. Here's a pic of my interior fuse cluster. Am I missing anything?

Big Mama · Jun 8, 2025

I think in the old post he ended up getting new actuators. At 10 years old they’re probably tired. You can always get the from Amazon and return them if they don’t fix the problem.

Loki223 · Jun 12, 2025

Did this suddenly start, or was it a gradual thing?

Tarryl Madison · Jun 15, 2025

Loki223 said:
Did this suddenly start, or was it a gradual thing?

Never closed from the time I bought it. Replaced the struts, lock actuator, even the close button with factory parts. Nothing...

Doubeleive · Jun 15, 2025

When it is opening and you instruct it with your hand, does it reverse and close?

Tarryl Madison · Jun 26, 2025

Doubeleive said:
When it is opening and you instruct it with your hand, does it reverse and close?

OBstruct? Yes, it will close back down then

Big Mama · Jun 26, 2025

it sure sounds like something obstructing it but Joe cleared that. How a loud chaffed wires from top of rear into the llift gate? I know I’m grabbing at straws now.

PG01 · Jun 26, 2025

Well, technically you can instruct it how to close with your hand but sometimes inanimate objects don't listen very well….

Doubeleive · Jun 26, 2025

Tarryl Madison said:
OBstruct? Yes, it will close back down then

then it sounds like maybe a issue with the module, you need a decent scanner that can send a command to tell it to close if it doesn't respond then I would replace and relearn the replacement module. because it sounds like everything is working properly otherwise.
the fact that the motor reverses when obstructed tells me the motor is working both ways, the lights flashing and the beeping tells me the button is working.

Tarryl Madison · May 23, 2026

So after 3 years of owning this and never being able to close the ligtgate automatically, I finally caved and took it to the dealership to have them diagnose. For the low, low price of just $200.00, I was told that I needed to replace the driver's side pressure sensor, which was damaged and missing part of what looked to be just trim seal. I'd seen it, but never thought much about it. It kinda acts like your garage door seal, if it's going down and something hits it, the door goes back up. In my case, since part of the sensor was missing, it never got "the ok" that it was safe to close. Picked up one from Amazon for $100 and installed (vs. another $600 for them to do it) and have been literally giddy since it started working. Hope someone else might be able to use the info. Link for the sensor below:

Amazon.com: GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor : Automotive

Buy GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor: Speed Sensors - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Pivot · May 28, 2026

I’ve had similar issues over years with mine. I’ve replaced the latch and the actuators (with OEM) and it still happens. The failure to close/latch or the re-open only happens when it’s most inconvenient.

Never would have crossed my mind to explore the object detection sensor; I just put this in the ‘gremlins’ category. Going to check these. Thanks for sharing

Doubeleive · May 28, 2026

Tarryl Madison said:
So after 3 years of owning this and never being able to close the ligtgate automatically, I finally caved and took it to the dealership to have them diagnose. For the low, low price of just $200.00, I was told that I needed to replace the driver's side pressure sensor, which was damaged and missing part of what looked to be just trim seal. I'd seen it, but never thought much about it. It kinda acts like your garage door seal, if it's going down and something hits it, the door goes back up. In my case, since part of the sensor was missing, it never got "the ok" that it was safe to close. Picked up one from Amazon for $100 and installed (vs. another $600 for them to do it) and have been literally giddy since it started working. Hope someone else might be able to use the info. Link for the sensor below:

Amazon.com: GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor : Automotive

Buy GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor: Speed Sensors - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

That "seal" is basically a balloon, you probably could have put some type of sealer on the damaged part (maybe) i know on mine if you press on it, it activates the lock by air pressure. I found it by accident some time back when I was leaning in to lift some things out of the back and had put my hand on it and heard a "click"
it might operate the reverse on the k2's though I haven't looked at the wifes suburban but I just figured if there was ever a issue that could be a reason why if that seal was damaged.

SpareParts · May 28, 2026

Tarryl Madison said:
So after 3 years of owning this and never being able to close the ligtgate automatically, I finally caved and took it to the dealership to have them diagnose. For the low, low price of just $200.00, I was told that I needed to replace the driver's side pressure sensor, which was damaged and missing part of what looked to be just trim seal. I'd seen it, but never thought much about it. It kinda acts like your garage door seal, if it's going down and something hits it, the door goes back up. In my case, since part of the sensor was missing, it never got "the ok" that it was safe to close. Picked up one from Amazon for $100 and installed (vs. another $600 for them to do it) and have been literally giddy since it started working. Hope someone else might be able to use the info. Link for the sensor below:

Amazon.com: GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor : Automotive

Buy GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor: Speed Sensors - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I know the feeling. Felt the same when i finally got my 07 gate working. Congratz!

Joseph Garcia · May 29, 2026

Thank you for advising us of your solution, and for posting and title tagging your solution to your issue with FIXED. Our collective knowledge base has been increased.

[SOLVED] 2015 Yukon Denali power liftgate will not CLOSE automatically.

Tarryl Madison

TYF Newbie

Big Mama

Full Access Member

2015 Denali liftgate motor not working

Tarryl Madison

TYF Newbie

Big Mama

Full Access Member

Loki223

Full Access Member

Tarryl Madison

TYF Newbie

Doubeleive

Wes

Tarryl Madison

TYF Newbie

Big Mama

Full Access Member

PG01

Elite Member

Doubeleive

Wes

Tarryl Madison

TYF Newbie

Amazon.com: GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor : Automotive

Pivot

Full Access Member

Doubeleive

Wes

Amazon.com: GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor : Automotive

SpareParts

Elite Member

Amazon.com: GM Genuine Parts 23454229 Driver Side Liftgate Object Sensor : Automotive

Joseph Garcia

Elite Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Latest posts