Automatic liftgate open/close not working

[chris4851]

Has anyone had an issue with the liftgate not opening and closing like its suppose to? I press the auto opener from the key fob or manual button inside and everything appears to start working properly, unlocks and dings but then it does not open.

I have looked at the motor assembly and it appears to be receiving the signals but the motor and clutch type assembly does not engage.

Any ideas? I know there is a big black box with a circuit board where all the wiring is located by the liftgate motor assembly. I have read that these sometimes need reprogramming? Any thoughts?

 

[ajay]

Has anyone had an issue with the liftgate not opening and closing like its suppose to? I press the auto opener from the key fob or manual button inside and everything appears to start working properly, unlocks and dings but then it does not open.

I have looked at the motor assembly and it appears to be receiving the signals but the motor and clutch type assembly does not engage.

Any ideas? I know there is a big black box with a circuit board where all the wiring is located by the liftgate motor assembly. I have read that these sometimes need reprogramming? Any thoughts?

Check to make sure the manual open / close switch overhead is not toggled to the off position.

 

[chris4851]

I have checked this and it appears to work properly. When the switch is in the ON position and the remote liftgate open button is pressed it will make the sound and unlock like its suppose to but will not open. When the switch is in the OFF position and the remote liftgate open button is pressed nothing happens.

Any other thoughts?

I should probably explain how this happened as it might help a bit. I tried to open the liftgate with the automatic button and there was snow on the rear of the tailgate. I believe this might have tripped something. I do not think the motor burnt out. Are there any fuses for this assembly? I am beginning to think it might be the black box module that all the wiring is connected to.

 

[rogersinsel]

I have checked this and it appears to work properly. When the switch is in the ON position and the remote liftgate open button is pressed it will make the sound and unlock like its suppose to but will not open. When the switch is in the OFF position and the remote liftgate open button is pressed nothing happens.

Any other thoughts?

I should probably explain how this happened as it might help a bit. I tried to open the liftgate with the automatic button and there was snow on the rear of the tailgate. I believe this might have tripped something. I do not think the motor burnt out. Are there any fuses for this assembly? I am beginning to think it might be the black box module that all the wiring is connected to.

Sounds like something stripped.

 

[1stgen8]

I have checked this and it appears to work properly. When the switch is in the ON position and the remote liftgate open button is pressed it will make the sound and unlock like its suppose to but will not open. When the switch is in the OFF position and the remote liftgate open button is pressed nothing happens.

Any other thoughts?

I should probably explain how this happened as it might help a bit. I tried to open the liftgate with the automatic button and there was snow on the rear of the tailgate. I believe this might have tripped something. I do not think the motor burnt out. Are there any fuses for this assembly? I am beginning to think it might be the black box module that all the wiring is connected to.

Did you ever get your gate fixed? My 08 just started doing the same thing but mine does not chime. I had to push on the gate a few times in order to get the "rear access open" to go away on the dash.

 

[loosid]

Anything? My 07 tahoe liftgate just took a dmp. Same as above. Not the manual button. Suddenly stopped working. Latch unlocks, barely begins to work, then stops. I bought and replaced a 500 motor module and, disappointingly must say that was not the issue.

 

[GM Customer Service]

It is possible the liftgate module software may need to be updated, just a suggestion, not a diagnosis. I encourage you to take the vehicle in to be inspected by a certified technician. They will be able to offer additional information.

Louis
GM Customer Service

 

[steven johnson]

when it get's to cold, your lift gate will not open (gm document ID 1995519 ) #PIT3845C Power Liftgate Inoperative in Cold Weather , when very cold weather below -14 C (6.8 F). it will work find when it warms up

 

[imcamd]

It is possible the liftgate module software may need to be updated, just a suggestion, not a diagnosis. I encourage you to take the vehicle in to be inspected by a certified technician. They will be able to offer additional information.

Louis
GM Customer Service

The motor on my rear lift gate works, but liftgate won't open: It starts to open and then closes itself. I cannot physically lift it. Is the problem with the hydrolics? It is not cold, frozen, it worked yesterday. The glass portion will open. Replaced glass release button a month ago.

 

[bizrjr]

Exact problem happened to me days after I bought my 11 Denali. It was the struts on the lift gate. $180 replacement at the dealer.

 

[Dre Robb]

I recently experienced my lift gate on my 2009 Tahoe LTZ. I hear it the motor releasing and the gate begins to lift and then snatches back and locks. Is it a sensor or the struts as mention above. I need to pack somethings for a road trip in two weeks so I want to get this fixed before then. Any suggestions?

 

[fiatdale]

If you dont worry about the power lift, and hit the button to release it to manually open - youll be able to see if its the struts which it most likely is. If you lift it open and its heavy as all hell - its the struts.

 

[George B]

Mine is currently not working. This is frustrating. It has been working fine and now when I press either button it wont work. It unlatches but wont power open.

 

[George B]

Mine is currently not working. This is frustrating. It has been working fine and now when I press either button it wont work. It unlatches but wont power open.

It doesn’t even try. I checked fuse number 71 under the hood. Are there any others?

 

[George B]

I am thinking its the cold weather. Page 2-10 of the manual says something about that. It’s in the shop with the heat on.

 

[wjburken]

I am thinking its the cold weather. Page 2-10 of the manual says something about that. It’s in the shop with the heat on.

Can you open it manually?

 

[George B]

Can you open it manually?

Yup. Just doesn’t power open/close with the fob, overhead or rear button. Too cold to goof around with my tech2 and see if it’s disabled due to temperature.

 

[George B]

Yup. Just doesn’t power open/close with the fob, overhead or rear button. Too cold to goof around with my tech2 and see if it’s disabled due to temperature.

No love from it today. Had my shop at 50-ish and it still wont power open or close. Tech2 said it was out of range at first and then said it was not out of range. Had a code too.

 

[George B]

I found the parent thread for this issue but no real troubleshooting outline. The just of the thread is if it tries to open and can’t it’s the struts and if it doesn’t even try or makes a bunch of noise by the latch and then fails its the latch.
In other words “just chuck parts at it”. LOL!
Sounds like it will need to be 13584872 if that sounds right @915_Tahoe ???

 

[wjburken]

I found the parent thread for this issue but no real troubleshooting outline. The just of the thread is if it tries to open and can’t it’s the struts and if it doesn’t even try or makes a bunch of noise by the latch and then fails its the latch.
In other words “just chuck parts at it”. LOL!
Sounds like it will need to be 13584872 if that sounds right @915_Tahoe ???

If the latch is working for manual operation, I don’t think that is the issue, as it needs to release either way. I’m assuming the liftgate stays up when you open it manually, so the gas struts are probably fine. With the lift gate open, can you confirm that the lifting bar is still attached to the liftgate motor? You should be able to open the rubber seal in the driver side and look down where it attaches. If it is attached, you might have an issue with very thick/cold grease in the gear box casing issues.