Power Tailgate Getting Stuck Partially Open

[scottmac112]

Hello all,

I looked around the Internet and couldn’t find where anyone else had had this specific problem. My F-150 has the power raising and lowering tailgate and for about a month I’ve been unable to open it all the way. Whether I use the button inside the cab, the button on the remote, or the button on the tailgate itself, it’ll do the double beep, unlatch, and come out about 3-4 inches and sit there. I can’t even pull it down the rest of the way, but I can shut it manually. I’ve tried pulling and reinserting the fuse for the tailgate module, toggling Valet mode and the auto/manual tailgate setting in the infotainment system, basically all the self-service steps I could think of (short of unplugging the battery terminals). The Ford dealership in my hometown said it’s likely the “tension spring” (torsion rod, they might’ve meant?) but that they wouldn’t operate on it because the tailgate would have to be removed, and referred me to the collision center. I’m going to try and get into a different dealership tomorrow in the town I’m in now, but has anyone here had this problem or would anyone have any ideas of potential fixes? I’m getting a BakFlip bed cover put on in a couple of weeks and have to be able to open the tailgate to get that done. Thanks in advance!

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[redline]

Is there something jammed in there ?

 

[scottmac112]

Is there something jammed in there ?

If so it’d have to be inside the tailgate. Upon opening it just now I noticed it actually only opens about an inch (though I can pull it out to about 4 inches without force, and it bounces back), but the sides look fine aside from dirt buildup on the last bolts down (which I don’t think are pivot points)

EDIT: Through the “similar posts”, I found that actually this thread’s OP had had the exact same problem. I was able to force the tailgate open, pulling it through about 10 or so stops. I watched the instrument cluster for any messages but didn’t see anything about the step. It would not close itself either; I had to push it through each of those same stops to get it shut. @DWeber319, if you see this, how did yours get resolved? What I’m seeing is the exact same except I don’t have a bed cover (yet).

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hello all,

I looked around the Internet and couldn’t find where anyone else had had this specific problem. My F-150 has the power raising and lowering tailgate and for about a month I’ve been unable to open it all the way. Whether I use the button inside the cab, the button on the remote, or the button on the tailgate itself, it’ll do the double beep, unlatch, and come out about 3-4 inches and sit there. I can’t even pull it down the rest of the way, but I can shut it manually. I’ve tried pulling and reinserting the fuse for the tailgate module, toggling Valet mode and the auto/manual tailgate setting in the infotainment system, basically all the self-service steps I could think of (short of unplugging the battery terminals). The Ford dealership in my hometown said it’s likely the “tension spring” (torsion rod, they might’ve meant?) but that they wouldn’t operate on it because the tailgate would have to be removed, and referred me to the collision center. I’m going to try and get into a different dealership tomorrow in the town I’m in now, but has anyone here had this problem or would anyone have any ideas of potential fixes? I’m getting a BakFlip bed cover put on in a couple of weeks and have to be able to open the tailgate to get that done. Thanks in advance!

Good morning! Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this tailgate concern? Thank you!

 

[Ruffiano99]

Did you ever figure out what the issue was? Same thing just happened to mine.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Did you ever figure out what the issue was? Same thing just happened to mine.

Hi there! Will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? I can look into things on my end.

 

[KFost3705]

So I have joined this club of the tailgate unlatching but not opening. There's not much out there on how to fix it. I tried pulling the tailgate down but as others have said it springs back up. I'm concerned about pulling too hard. Please post the solution if anyone has figured it out.

 

[jsol53]

So this finally happened to my grandmothers truck. The tailgate would open but would not fall.

Issue turned out to be the actuator/motor that sits behind the tail gate cover. I will try and post a picture.
Ordered a new Lock Actuator which is what Ford calls it. Part cost a little over 500 after shipping and taxes.

Replacement was easy. Motor is held in by 2 T30 screws and 2 5/16 bolts(these are on the bottom of the tail gate). Hardest part was maneuvering the old motor out and new motor in. Mind the alignment of the spindle shaft.

once new part was installed it took a few cycles of the FOB for the tailgate to find itself and work correctly, it was almost like re-homing itself.

Good luck everyone else hope this helps.

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