Common Power Liftgate Problems and How to Diagnose Them

Opening and closing your vehicle’s rear door or liftgate can be difficult when your hands are occupied or if you have a hand injury.  Luckily, automakers have introduced a convenient solution.

A power liftgate makes it possible for you to open and close your ride’s liftgate or rear door automatically with the help of a foot sensor, a button, or a switch. But like any other automatic mechanism, your power liftgate can malfunction over time.

Why Is My Power Liftgate Not Working?

Here are some of the most common power liftgate problems:

Lift Strut Issues

One of the most common issues you can encounter with both a manual or power liftgate is a lift cylinder or lift strut issue.

A lift cylinder is a slender tube with a piston rod. Each side of your liftgate has a lift cylinder to assist in raising or lowering the liftgate smoothly. In power liftgates, these cylinders work in conjunction with the power mechanism of the liftgate.

If you notice that your power liftgate does not extend fully, there might be something wrong with your lift cylinders. The liftgate can also fall unexpectedly once the mechanism fails.

Malfunctioning Power Hatch

The power hatch refers to the mechanism that powers your liftgate. The mechanism includes the power liftgate control module, wirings, electric motor, and fuses.

If you’re able to open or close your liftgate manually, the problem is most likely with the hatch or the electronic mechanism that powers your liftgate.

Check for clicking sounds when opening or closing the liftgate. A burning smell in the motor may also indicate an issue with the mechanism.

Don’t hesitate to take your ride to a trusted mechanic as soon as you notice one or more of these symptoms.

Bad Switch or Button

Is your power liftgate stuck closed? If your liftgate is not opening, the problem could be a faulty power liftgate switch. Dirt and debris can get inside the switch, causing it to malfunction.

Diagnosing a Power Liftgate Issue

If you’re experiencing power liftgate issues, the best course of action is to take your ride to a trusted mechanic for proper diagnosis and repair. However, if you’re a seasoned DIYer, and you’d like to try and diagnose the issue on your own, here are some of the things you can do:

Check Your Power Liftgate Button or Switch

If your power liftgate switch is located on your keyfob, try to press other buttons. If the other buttons aren’t functioning too, there might be an issue with your remote key.

If your vehicle has a switch on the dashboard or driver’s door panel, make sure that it’s activated. Check the power liftgate button for any signs of wear. If it’s indeed your switch or button that’s causing the issue, a trained professional can usually fix it or replace it with a new one.

Testing the Power Liftgate Switch With a Multimeter

If you have a multimeter, you can use it to test your liftgate switch. Make sure to set your multimeter to ohms.

The baseline reading of your multimeter should show 100% electrical resistance. After that, lightly touch one terminal of the switch’s electrical connector with one lead of the multimeter. Get the opposing terminal and make contact with the other lead.

While you’re holding the terminals, you can press the switch. If your switch is functioning properly, the reading must be a decimal number.

This section is only meant to give you an overview of the power liftgate switch test. If you want to proceed with testing your switch, make sure that you have the technical know-how and tools to get the job done. Otherwise, you can ask a trusted mechanic to do it for you.

Scan Your Liftgate Module Using a Scan Tool

If you have an OBD scan tool with you, you can use it to scan the liftgate module. An advanced scan tool will usually show you the possible reason why the liftgate failed and where to look for faults.

Check Fuses and Electrical Connectors

This one is a bit complicated to do. You’re going to need access to the fuse box located under the instrument panel on the passenger side. You’re also going to need to remove the liftgate panel to gain access to the electrical connectors.

If you don’t have the time or the necessary tools to do this, it’s best to have a professional do it for you.

Can I Manually Open a Power Liftgate?

Yes. Many vehicles with power liftgates include a manual release mechanism in case of a power failure. However, the exact steps for manually opening it may differ depending on your vehicle manufacturer.

Here’s how you can manually open a power liftgate on vehicles like the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave.

You’ll need a flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the trim plug from the liftgate’s interior panel. You’re also going to need a borescope to find where the release is. Once you find the release, press it with your screwdriver to open the hatch.

If you’re unsure about anything, do not proceed. You might damage the mechanism even more.

More On Power Liftgates and How To Use Them

There are different ways to activate or open your power liftgate depending on the vehicle that you own.

The most common one is pressing a liftgate button on your keyfob. Some power liftgate buttons are located inside the cabin—specifically on your dashboard or driver’s door panel. Some power liftgates use a hands-free motion sensor near the actual liftgate. If you’re not sure how your liftgate works, you can check your owner’s manual.

What Vehicles Have Power Liftgates?

Power liftgates are available in a wide range of vehicles across various segments. A lot of SUVs, crossovers, minivans, and even some large hatchback models are equipped with power liftgates.

Some popular SUVs with hands-free liftgates include the newer models of Toyota Sienna, Mazda CX-9, and Honda CR-V.