I have an 02 FX4 that was bought used therefore have no owners manual. This may be stupid but my tailgate locks frequently on its own! I have found no pattern as to why or when it does it. It will simply lock occasionaly whenever. Maybe I am doing something I do not know that triggers it but it is really annoying! Anyone out there help me out...I'd appreciate it!

 

Unlock it. No, seriously, I dont think there is anything you can do short of changing out the whole latch deal. You could try to lubricate it and see if that helps. This is a common problem, but has never afflicted me.

 

Thanks...but it is not a matter of it getting stuck! The tailgate has a an actual lock on it as you probably know that you lock/unlock with your key. It locks on its own with no way of knowing when/why it is doing it! Anyone heard of this!

 

Ford Special Service Message 16835 says.....

1997-2003 F-150, 2001-2003 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND 1999-2003 F SERIES SUPER DUTY - UNCOMMANDED LOCKING TAILGATE
SOME 1997-2003 F-150, 2001-2003 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND 1999-2003 F SERIES SUPER DUTY EQUIPPED WITH A LOCKING TAILGATE MAY EXHIBIT THE TAILGATE LOCKING BY ITSELF WHEN SLAMMED SHUT OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN OVER ROUGH ROADS. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE USED TO INSTALL THE TAILGATE RELEASE HANDLE (TAILGATE LATCH REMOTE CONTROL) TO THE TAILGATE. TO SERVICE, REMOVE THE HANDLE PER THE F-150 WORKSHOP MANUAL, SECTION 501-14 (HANDLES, LOCKS, LATCHES AND ENTRY SYSTEMS). DO NOT REPLACE THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY. REINSTALL THE REMOVED ASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLE TO THE TAILGATE PER THE WORKSHOP MANUAL INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. MAKE SURE THAT THE LOCK IS IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION WHEN REASSEMBLING. THIS STEP IS VERY CRITICAL TO INSURE THAT SAME SYMPTOM DOES NOT RE-OCCUR.

 

Racerguy...I appreciate this info. Where did you find this posted??? Thanks...

 

Or as well...where may I find the F-150 Workshop Manual that is mentioned in the message so I can attemp this procedure!

 

I'm a tech at a dealer so I have access to info like that.
You probably wont need a manual to do the repair. You need to remove the cover over the linkage on the back of the tailgate and then you can see the lock etc.
The important part is to make sure the lock is unlocked when reassembling.

 

My tailgate wouldn't lock so I srayed alot of wd40 in the key hole and haven't had a problem since.

 

Or you can always go the option of installing an electric actuator to the lock so when you hit the button on your remote the second time, not only does it unlock the passenger side, it also unlocks the tailgate.

 

BillyBob...will prob opt to just try the fix it yourself as stated above. Although, Ive never looked into this electric actuator, heard of them, but about how much do they run..do you know??? Thanks...

 

Here is the first place I found with them. But they are not the only ones.
http://www.slickcar.com/productdetai...ProductID=2425

Do a search on the net for POWER TAILGATE LOCK FORD and you will find other places that sell them too.