Tailgate malfunction

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Sep 18, 2018 | 08:23 AM

#16

jergle

Mountain Pass

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 169

Likes: 7

Y'all are making me smile every time I open my manual tailgate! It just isn't that difficult. Push button tailgates sound like a solution in search of a problem.

Sep 18, 2018 | 09:40 AM

#17

delorenzomp

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 817

Likes: 18

Qs : (A) does the connector in question (drying/greasing) control anything other than the tailgate? (B) Can the connector be 'disabled' with the tailgate being opened manually? (C) Does this 'power' tailgate come on the XL version? ...also, one unrelated question, does the truck start with a traditional key (or the keyless pushbutton) ? Thank you.

Sep 18, 2018 | 10:04 AM

#18

Mlambert22

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 166

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by jergle

Y'all are making me smile every time I open my manual tailgate! It just isn't that difficult. Push button tailgates sound like a solution in search of a problem.

you are exactly right, I'm waiting for the time that my tailgate either wont go down or goes down on top of something and smashes them both..

Sep 18, 2018 | 06:39 PM

#19

VoodooRob

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 128

Likes: 4

2017 F350 6.7 My connectors are on drivers side behind spare tire. In reality one connector is for the tailgate one is for the camera, stuff both full of dilectric grease. Both plugs were full of water and starting corroding a couple weeks into ownership.

Sep 18, 2018 | 06:55 PM

#20

delorenzomp

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 817

Likes: 18

An added, although possibly redundant, step is to ( after cleaning, drying, dielectric greasing) coat the joint with StarBrite Liquid Electrical Tape. It is an anazong product for such outdoor applications.

Sep 18, 2018 | 07:01 PM

#21

cficare

Logistics Pro

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 3,529

Likes: 390

From: SEVA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blwnsmoke

A simple fix would be that if the truck is not in park, the tailgate is disabled electronically from opening.

I like it. Now if we can convince Ford to offer a reflash with that algorithm. I'd be happy if the tailgate would open only when the engine is not running.

Sep 19, 2018 | 04:56 AM

#22

rwilimo

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,339

Likes: 5

From: NJ

Dielectric grease while being a great product will not fix this long term, if you are having water entry why not have the dealer install the updated parts so you have along term proper repair?

Sep 19, 2018 | 05:32 AM

#23

delorenzomp

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 817

Likes: 18

rwilimo, is there a TSB on the subject?

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Sep 19, 2018 | 06:01 AM

#24

rwilimo

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,339

Likes: 5

From: NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by delorenzomp

rwilimo, is there a TSB on the subject?

I do not have the number handy but yes there is, it calls for complete main harness replacement and any damaged pigtails in the rear.

Sep 19, 2018 | 07:48 AM

#25

delorenzomp

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 817

Likes: 18

That is good to know, thanks

Sep 19, 2018 | 04:46 PM

#26

VoodooRob

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 128

Likes: 4

TSB production dates did not cover my model. Dealer had the truck and could not duplicate the problem so no issue found according to them. Its on me to fix a 1 month old truck with a tailgate dropping when the harness gets wet. Dilectric then seal the plugs is going to last a long time, 100% fixed my problem.

Sep 21, 2018 | 02:10 AM

#27

hobbie1

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 472

Likes: 24

From: Brentwood CA

I have had this occur a few times on my 2018. I tested by trying to trigger the tailgate while moving and standstill when not in park. It will not open. I'm pretty sure that both times that the tailgate opened my thumb bumped the button on the dash when releasing the parking brake. I plan to go in and disconnect that switch as I have no reason to use it. I open the tailgate with the button on the tailgate and or two clicks of the remote.