rear gate lock/unlock switch not working

[username]

hey folks,
my rear gate lock/unlock switch is on the fritz. it will unlock but the lock function won't work and it's mildly annoying. anybody had this problem before? know what to do about it?
cheers
tim

[Jungle Jon]

Hi Tim,

My switch is dirty or something, I usually have to tap it a few times until I hear it lock or unlock.

I vaguely remember a post on the UK site where someone took apart their switch to clean the contacts, might be worth a look there. He had trouble because the springs popped out when he opened it up and had to search on his hands and knees.

Sorry I couldn't help more!

Jon

[username]

that's a start, thanks jon.

[Adrock]

mine wouldn't unlock when i was in really cold weather... just the gate not the slider. it was strange. doesn't sound like your problem though. I'd clean contacts.

[torchard]

Question: Is the interior light normally (if there is a norm w/ these rides!) switched with the liftgate? I ask because 1) I have seen the interior fluourescent briefly flicker when closing the gate, and 2) the other night the fluorescent light, step light, and "door open" dash light indicator all lit up intermittently as I was driving. When I locked the liftgate via the dash switch these issues ceased. I'm thinking it is either an odd grounding issue or it's switched somehow - a brief inspection (in the dark) found no switch.

Thoughts?

(Regardless, I bought a $10 stick-up push-on Sylvania LED light from Can Tire which I stuck overtop the rear cargo area.)

Thanks,

--T

[Adrock]

mine turns on sometimes with my gate... open door light always comes on if the gate is not fully closed.

[delicanuck]

Hi Tim,

Yep, mine is the same. It will lock from the front but not unlock. It hasn't been a big issue for me but I do think I should fix it... you know... someday... when everything else in my world is fixed. Strangely, my dome lights also only flickers and only sometimes when I open the rear door. I suppose it could all be related if the problem were in the wiring harness, right at the hinge point. My old Chevy ass-hole van had the same problem with the electric side windows. Sheesh though, I don't need to add anything to my do-do list right now. If anyone figures this out before me, please post! And hey Tim, if you are going to get busy on this and you don't have all the tools, I probably do, and a drive way too!

[Green1]

the crystal-lite fluorescent tube, as well as the side door step lamp, and dash indicator all light up when the tailgate is open (assuming everything is in working order)
I did have my tailgate a little loose for a while and it took me FOREVER to figure out why the lights kept flickering on inside... closed the tailgate properly and no problems since...

I have also since installed override switches at each door so that when camping I can leave a door open for as long as I want without draining the batteries

[torchard]

The overhead light doesn't come on although the dash indicator does. Is there a switch back there or is this grounded when opened?

--T

the crystal-lite fluorescent tube, as well as the side door step lamp, and dash indicator all light up when the tailgate is open (assuming everything is in working order)
I did have my tailgate a little loose for a while and it took me FOREVER to figure out why the lights kept flickering on inside... closed the tailgate properly and no problems since...

I have also since installed override switches at each door so that when camping I can leave a door open for as long as I want without draining the batteries

[Green1]

The overhead light doesn't come on although the dash indicator does. Is there a switch back there or is this grounded when opened?

the switch grounds the circuit, so any ground will cause the same problem, you say the crystal-lite doesn't come on, but it won't if it is switched off, look at the side step light to see if the lights are on (and ensure the crystal-lite is set to on, also being a fluorescent tube it takes a second to warm up, so a quick jolt won't do it)
if none of those come on, and the dash indicator (little red picture of a car with the doors open) still comes on, check the front doors, (again look at the lights on the doors themselves rather than the roof light as it can be turned off)

there could still be a ground somewhere else in the system, but if it's not at a switch then you'll be spending a lot of time tracing wires....

[torchard]

where is the liftgate switch located? I can't find it.

--T

The overhead light doesn't come on although the dash indicator does. Is there a switch back there or is this grounded when opened?

the switch grounds the circuit, so any ground will cause the same problem, you say the crystal-lite doesn't come on, but it won't if it is switched off, look at the side step light to see if the lights are on (and ensure the crystal-lite is set to on, also being a fluorescent tube it takes a second to warm up, so a quick jolt won't do it)
if none of those come on, and the dash indicator (little red picture of a car with the doors open) still comes on, check the front doors, (again look at the lights on the doors themselves rather than the roof light as it can be turned off)

there could still be a ground somewhere else in the system, but if it's not at a switch then you'll be spending a lot of time tracing wires....

[Green1]

where is the liftgate switch located? I can't find it.

it is on the liftgate itself, in the latch mechanism.

[torchard]

excellent - thanks!

where is the liftgate switch located? I can't find it.

it is on the liftgate itself, in the latch mechanism.

[josh]

I have also since installed override switches at each door so that when camping I can leave a door open for as long as I want without draining the batteries

Did you ever take some pics when you did that?

Josh

[Green1]

As the general consensus appears to be that I do not know what I'm talking about, and cause more harm than good, I am removing this post so that others are not tricked in to following my ill-advised instructions.