Electronic tailgate release not working properly

JAMES BASQUE

MEMBER
2005 DODGE CARAVAN
3.3L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

My van wont release the tailgate using the electronic button on the back of the tailgate. It has worked before but just suddenly stopped. I did some research and then took, the handle apart and cleaned all the metal contacts and reinstalled it, still not working. I am not hearing any sort of audible click. The key still works to open it but would rather have the handle function again. Is there any fuses or anything for it that could cause it to stop working?

It should also be noted that the tailgate isn't power open. Just the switch to open it is electronic.

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,573 POSTS

Welcome back. From your description it sounds like you have a broken wire to the switch. They fail normally in the area where the rear hatch wiring enters the body. The flexing every time the hatch opens/closes bends them enough that they fail. The switch signal wire is a tan/dark green wire. The ground wire is a black/light green wire. This system works by the switch grounding and sending that signal to the BCM which then sends the power back to the unlock solenoid and it clicks to release the hatch. I would open the harness and look for the broken wire(s).