Rear Tailgate Won't Unlock

[vbrad26]

I searched the forum and didn't (couldn't) find anything relating to my problem.
It happened a few times off and on, despite the car being unlocked, the tailgate would stay locked.
But it would seem to correct itself. The Bronco is my wife's car, so I never experienced the issue till yesterday.
Earlier in the day, she told me it was not unlocking. We drove it to dinner so I could try it myself.
I suspected it was a proximity issue, but that does not appear to be the case.
With the car locked, I put my hand behind the tailgate handle like always, and the lights on the car come on, indicating that it recognized my hand being there.
But nothing. I'm assuming it is a latch issue? But just checking in with the forum to see if I'm just missing something stupid first before I really start digging into it.

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[Dan-O]

There are previous posts here with same problem and seems as though low battery was the problem. Could try using Fob to lock, then unlock and then lock again and then try using the proximity sensor to see if it works. But low battery has been culprit for many. Could check battery voltage with engine off, if it’s below 12.5 it could be the issue.

 

[vbrad26]

Yeah I did stumble across that but I don't recall anyone specifically saying that the lights would come on indicating that the thing was registering a hand being there.
I figured it wouldn't "sense" a hand at all and nothing would happen.
I'm not ruling it out though, because I do suspect my battery is on it's way out.
I have seen the "no key detected" message even when it is right there in the cup holder.
Auto stop/start has also not been working for a month or so.
So signs definitely are pointing to bad battery. But like I said I just didn't recall any posts stating that the car was still registering a hand being there, but not being able to unlock. I just assumed nothing was happening at all.
It also does not matter if you click buttons on the fob or not. It just wont unlatch period, it seems.

 

[Brian_B]

For the proximity unlock (assuming you can still lock/unlock with the fob ok and it's just proximity) -- there are antennas in the rear behind the cargo panels to sense that you have the key with you. Usually loss of proximity unlock means one or both of those antennas has come unplugged. Often associated with recent subwoofer, tailgate lighting, or trailer package installations and the antenna just doesn't get plugged back in correctly, as they have to be unplugged to remove the trim panels.

 

[vbrad26]

Yeah saw that too. I just find it odd that when I grab the handle, the lights flash and come on as they would normally, but the tailgate will not unlock.
If something were disconnected, I'd imagine nothing at all would happen, no?
And again, using fob buttons does not unlock it either.

 

[Brian_B]

Yeah saw that too. I just find it odd that when I grab the handle, the lights flash and come on as they would normally, but the tailgate will not unlock.
If something were disconnected, I'd imagine nothing at all would happen, no?
And again, using fob buttons does not unlock it either.

If the fob won't unlock it too, then it's not an antenna issue. There's the small trim panel on the driver's side of the inside of the tailgate, where it bumps outward - the wiring harnesses for the tailgate are back there, and that wire runs along the tailgate and into the passenger side cargo panel (you can see the wire bundle wrapped in cloth near the hinges).

May not be a bad idea to just visually check that out, unplug all the connectors inside the tailgate and plug them back in, and make sure that cable bundle by the hinge didn't get folded up and pinched by tailgate or anything. No tools required for any of that, and that trim panel comes off fairly easily.

Past that, you're into some more involved troubleshooting. Depending on how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go, that may be the point where you involve the dealer, or start pulling up wiring diagrams to see if you have a bad locking mechanism or what not.

 

[vbrad26]

This is where my wife will tell me she wants a Defender.

 

[Brian_B]

This is where my wife will tell me she wants a Defender.

They are flashier, for sure. Take whatever issues you have with the Bronco, though, and multiply by four. JLR vehicles are notorious for issues.

I mean, not that Ford is doing all that great, especially this year... but at least they haven't had to halt all production due to a cyber attack.

 

[userdude]

but at least they haven't had to halt all production due to a cyber attack (yet??).

Jinx! Knocking on wood! Famous last words! Don't taze me bro!

 

[vbrad26]

Oh I'm quite familiar with Land Rover reliability first hand lol.
All jokes aside though I think some of it is blown out of proportion.
But somewhat ironically, I currently have a stuck tailgate on the Rover lol.
However that's a discussion for another thread....and once I get my tailgate(s) open again hah.

 

[contented]

I need to stand directly in front of tailgate handle for proximity unlock to work. If I stand back an arms length like I do at the front doors, it won’t unlock. Why, I have no clue.

 

[vbrad26]

Proximity functionality can be finicky. But I'm not sure that's my problem, as the car will recognize (by flashing lights) that my hand is there.
Which I'm assuming would NOT be happening if it were actually a proximity issue.

 

[contented]

Proximity functionality can be finicky. But I'm not sure that's my problem, as the car will recognize (by flashing lights) that my hand is there.
Which I'm assuming would NOT be happening if it were actually a proximity issue.

I agree w/ you. Didn’t read your original post closely enough. Hope you get it figured out.

 

[Peitnahtan]

I searched the forum and didn't (couldn't) find anything relating to my problem.
It happened a few times off and on, despite the car being unlocked, the tailgate would stay locked.
But it would seem to correct itself. The Bronco is my wife's car, so I never experienced the issue till yesterday.
Earlier in the day, she told me it was not unlocking. We drove it to dinner so I could try it myself.
I suspected it was a proximity issue, but that does not appear to be the case.
With the car locked, I put my hand behind the tailgate handle like always, and the lights on the car come on, indicating that it recognized my hand being there.
But nothing. I'm assuming it is a latch issue? But just checking in with the forum to see if I'm just missing something stupid first before I really start digging into it.

I had an issue with this last year, I had to mess around with the plastic piece.

 

[vbrad26]

I had an issue with this last year, I had to mess around with the plastic piece.

What plastic piece? The one that @Brian_B mentioned?
Pop that off and take a peek in there?
I Just need to crawl my ass back there I guess and poke around lol

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