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        General >> Problems >> Permanently Locked Tailgate
        
(Message started by: brds on Dec 7^th, 2013, 4:33pm)

Title: Permanently Locked Tailgate
Post by brds on Dec 7^th, 2013, 4:33pm

My Tailgate is permanently locked. I'm getting a fault Code: B1551 - Liftgate release circuit short to ground. This seems reasonable in the circumstances.
Before I start pulling the tailgate apart and getting technical with wiring diagrams, has anybody else had the same fault?

Title: Re: Permanently Locked Tailgate
Post by Tompion on Dec 7^th, 2013, 4:55pm

Has the key ever worked? The estate may be different; with the saloon only the fob & the button rely on battery power to open the boot the key is purely mechanical. If the button is partly stuck in you won’t be able to turn the key so try working some WD40 around the button and pulling the button out with the key.

Title: Re: Permanently Locked Tailgate
Post by Simmo on Dec 8^th, 2013, 9:30am

The main difference with the Estate Tailgate is that,because of the design, it gets smothered in dirt all the time especially in the winter with road salt etc. Tompion is correct in that the first step is to soak it in WD40 and try and get a 'mechanical' movement on the button. The other thing to remember is that with the estate the wiring for the electrics in the tailgate passes through the rubber grommet in the top offside corner by the hinge. :) Equally you need to persevere with this approach as to reach the 'innards' you need to remove the cover inside and that is secured along the bottom of the tailgate apart from elesewhere. :)

Title: Re: Permanently Locked Tailgate
Post by brds on Dec 8^th, 2013, 12:48pm

Thanks Guys. A liberal application of WD40 and 3In1 fixed it.
The button was very stiff and I had to pull quite hard with the key - probably because the car was off the road for a year.
Fault code now cleared OK but could have been very misleading - sometimes we can get too technical.
Bob

Title: Re: Permanently Locked Tailgate
Post by Simmo on Dec 8^th, 2013, 1:59pm

Good to hear you are sorted Bob. Thanks for letting us know. It has often been said that these codes are all right BUT sometimes it doesn't actually tell you what is causing it!. The best example is the ABS system which says the motor is not functioning when actually, as Tompion discovered. it is a fautly soldered joint on the PCB causing a lack of power to the unit. ;) The motor is actually OK. :)

Title: Re: Permanently Locked Tailgate
Post by Tompion on Dec 8^th, 2013, 2:26pm

I often have up to 4 codes relating to the boot locking but I'm not aware of there having been a problem. I put it down to the fact I frequently lock the car before closing the boot.

Title: Re: Permanently Locked Tailgate
Post by georgeodyphotos on Dec 12^th, 2013, 3:05pm

Neither my 2.3 Ultima or my previous Cosworth ever allowed me to open the tailgate with the key. The buttons don't move either. They seem to be welded in position. I will try WD 40 and see what happens.