Power Tailgate

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2021 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Power Open

The power tailgate power open operation begins when:

the RGTM detects the front power tailgate switch is activated.
the RGTM detects the rear exterior tailgate release switch is activated.
the RGTM receives a message from the BCM (indicating a request from a programmed RKE transmitter).

Once the RGTM receives an open request, the power tailgate opens by carrying out the following:

The RGTM checks the gear selector lever position and vehicle speed status from the messages received.
The RGTM disables the power tailgate feature under the following condition.
- If the gear selector lever not in Park position.
- If the vehicle speed is greater than 4km/h.
The RGTM supplies power to the unlatch motors, releasing the tailgate latches.
The RGTM monitors the tailgate ajar state (upon power release, latch pawl switch closes, and forkbolt primary switch opens to indicate latch is fully released from striker).
When the RGTM detects the power tailgate latches are fully unlatched, it supplies power to the drive motor, opening the power tailgate.
While the power tailgate is opening, the RGTM monitors the tailgate motor position sensor for tailgate position and velocity. If an obstruction is detected, the RGTM stops and reverses the tailgate motor.
When the power tailgate reaches the full open position, the RGTM removes the power from the drive motor.

If any of the power tailgate switches is activated or a double press of the button on a RKE transmitter occurs during a power open, the tailgate stops and reverses the direction. The tailgate does not hold its position during opening and closing if an obstruction is detected or any of the switches are operated.

If the doors were not previously electronically unlocked when the rear exterior tailgate release switch is pressed, the BCM activates the tailgate passive entry feature. If the BCM detects a valid programmed passive key, the BCM sends a message to the RGTM to open the tailgate when the rear exterior tailgate release switch is pressed. If no passive key is detected, the request is ignored and the tailgate will not open upon pressing the rear exterior tailgate release switch. If the doors were previously electronically unlocked when the tailgate release switch is pressed, the RGTM opens the tailgate. The RGTM receives the door lock/unlock status from the BCM over the CAN. Any subsequent presses of the switch reverses direction of the tailgate motor.

Power Close

The power tailgate power close operation begins when:

the RGTM detects the front power tailgate switch is pressed.
the RGTM detects the rear exterior power tailgate switch is pressed.
the RGTM receives a message from the BCM (indicating a request from a programmed RKE transmitter).

Once the close request is received, the power tailgate closes by carrying out the following:

The RGTM checks the gear selector lever position, tailgate step deployment status and vehicle speed status from the messages received.
The RGTM starts an audible chime via the audio system only when operated by the RKE or the IPC switch.
The RGTM supplies power to the drive motor.
While the power tailgate is closing, the RGTM monitors the power tailgate motor position sensor (for tailgate position and velocity). If an obstruction is detected, the power tailgate stops and reverses and sounds a chime via the audio system.
The RGTM monitors the tailgate ajar state.
When the RGTM detects the latch has engaged the striker (switches in the latch changing state), power is supplied to the cinching motors to pull the tailgate into the primary latch position and power is removed from the tailgate drive motor.
When the RGTM detects the primary latch position has been reached (tailgate is fully closed), the RGTM reverses the direction of the cinching motors until the home switches indicates a start position. If any of the power tailgate switches are activated or the button on the RKE transmitter is double pressed during a power close, the tailgate stops and reverses its direction.
If any of the power tailgate switches are activated or the button on the RKE transmitter is double pressed during a power open, the tailgate will reverse close from any gate position greater than 15 deg. open. All user inputs are ignored when the gate is less than 15 deg. open and power opening.

If any of the power tailgate switches are activated or the button on the RKE transmitter is double pressed during a power close, the tailgate stops and reverses its direction.

NOTE: The power tailgate may not operate correctly under the following conditions:

Excessive weight (such as snow or ice) is present on the tailgate.
A low voltage or drained battery.
A disconnected battery.

Lift-to-Close

The tailgate will close automatically if the tailgate is lifted by approximately 10 deg. and held for a few seconds. The power tailgate motor will take over and complete the tailgate close operation.

NOTE: If the tailgate position is more than halfway between open and close, it may not close automatically.

NOTE: The RGTM monitors the tailgate step position and the power tailgate function will not work for at least 30 seconds if the tailgate step is deployed.

Power Tailgate Chime

The power tailgate chime provides audible warnings to the operator. The power tailgate chime is sounded using the audio system and the RGTM internal chime. The RGTM sends messages over the CAN to the APIM when requesting the chime to sound over the audio system.

Heat Protection

The power tailgate motor and the tailgate latch motors are protected from over-temperature conditions using a software algorithm which calculates motor temperature. The system calculates the temperature and when it passes a set threshold, the function of the tailgate motor and tailgate latch motors is inhibited until the temperature decreases below the set threshold. If the tailgate is already in motion when over-temperature occurs, it will first complete the motion and then be inhibited from starting another operation. The same logic applies for cinching or unlatching.