Power Tailgate System Description

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Basic Operation

OPEN: The power tailgate can be opened by operating the driver's power tailgate switch, tailgate outer handle switch, hands free access function, or the remote under the following conditions:

The Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode or P position/mode.
The vehicle speed is less than 1.2 mph (2 km/h).
The power tailgate closer unit detects the ratchet switch is ON, and full latch switch and half latch switch are OFF (full-closed position).
The power tailgate closer unit detects the ratchet switch, full latch switch, and half latch switch are ON (except full-closed position).
The system is not in fail-safe mode.
The battery voltage (VBU) is more than 11 V.
The battery voltage (VBU) is less than 16 V.
The thermal protection is not active.
Previous actuation: CLOSE operated.
When programmable height function is completed (when the programmable height function is enable).
All door's lock knob switches are in UNLOCK.* 1
Driver's door lock knob switch is in UNLOCKED.* 2
The security system is not set.* 3
The driver's power tailgate button is pressed.* 3
The remote is not in the vehicle.* 6
The power tailgate button on remote is pressed.* 4
The tailgate outer handle switch is pressed.* 5
The hands free access power tailgate control unit/sensor detects kick motion.* 6

*1: With selectable unlock

*2: Without selectable unlock

*3: Driver's power tailgate switch operation

*4: Remote operation

*5: Tailgate outer handle switch operation

*6: Hands free access operation (with hands free access power tailgate)

CLOSE: The power tailgate can be closed by operating the driver's power tailgate switch, the power tailgate inside switch, hands free access function, or the remote under the following conditions:

The tailgate is fully open.
The system is not in fail-safe mode.
Previous actuation: OPEN operated.
The pinch sensor detects no obstruction.
The battery voltage (VBU) is more than 11 V.
The battery voltage (VBU) is less than 16 V.
The power tailgate closer unit detects the neutral switch is OFF.
The power tailgate closer unit detects the ratchet switch is OFF, and full latch switch and half latch switch are ON.
The thermal protection is not active.
The power tailgate motor rotation is less than 100 rps.
When programmable height function is completed (when the programmable height function is enable).
The driver's power tailgate switch is pressed.* 1
The vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode.* 2
The power tailgate button on remote is pressed.* 2
The power tailgate inside switch is pressed and held for 3 seconds.* 3
The hands free access power tailgate control unit/sensor detects kick motion.* 4

*1: Driver's power tailgate switch operation

*2: Remote operation

*3: Power tailgate outer inside switch operation

*4: Hands free access operation (with hands free access power tailgate)

Closer Retraction Operation

When the operation switch is operated again while the closer motor is operating, the closer motor stops its operation.

Pinching Detection Control

When something is pinched (hit) during the open/close operation of the power tailgate, pinching is detected and the motor of the drive unit is stopped to reverse the rotation. There are two types of detection methods, the direct detection method and the indirect detection method.

1. Direct Detection Method (Pinch Sensor Detection)

In this method, the change in the internal resistance due to oppression of the pinch sensor during the auto close operation is detected to determine the existence of pinching.

2. Indirect Detection Method

Pulse detection (Overload detection) In this method, the change in the pulse width output from the pulse sensor during the auto open/close operation is detected to determine the existence of pinching.
Current detection In this method, the change in the load calculated value from the power tailgate motor current during the auto open/close operation is detected to determine the existence of pinching.

Power Tailgate Open/Close Speed Control

The power tailgate open/close speeds are detected from the pulse signals of the pulse sensor and, based on the open/close position of the tailgate, the speed control is carried out to follow the preset target speed.

Beeper Sound Function

The beeper sound function activates the beeper sound when the operation is stopped, pinching is detected, the close operation is performed while the vehicle speed is detected, the auto operation is carried out while the door fall prevention function, etc. There are some beeper sound patterns as shown below.

Warning sound (1)

When the tailgate starts to open automatically (excluding when operate the tailgate outer handle switch)
When the tailgate starts to close automatically

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Warning sound (2)

When the reverse operation is started after the tailgate has detected any obstruction
When the pinch sensor on mode is detected while the tailgate is closing automatically
When the vehicle speed exceeds 1.2 mph (2 km/h) while the tailgate is opening automatically
When the fail-safe mode is detected while the tailgate is operating automatically
When the operating time is over
When the following release conditions are met when the power tailgate closer unit is operating:
- -
  The pinch sensor ON is detected.
- -
  Failsafe of the pinch sensor is detected.
When the retry close operation when the power tailgate closer unit is operating
When programmable height registration is failed

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Warning sound (3)

When the vehicle speed exceeds 1.2 mph (2 km/h) while the tailgate is closing automatically

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The buzzer sound is stopped when the following conditions are met:

When the full latch switch OFF and the latchet switch ON are detected.
Vehicle speed of 1 mph (2 km/h) or less is detected.
Close operation is stopped.

Warning sound (4)

When the tailgate fall-down detection function is activated. (Closing operation when the tailgate fall-down detection function is activated or after second inspection.)

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The buzzer sound is stopped when the following conditions are met.

When the full latch switch OFF or the half latch switch OFF is detected.
Fall-down detection operation is stopped.

Warning sound (5)

When the tailgate is not fully-latched, and the following condition is met: The transmission is any position other than P position/mode, and brake pedal position switch and parking brake switch is OFF, and the vehicle speed exceeds 1.2 mph (2 km/h).

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

The buzzer sound is stopped when the following conditions are met.

31 cycles buzzer sound is completed.
Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode.
When the full latch switch OFF and the latchet switch ON is detected.
Vehicle speed is 1 mph (2 km/h) or below and the ATP-P or the foot brake and the parking brake is ON.

Warning sound (6)

When the tailgate starts to open automatically with operate the tailgate outer handle switch*

*: The conditions may vary depending on the customized settings.

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Warning sound (7)

When the tailgate open manually with operate the tailgate outer handle switch*
When programmable height registration is completed

*: The conditions may vary depending on the customized settings.

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Door Fall Prevention Function

This function prevents the tailgate from suddenly falling down because of an accumulation of snow, or other causes. If the pulser in the drive unit detects abnormal pulses, the tailgate starts to open. If this operation is activated twice, the tailgate will close automatically. If the obstruction detection function detects any obstruction several times during this fall-down detection function, the tailgate stops moving.

Power Assist Function

When the tailgate is opened manually, the power tailgate motor assists in opening the tailgate through the pulse width modulation (PWM) control. The system changes the assisting amount in accordance with the tailgate position, opening speed, and ambient temperature, and this function is turned off after 15 seconds from the activation.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Power Tailgate Stop and Hold Function

When a switch is operated during auto open/close operation, the system stops the auto operation. Then, if the tailgate is in the holdable range, the system holds the tailgate position with the power tailgate motor and tailgate support strut. When another switch is operated during holding the tailgate, the system moves the tailgate in the opposite direction from that of the previous tailgate operation.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Programmable Height Function

The highest tailgate position during auto open operation can be set by opening the tailgate to the height of the user's preference and pressing and holding the power tailgate switch for 3 seconds. When the registration is properly completed, a buzzer sounds. The tailgate position is detected by a sensor built in the power tailgate drive unit. However, in case of the register operation continues for 60 seconds, it is judged as power tailgate inside switch failure and the register operation is invalidated.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Thermal Protection

The power tailgate control unit monitors the calorific value using the ambient temperature measured by the thermistor and the power tailgate motor current value, and sets up the limit number of times for the AUTO operation before the system damage occurs. When constant pulse count value is input within addition time from after each AUTO operation, 1 is added to the number of times for operations, and when subtraction time lapses, 1 is subtracted from the number of times for operations. But the AUTO operation within subtraction time is not added to the number of times for operations. Also, when the calorific value caused by the power tailgate motor current value exceeds the specified value, the limit number of times corresponding to the ambient temperature is set up to maximum, and the AUTO operation does not operate during the subtraction time.

When the thermal protection activates, alert sound will beep and AUTO operation will be cancelled. In the event AUTO operation is cancelled, it will only accept MANUAL operation. AUTO operation will restore after a certain period of time when the thermal protection is released.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Ambient Temperature	Cycle Limit	Increment Time	Decrement Time
122 deg.F (50 deg.C) or more	10 times	45 sec.	120 sec.
95 deg.F (35 deg.C) or more and less than 122 deg.F (50 deg.C)	15 times	45 sec.	80 sec.
Less than 95 deg.F (35 deg.C)	20 times	45 sec.	60 sec.

Hands Free Access Power Tailgate Function

When the start conditions of power tailgate are met on regardless of the door/tailgate locked state, opening and closing the tailgate can be done by putting in and out motion of the foot under the rear bumper. The capacitance sensors detects the user's motion, and output the ON/OFF signal to the power tailgate control unit and body control module. The body control module detects remote within the detective range of rear bumper LF antenna, and transmits it to the power tailgate control unit. When only both the capacitance sensors signal and smart entry function signal are established, the power tailgate control unit operates opening and closing, or stopping the tailgate.

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Failsafe Function

A malfunction among the sensors, the switches, or the control units cancels the function of power tailgate as a failsafe. At the same time, the warning message on the gauge control module comes on.