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2001 Ford Windstar Limited with same exact problem.2001 Ford Windstar Limited with same exact problem.
AnonymousMar 29, 2014
The rear lift gate opens normally, but after about five seconds it closes automatically.The rear lift gate opens normally, but after about five seconds it closes automatically.
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There is a wire attached to the lock or you have a door switch in the frame that is a push in type they've failed or the wire broke off the lock inside the door or the frame switch so there is no ground when closed so the ajar warning is activated and will not stop till it is grounded so look for the push in switch first if none take a close look at the rear door lock
So I had the same problem. My lift gate was secured but I would still get the ajar warning. First I had to determine if it was the back glass that was causing the ajar warning or the actual liftgate itself. Both seemed to be functioning properly. I opened the back glass and manually forced the lock without the glass being down. With the lock forced in a locked position I did not get any errors. I did this stationary by the way and just put the vehicle in drive. So no error from the glass I assumed the problem had to be with the liftgate latch itself. I removed the tailgate panel to look at the guts of the tailgate. I ordered a new liftgate latch from lasco ford for around 80 bucks. Installed the new latch assembly and problem solved. Fairly easy to do overall. Hope this helps the next person.
There are 2 switchs one each for the left and right liftgate latch, u must detrim the liftgate to replace them, they stick and cause your problem, replace the courtesy light switches on both latches.
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The rear hatch locking is computer contolled .
The BCM also runs diagnostics on the liftgate lock relay control circuit and will set DTC B3825 as current and also send a Class 2 message to the DIC. The DIC will display REPLACE LIFTGATE FUSE to inform the driver that a fault has been detected in the liftgate lock circuit and that the liftgate is not locked. Faults that will set the DTC and cause the DIC to display the message could be any of the following:
• An open ECC fuse
• An open or short to ground in the liftgate lock relay battery positive voltage circuit
• A faulty liftgate lock relay
• An open or short to ground in the liftgate lock relay control circuit
• A short to ground in the liftgate lock actuator lock control circuit
• A faulty BCM
The liftgate lock relay supply and coil sides receive a constant voltage through the battery voltage supply circuit and the ECC fuse. The normally closed contact is connected to ground and the control side is connected to the body control module (BCM). A lock function will occur when a door lock switch activation, keyless entry lock transmission, auto door lock function or a liftgate lock function has been received by the BCM. The BCM will then ground the control side of the liftgate lock relay. This energizes the relay and allows voltage to be applied to the liftgate lock actuator lock control circuit. Since the other side of the liftgate lock actuator is connected to the normally closed contacts of the door unlock relay to ground, the liftgate will lock. When an unlock function occurs the BCM will ground the control side of the unlock relay and the rear doors and liftgate will unlock.
The power door lock system consists of the following components:
• The driver door module (DDM)
• The passenger door module (PDM)
• The body control module (BCM)
• The driver information center (DIC)
• The rear door lock switch
• The door lock relay
• The door unlock relay
• The liftgate lock relay--utility vehicles with liftgate only
• The reversible door lock actuators in each of the doors and liftgate
• LOCKS 20A fuse (rear lock/unlock relay supply voltage)
• ECC 10A fuse (liftgate lock relay supply voltage)
If i were to guess i would say you mite need a new lock actuator , but i don't guess . You could take the hatch inside panel off an check for B+ voltage for the lock actuation as someone pushes the switch . Or have it checked for codes .
Unless you have electrical diagnostic skills , I suggest you take this to the dealer ! The lift gate can be opened by operating the switch on the instrument panel. Battery voltage is supplied to the liftgate actuator through the body control module (BCM). The BCM will pulse the lift gate actuator when a release input is received through the key fob, or the instrument panel switch.
The body control module (BCM) receives an input from the liftgate ajar assembly. The ajar assembly is normally open when the liftgate is fully closed. When the liftgate is opened, the ajar assembly contacts close providing a path to ground. The driver information center (DIC) illuminates the rear access open message when the gate is open. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) receives a serial data message from the BCM indicating the liftgate ajar status. If this message is displayed and the vehicle speed is greater than 8 km/h (5 mph), a chime will sound.
It could be ajar switch is bad .
There is a known TSB for this....
#07-08-52-003: Rear Liftgate Glass May Not Lock When Using Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)/Key Fob Transmitter/Door Lock Switch, Lifgtate Hatch or Liftgate Glass May Lock/Unlock When Rear Liftgate Glass Button Depressed - (Sep 13, 2007)
Subject: Rear Liftgate Glass May Not Lock When Using Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), Key Fob Transmitter or Door Lock Switch, And/Or Liftgate Hatch Or Liftgate Glass May Lock Then Unlock When Rear Liftgate Glass Button is Depressed (Reposition Lock Cylinder Wave Washer and Adjust Lock Rod)
Models: 2005-2007 Buick Rainier
2005-2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT, TrailBlazer SS
2005-2008 GMC Envoy, Envoy XL, Envoy Denali
2005-2008 Saab 9-7X
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do This
Don't Do This
Reposition liftgate lock cylinder wave washer and adjust lock rod.
DO NOT replace the liftgate latch or actuator.
Condition
Some customers may comment on one or more of the following conditions:
• The rear liftgate glass may not lock when using the remote keyless entry (RKE), key fob transmitter or door lock switch unless the lock is pressed a second time.
• The rear liftgate or glass locks, but may be unlocked when the rear liftgate lock cylinder button is depressed.
• The rear liftgate locks but the liftgate glass may not lock.
Cause
These conditions may be caused by one or all of the following:
• The rear liftgate cylinder lock rod may be out of adjustment.
• The wave washer on the liftgate lock cylinder may be out of position with the cup side down.
• Excessive movement or slack in the lock rods at the liftgate bell crank assembly.
• The liftgate lock cylinder pawl may contact the rear liftgate glass latch when the lock cylinder button is depressed.
Correction
Important: Do Not remove the rear liftgate lock cylinder from the vehicle to perform this repair.
Reposition the rear liftgate lock cylinder wave washer and adjust the lock rod using the steps below.
Verify the customer's condition.
Open the liftgate.
Remove the upper liftgate garnish molding.
Remove the rear liftgate trim panel.
Remove the cylinder lock rod from the threaded lock rod retaining clip.
Tip
Place the tip of a screwdriver blade into the opening of the C-clip and slowly rotate the screwdriver to pry out the C-clip from the shaft. Then use needle-nose pliers to remove the C-clip.
Remove the C-clip from the rear liftgate lock cylinder push button and remove the wave washer.
Install the wave washer with the cup side up.
Position the wave washer with the curved edges of the wave spring parallel to the tabs on the lock cylinder shaft.
Important: Use needle-nose pliers to slightly squeeze the C-clip back into shape. Make sure the clip seated, you should feel a snap and hear an audible click.
Install the C-clip onto the shaft and in the slot using needle nose pliers. Then rotate the pawl several times to make sure the C-clip does not rotate. If the clip rotates then the clip is not fully seated.
Position the lock cylinder pawl to the full clockwise position.
Pull up on the cylinder lock rod to remove any slack in the bell crank.
Install the cylinder lock rod into the threaded lock rod retaining clip while removing any slack from the lock rod linkage.
Close the lock rod retainer clip.
Close the liftgate assembly.
Open the liftgate glass while keeping the liftgate closed.
Use the key fob to cycle the liftgate to the lock and unlock position while inspecting the rear liftgate pawl. The lock cylinder pawl should have clearance between the latch as shown above. If the pawl is contacting the latch, readjust the cylinder lock rod.
Verify that the customer's condition has been corrected.
#07-08-52-003: Rear Liftgate Glass May Not Lock When Using Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)/Key Fob Transmitter/Door Lock Switch, Lifgtate Hatch or Liftgate Glass May Lock/Unlock When Rear Liftgate Glass Button Depressed - (Sep 13, 2007)
Subject: Rear Liftgate Glass May Not Lock When Using Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), Key Fob Transmitter or Door Lock Switch, And/Or Liftgate Hatch Or Liftgate Glass May Lock Then Unlock When Rear Liftgate Glass Button is Depressed (Reposition Lock Cylinder Wave Washer and Adjust Lock Rod)
Models: 2005-2007 Buick Rainier
2005-2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT, TrailBlazer SS
2005-2008 GMC Envoy, Envoy XL, Envoy Denali
2005-2008 Saab 9-7X
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do This
Don't Do This
Reposition liftgate lock cylinder wave washer and adjust lock rod.
DO NOT replace the liftgate latch or actuator.
Condition
Some customers may comment on one or more of the following conditions:
• The rear liftgate glass may not lock when using the remote keyless entry (RKE), key fob transmitter or door lock switch unless the lock is pressed a second time.
• The rear liftgate or glass locks, but may be unlocked when the rear liftgate lock cylinder button is depressed.
• The rear liftgate locks but the liftgate glass may not lock.
Cause
These conditions may be caused by one or all of the following:
• The rear liftgate cylinder lock rod may be out of adjustment.
• The wave washer on the liftgate lock cylinder may be out of position with the cup side down.
• Excessive movement or slack in the lock rods at the liftgate bell crank assembly.
• The liftgate lock cylinder pawl may contact the rear liftgate glass latch when the lock cylinder button is depressed.
Correction
Important: Do Not remove the rear liftgate lock cylinder from the vehicle to perform this repair.
Reposition the rear liftgate lock cylinder wave washer and adjust the lock rod using the steps below.
Verify the customer's condition.
Open the liftgate.
Remove the upper liftgate garnish molding.
Remove the rear liftgate trim panel.
Remove the cylinder lock rod from the threaded lock rod retaining clip.
Tip
Place the tip of a screwdriver blade into the opening of the C-clip and slowly rotate the screwdriver to pry out the C-clip from the shaft. Then use needle-nose pliers to remove the C-clip.
Remove the C-clip from the rear liftgate lock cylinder push button and remove the wave washer.
Install the wave washer with the cup side up.
Position the wave washer with the curved edges of the wave spring parallel to the tabs on the lock cylinder shaft.
Important: Use needle-nose pliers to slightly squeeze the C-clip back into shape. Make sure the clip seated, you should feel a snap and hear an audible click.
Install the C-clip onto the shaft and in the slot using needle nose pliers. Then rotate the pawl several times to make sure the C-clip does not rotate. If the clip rotates then the clip is not fully seated.
Position the lock cylinder pawl to the full clockwise position.
Pull up on the cylinder lock rod to remove any slack in the bell crank.
Install the cylinder lock rod into the threaded lock rod retaining clip while removing any slack from the lock rod linkage.
Close the lock rod retainer clip.
Close the liftgate assembly.
Open the liftgate glass while keeping the liftgate closed.
Use the key fob to cycle the liftgate to the lock and unlock position while inspecting the rear liftgate pawl. The lock cylinder pawl should have clearance between the latch as shown above. If the pawl is contacting the latch, readjust the cylinder lock rod.
Verify that the customer's condition has been corrected.
The better solution is to fix the hatch so it closes tightly. The latch hooks on to an adjustable loop. The hatch closes on to the rubber seal: if this is damaged, fix or replace. There may be some adjustable rubber bump stops as well. Lastly, check that the door ajar sensor is not loose.
The liftgate consists of the following components:
liftgate door lock actuator
liftgate lock cylinder (if equipped)
liftgate window glass
liftgate window latch/ajar switch
liftgate window glass release handle
liftgate latch remote control which consists of the following component:
liftgate release handle
liftgate latch, which consist of the following component:
liftgate latch door ajar switch
Liftgate Latch Actuator
Removal and Installation
Remove the liftgate latch remote control. For additional information, refer to Liftgate Latch Remote Control in this section.
SECTION 501-14: Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems
2001 Escape Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Liftgate Latch
Removal and Installation
Remove the liftgate trim panel.
Disconnect the liftgate ajar switch electrical connector.
Disconnect the liftgate latch actuating rod.
Open the clip.
Disconnect the actuating rod.
Remove and discard the liftgate latch bolts.
Remove the liftgate latch.
NOTE: Make sure the liftgate latch release rod is not preloading the latch. It should be clipped in a relaxed state with no slack. NOTE: Position the liftgate latch release rod by pushing outboard to remove the slack.
2001 Ford Windstar Limited with same exact problem.
The rear lift gate opens normally, but after about five seconds it closes automatically.
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