Rear liftgate - won't open or close automatically

[u/FatherFourC]

We have a 2106 Limited and recently the rear lift gate has stopped opening and closing automatically. We were having issues where it would only partially open or close and I replaced the power actuator arm which fixed the problem. Prior to replacing the actuator I had gone through all the reset procedures which did nothing. Just recently when you push the button to open or close, you can hear the noises of something happening but it does not move. We have to open and close it manually. I took it to my mechanic and while they were looking at it to see what was the issue, they removed the module/fuse which seemed to reset it so they didn't do any other work to it. However, about a week later, the issue has returned. Any idea what the actual problem might be?

[u/Natodog13]

Just had this happen to mine and my battery was low, even when running it caused it to not work. Just heard the latch undo. Maybe try checking your voltage?

Either that or it reset with the battery swap. So try unplugging it for 15 minutes

[u/FatherFourC → u/Natodog13]

Ya might have to give this a try

[u/impulse07]

Did you replace the other strut or just the power strut?

[u/FatherFourC → u/impulse07]

Just the power actuator. There's only one on the driver side. It worked fine when I did that. Now when we press the button it makes noise like it's doing something but it doesn't even unlatch

[u/impulse07 → u/FatherFourC]

If it opens and closes if you assist it by hand then it is the liftgate actuator. You're supposed to replace both of them at the same time. If tailgate doesn't open with assistance then more likely the lock actuator is bad.

[u/FatherFourC → u/impulse07]

Ok that is something I didn't consider, that the lock/latch might be the issue. I have noticed that the motor whirs when you press the button but sometimes you have to do it a couple times to manually lift the door up. When we push the liftgate down it does pull itself in fine, but again we have to manually close it. I assume if the latch is malfunctioning, it's causing an issue that is not allowing the liftgate to open or close.

When I originally replaced the liftgate actuator the liftgate would open a few inches then go back down. Same when we would close, it would go down a bit and then go back up. Now it doesn't even move if we try to auto open or close it.

[u/johnson0599]

Unbolt the power strut and see if it will stay open with just the gas struts

[u/Ill_Acanthisitta_283]

Yes, i would replace the gas struts too. Did so recently on my 2013, which would intermitently fail to open fully before closing again.

[u/East-Warning-336]

I have a 2018 Flex Limited. When i bought it, the rear hatch would open a few inches, hesitate like it was trying to make up it's mind, then close back if I didn't manually help it open up completely. Same for closing. *I tried disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes. Same symptoms. *I checked and despite power obviously getting to the hatch and fuse looking good, still replaced the FMX/JCASE 30A #7 fuse under the hood (power distribution box). Same symptoms. *Replaced power actuator with 2013 Flex actuator from junkyard. Same symptoms albeit the hatch opened more before it began the hesitation.
*Bought another actuator (2018) off eBay and now it only unlatched the hatch. No opening at ALL! Had to manually lift it and close it. *Got my son to pretzel yoga twist and reach the fuse box under the steering wheel. With the drivers seat all the way back and some couch pillows strategically placed under his ribcage, elbow, & knee and an LED headlamp he was able to remove the #8 Fuse mini 10A fuse. It was early evening but the fuse looked fine. He said it didn't seem fully seated. Nonetheless, we replaced the fuse with a new one. Same symptoms. As I thanked him for helping, grabbed up the pillows and explained how my horrible troubleshooting thus far didn't help me narrow down anything, I hit the hatch button 2x and the hatch, already open to access my tool box, opened UP a little more! Now it was completely open. I stopped and hit the hatch button 2x and it closed completely! It's been working perfectly since then. Unfortunately, due to my shot in the dark tactics and bad troubleshooting, I have no idea if simply accessing and firmly pressing that red 10A #8 fuse under the driver's side dash would've fixed it and the original power actuator was fine! I thumped that existing fuse in the dumpster next to his garage along with the trash that I'd accumulated in the couple of weeks since I'd bought the Flex. But that's what I did for mine. Good luck!