Lift gate will not close after a timeout period?

I would check fuses # 25, #75 and #33 in the under hood fuse panel. here is the wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works with a guide on how to check the uses with the fuse location in the diagrams below as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Lets do a CAN scan which is the future of automotive repair. you can get a CAN scanner from Amazon for about $50.00. here is a video to show you how. This will reveal any codes.

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Thanks very much Ken those diagrams are exactly what I was wanting.I also did not think to use my Blue Driver scan tool. I guess it would work on this issue as well as engine problems. I am at work now so can't try anything but will let you know what I find. The fuses should be good because it goes right back to working after closing it manually. It never seems to fail with me when I want it to quit working but happens with my wife frequently.

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

I will not get to work on it for a few days my wife is taking it on a trip. thanks again for the schematics and other info.

My wife is back home now so I put my code reader on and it shows no codes on any modules, no pending codes and no permanent codes. I tried probably 15 or 20 times last night to get it to fail and it worked perfect every time. I tried holding the door down slightly and not letting it completely reach the up position I tried pushing up on the door beyond its normal stop point but it would not fail no matter what I did. I let it sit for as long as 30 minutes but it never timed out. I was hoping I could duplicate the problem so that when my wife took the car in on Tuesday they would actually see the problem.

If the liftgate of your 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is not closing after a timeout period, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

Manual override:

Check for obstructions:

Power cycle the vehicle:

Here are the instructions in the diagrams below. I have included the control module as well.

Thanks Ken for the information. my wife will be taking the car in to the service department today. It seems to have gotten much better even though I have done nothing to it. I tried it many time again and could not get it to time out a single time no matter how long I left it open and I left it open for probably as long as 45 minutes. Maybe it was a little stiff and needed to be broken in like a new engine. I will let you know what they say.

Hi,

Thanks for the update. If you have a chance, please let us know what was found. We are interested in knowing and I'm certain it will help others in the future.

Take care,

Joe

We took it to the a Chrysler dealer nearer to us (not where we purchased it) and it just happened to fail when they first looked at it. They put a computer on it and it showed an error in the liftgate pinch sensors. They did not attempt to fix it right then and wanted us to leave it so we did for 2 days but we were still in a long line of cars to be repaired/serviced and it would be 2 or 3 more days before they could even get a technician to look at it. I picked the car up and drove it home. I tried the door when I got home but it worked fine. I tried holding the pinch sensor to simulate a pinch sensor failure (sticking closed) but it did not time out after 2 minutes of holding it closed (it might have timed out after a little longer). I left it open for about an hour (I was not holding the pinch sensor at this point) and it finally timed out and would not close. I put my code reader on it but it gave no error codes. Again the only way to reset it was to manually close it. My wife will be taking it in to the dealer we purchased it from on Tuesday, they agreed to work on it while she is there and if they cannot fix it they will give her a loaner car.
I suspected the pinch sensors earlier but have deliberately tried on 2 occasions to hold them in for a while but may not be giving it long enough. This would make sense because if the pinch sensors are sticking the engineers would probably lock out the ability to shut the lift gate to prevent injuries. I know they work because if I trigger them while the door is closing it will reverse and go back up as intended. Sounds like they may be having trouble with these sensors intermittently sticking but I have not been able to simulate the problem.

Hi,

Thank you for that update. I guarantee you it will help others. It really makes sense that would be the cause.

As far as not getting codes, you need a scanner that scans the CAN bus system. I don't know if that is what you have. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all modules and computers are connected together via a few wires. If you have a traditional scan tool, it won't identify diagnostic codes in things such as the body control module.

Here is a quick video showing how the CAN system is scanned:

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

I figured I would add that in the event you aren't familiar with them. You can get a scan tool that can read the CAN system off Amazon for not too much.

If you like doing a lot of the work yourself and as these vehicles continue to change, you may want to consider getting one.

Let me know how things turn out for you. And again, thanks for the update. I know it is going to help others.

Take care,

Joe

Update: Took van in to dealership and left it. they called back and said it was ready, we picked it up and 2 days later its doing the same thing.

The service report mentioned several DTC error codes all of which were related to the liftgate. They found a problem in a connector that connected the liftgate wiring into the vehicle wiring harness, connector XY551 A, it made sense being all of those sensors come thru that connector but unfortunately its back to the same problem as before. No answer from Chrysler on why the liftgate times out to begin with even when there are no issues I guess.

Hi,

Thanks for the update. I wish it was better news. By chance, did they provide a list of diagnostic trouble codes that I could review?

Let me know.

Joe

Yes, but I don't have the sheet here with me. I know they were all body codes and all had to do with the liftgate B1886, B1186 and more if my memory is correct.
One was related to pinch sensors, one was for the liftgate latch position switches, when I get home I will take a picture of the ticket and get you the codes. I had a Chrysler advocate working with me, she knew nothing technical but was very nice and tried to help any way she could. I asked her to get Chrysler to tell me why the lift gate times out to begin with but so far they have not answered. I found another listing on the Chrysler Pacifica Forum regarding this issue and they mentioned that Chrysler had issued a TSB "Liftgate button intermittently not working per the owner's manual: "performed TSB 18-19-31-9D Module, Power Liftgate Module (PLGM)--reprogram, 0.3 hrs" I looked it up but dont seem to have any access to it. see https://www.pacificaforums.com/threads/vanessa-is-home-from-the-spa.49501/

Hi,

I'm not finding that TSB. It may have been from an earlier model year. The B1186 doesn't come up either, but the B1886 is. There is a TSB related to that code. I attached it below.

Let me know if that helps.

Joe

See pics below.

Joe, here are the codes they found as I promised. see attached picture.
I spoke with the service manager and he looked the TSB up and found it in his computer and will reprogram when we take the car in the next time.

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I looked through the codes. They are related to the pinch sensor. The common thread is they all seem to involve a short to either ground or battery voltage.

It may have been when he repaired. Let me know if things change or if I can do anything to help.

Take care,

Joe

I had a 2021 Pacifica for a few hours. It would consistently time out after one hour of no activity. What I did notice was that the PLG State (Power Lift Gate State) would change from "Decklid is completely open" to "Decklid is in intermediate position" Pushing up on the liftgate does not change this message. I suspect that engineering used this for load shedding after extended inactivity.

Thanks, John, for that info. You could be correct that this was load shedding, but I think we have a flash out for this issue now. Basically, they are seeing that the PLGM will get the signal from the switch but not operate the door at times. Many dealers were replacing the module, but this would not correct it.

So, I suspect the PLGM needed to be updated and that would have corrected this member issue.

However, this is great info.

Thanks

Mine had already had the flash done.