Power Lift Gate Problems

The CS utilizes an electronic liftgate release system. In the unlikely event that the vehicle losses power or the electric release system fails the following procedure can be used to open the rear liftgate.

Obtain a large flat-bladed screwdriver, enter the vehicle and approach the liftgate.
On the lower portion of the liftgate trim panel you will find a 25mm plastic plug. Remove the plug from the trim panel by gently prying out.

Insert the screwdriver through the access hole and find the slot in the beige release lever. Rotate the release lever up and to the right (when facing rearward), Hold the release lever until the latch has cleared the striker.

I finally got around to attempting this repair. I was able to remove the upper trim panel and to get started on the lower panel, but the lower panel is secured by 6 screws, four of which can only be accessed when the liftgate is open.

Of course, the problem is that I can't get the liftgate open.

Any ideas?

Thanks..

I was able to bend the lower trim assembly and reach down to pull up the manual release that is at the rear of the liftgate latch assembly. It's possible that the manual release could be reached through a hole in the lower trim in trim of the liftgate latch, though you would have to know exactly what your were trying to do and have some sort of jig to reach the release.

It appears that the motor on the liftgate latch has failed. I separated the motor from the mechanical portion of the liftgate latch and actuated the hatch switch. The solenoid in the mechnical latch seems to work, but the motor did not turn. Looks like all of those cold mornings at the ski hill caught up with the motor.

Thanks...

Good find. From what I could tel it is a bit of a problem with those vehicles.

Any recommendations on where to find parts?

I would probably stick with the dealer.Their parts prices are alot more competitive these days and they fit correctly

i also have trouble with my lift gate. i bought a pacifica for parts and the liftgate was working and i thought that on mines it was a bad liftgate motor and switched it and all good now here are the diagrams I used to fix the problem (below)

mines does not work. bought one for parts and the lift-gate was working and switched parts to mine, and it still does not work. Any suggestions?

You bought what for yours, the whole lift gate? "Does not work" What exactly are the symptoms? What works and what does not?

The best way to approach this is to use a scanner to talk back and forth with the various computer modules. The rear module will list various inputs to give a clue to what is causing improper operation.

The power lift-gate does not work. It opens manually but not automatically. I bought another Pacifica for parts and on that one it was working so I assumed it was the motor and changed it and still did not work. I checked the fuses and changed the blue module in the back also and nothing. The same thing with the retractable pedals.

Please be specific so I do not misunderstand you. You changed the retractable pedals or they do not work?

The first thing to look at is whether the tail lights flash when you try to activate the power gate. If they flash, the module is getting the "open" signal from the TIPM, "Totally Integrated Power Module" next to the battery. Then it becomes an issue of why the lift gate module is not following the command. One possibility is the transmission range switch is mis-adjusted. It can be off just enough to inhibit opening but not interfere with normal starter operation.

A totally different symptom is the gate pops to unlock, but it does not lift open. It immediately closes and re-locks. That is usually a simple matter of readjusting the striker inward to insure it breaks the electrical contact when the gate and latch move rearward when it pops.

Beyond that you need the scanner to see if the gate module is being recognized on the data buss and to view the status of the inputs. It will also tell if there are any diagnostic fault codes stored. Those can direct you to the circuit that needs further diagnosis. For example, there is a switch in the latch assembly to tell the computer the state the latch is in. A wire to it could be broken between the gate's hinges. Without a scanner and the fault codes it can show, you could be chasing wires and testing circuits for days, and the cause still might not be revealed. The mis-adjusted striker is a perfect example. Everything will test fine electrically so you will move on and never see the problem the computer is seeing.

How do I readjust the striker? Because when I press the lift-gate button on my key fob the taillights do flash.

The striker might be the issue if the latch pops, then pulls the gate closed again right away. If it is not popping open, the striker is not the issue. To adjust it, remove the plastic trim strip, then you will see the mounting bolts. Loosen those bolts just enough so you can tap the striker forward about 1/16". If you go too far, it will be hard to latch when you have to do that by hand. In rare cases it can also make it not unlatch due to too much pressure on it.

The power liftgate on my 04 Pacifica has started to work intermittenlty. I press the key fob and the lights will blink,but the alarm doesn't sound and the liftgate doesn't open. Then I can open it manually and close it manually, but the next time I try it, it works like it should. This is everyday. I never know when it will be working.

The dealership said it must be the motor and want to put in a new motor at a cost of 900$.

I think it must be something simple. The inside button that you can push tio open the lift gate will no twork it either when the key fob is not working. Meaning, you have to open it manually, more times than not.

I have the same problem. The power liftgate on my 04 Pacifica has started to work intermittenlty. I press the key fob and the lights will blink,but the alarm doesn't sound and the liftgate doesn't open. Then I can open it manually and close it manually, but the next time I try it, it works like it should. The lifgate seems to open more on warm/hot days and less on colder days. So maybe it is temperature dependent.

Is it something to do with the rubber of the anti-crash strip sensors?

What plastic trim strip?

Technically it's called the "sill plate". It is the trim that covers the striker and runs from side to side between the side panels. On older vans it was held on with four screws. On newer models it is held on with snap clips. To remove those you pry up from underneath to pop the piece off.

Sorry, but I still do not understand.

When you open the lift gate, you will see a plastic strip that is usually the color of the interior or black. This is the sill plate. It covers the merge between the carpeting and the metal of the body. In this image, it is the piece of plastic with the hole in the middle for the striker.

https://www.2carpros.com/images/external/car-rear-trunk-bumper-Protector-Sill-Plate-Scuff-Trim-Cover-For-Chrysler-200-300-Aspen-Pacifica.jpg_640x640.jpg

Where is the fuse for rear hatch for the pacifiac

Fuse 11 in underhood box

i change the fuse and it still don't work. what do i do ?

System fairly complicated three control modules several switches but is self-diagnostic. Can be trouble coded through BCM but Dealer will have to do need scanner DRB III (R)