Please help with power tailgate issue, dealer is clueless.

[cdnlimited]

Hello everyone. I've been trolling this site for ages but finally have joined this awesome community.

I wish my first post was more pleasant in nature but alas I have no choice. :-(

Anyway, our 2008 Highlander Limited's power tailgate has stopped closing on it's own. It opens up without issues on its own but when you press the close button there is a long beep and then nothing happens. We have to manually close it shut. I took it to the dealer today and they are totally stumped. They want to replace the $2000.00 power tailgate motor but they cannot guarantee that it will be fixed. Needless to say, we will never spend the 2k to fix it because its just not worth it but is the dealer missing something? Why would the power motor be broken when it has no problem oping the tailgate but only has issues closing it?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[RedLdr1]

Have you tried closing it with the switch on the dash to see if you get the same result as the rear hatch switch? It might be a bad switch on the hatch....

[cdnlimited]

Hi Wayne. Yes I've tried the dash switch, the keyless fob and the switch on the tailgate. They all produced the same result. It opens but when you go to close it there is a long beep and then nothing........

[jeffs3820]

Open the glovebox and check the switch setting (on far left side)...it should be in the "in" position.

I don't think it's that but it's worth a check. On my car when the glovebox switch is "out" and one presses the button on the remote to open the trunk the car just beeps twice regardless if the hatch is open or closed.

If it's not the button position, it has to be wiring or a relay. It's not the motor if the hatch opens. The motor just runs in reverse to close. This usually is a relay. You need a shop with decent electrical troubleshooting skills. Most dealers charge by the hour for electrical issues. First step is a wiring diagram so run from the dealer that wanted to change the motor for 2 grand...

[ganue]

I would be checking if there is an open and a close relay, and swapping them over and seeing if the fault transfers over. Not sure how the car knows the door is shut, but i would be seeing if there is a door fully closed limit and checking it functions correctly.

[RedLdr1]

I agree, it most likely isn't the motor... A relay or some type of reverse actuator is most probable... If you are out of warranty I would find a competent independent to look at it as the dealer sounds clueless and is just throwing a bunch of $$$ and parts at the problem...