Hands-Free Liftgate Madness

[MATT0404]

No codes thrown? I might have to do this as well... hooked up a trailer for the first time and she came up outta nowhere! Never works when I want it to tho haha.

Is it just a simple unplug?
Everything else works fine?
I’d like to do that as well, as im fearful that one time I have my trailer hooked up it will open and cause so damage.

Yep, I simply unplugged the sensor in the rear bumper. No codes and all other lift gate features work just fine.

 

[LyoddChrissmiss]

Ok, I just did the unplugging of the rear sensor. Very simple, took 5 minutes.
Everything works the way I want it to.
Key fob open and close. Button on dash open and close. Button on hatch itself fully functional. No codes. Best thing now is that the stupid kick/open feature it disabled till I sell the Expy years from now.
I’ve attach photos of what u need to look for and do

 

[LyoddChrissmiss]

Additionally I forgot to mention. I wrapped the ends of the plugs with electrical tape just for my on OCD

 

[5280tunage]

I usually like this feature, for example when I'm carrying a box full of booze, but I recently had an issue that nearly cost me a fortune. I had the lift gate open, and the stupid thing sensed me standing behind the bumper, I never waived anything under the vehicle. It started opening and pinned the lift gate against my garage door. If I hadn't forced it to stop, it would have likely broken the damn lift gate glass.

How dumb, having the lift gate open should disable the motion tailgate unless you physically push the button to open the tailgate. I've found several of these dumb things, makes you wonder if anyone actually tests things like they might get used in the real world.

 

[mhExped]

FWIW, I recently had my '18 Limited into the shop for some other issues a Ford field tech was having a look at. I requested he look at this ol' issue and provide updated insight (mind you, the TSB cited earlier in this thread was applied previously, but the problem remains).

The field tech's advice? The kick-to-open feature requires the keys nearby to activate. So, leave your keys somewhere "far away" when you intend to do work near the tailgate and don't want to have it open or close unexpectedly.

Needless to say, I'll be following the advice of the other members who've posted success here disconnecting the sensor in lieu of the above "brilliant" advice. Really wish Ford had simply included an on/off feature for the hands-free liftgate feature in the available on-dash configuration/setup options.

Thanks to those who've shared their successful workaround experiences and instructions.

FYI...I've now had the liftgate spontaneously open 2x (and my wife 1x) walking behind the vehicle about 3-6 feet away. So, for me, it's not limited to just messing with a trailer or being otherwise right up at the rear bumper.

 

[Deftones]

I have had this hit my head twice in my newly owned Expedition. First time shocked me. Second time I didn't dodge fast enough. Now I know what it is, I know how to avoid it.

 

[Matthew Abrams]

Mine worked flawlessly for the first 10-12 times........ now, nothing

 

[5280tunage]

This last weekend, money nearly closed on two kids, as they were sitting in the trunk watching a drive-in style movie. When I walked by them, it started closing. Not okay, seems a lot like a safety hazard more than a convenience any more.

 

[mhExped]

I ultimately disconnected the antenna/sensor as recommended by others here. Bye-Bye hands-free assassin!

 

[isawred]

Ok, I just did the unplugging of the rear sensor. Very simple, took 5 minutes.
Everything works the way I want it to.
Key fob open and close. Button on dash open and close. Button on hatch itself fully functional. No codes. Best thing now is that the stupid kick/open feature it disabled till I sell the Expy years from now.
I’ve attach photos of what u need to look for and do

Trying to do this now. Got the cover off and I assume it’s the bottom wire in this pic but doesn’t want to seem to come out. Any tricks to it?

 

[isawred]

Trying to do this now. Got the cover off and I assume it’s the bottom wire in this pic but doesn’t want to seem to come out. Any tricks to it?

 

[isawred]

Never mind, realized it was the whole plug that needed to come out. My wife and children thank you all as this has been an ongoing issue for us.

 

[5280tunage]

My issue with the stupid liftgate is the button. I disabled the hands free function via forscan, thank goodness but the button is a piece of junk. Already had it replaced twice, and it's sticking again. Only way to get it to work sometimes is to bang on it just to the right of the button to get it to unstick. But you have to do it fast enough that it doesn't try to reprogram the lift height. Guess I'm going to have to take the button apart and try to shave it down or something. Piece of crap and it definitely gets worse in the cold.

 

[aggiegrad05]

My issue with the stupid liftgate is the button. I disabled the hands free function via forscan, thank goodness but the button is a piece of junk. Already had it replaced twice, and it's sticking again. Only way to get it to work sometimes is to bang on it just to the right of the button to get it to unstick. But you have to do it fast enough that it doesn't try to reprogram the lift height. Guess I'm going to have to take the button apart and try to shave it down or something. Piece of crap and it definitely gets worse in the cold.

I think this has been mentioned before, but I just shot some WD40 behind the button and that fixed it. I've had it replaced before and the issue just keeps coming back, so I figured $0.002 worth of WD40 was easier than another trip to the dealer.

 

[5280tunage]

My issue with the stupid liftgate is the button. I disabled the hands free function via forscan, thank goodness but the button is a piece of junk. Already had it replaced twice, and it's sticking again. Only way to get it to work sometimes is to bang on it just to the right of the button to get it to unstick. But you have to do it fast enough that it doesn't try to reprogram the lift height. Guess I'm going to have to take the button apart and try to shave it down or something. Piece of crap and it definitely gets worse in the cold.

Reporting back. So today I decided to replace my lift gate button but before I did, I wanted to understand better what was going on. I scarified my original button, took it apart, and realized that this problem is simply a really bad design. The negative pressure or return of the button is not controlled by a spring or anything mechanical, it is truly relying on whatever weak and terrible response is created by the rubber in the switch pad. No wonder these pieces of crap don't work and get stuck, especially in the cold. I sprayed mine with some silicon but I don't think it will matter.

 

[cynmike2006]

Reporting back. So today I decided to replace my lift gate button but before I did, I wanted to understand better what was going on. I scarified my original button, took it apart, and realized that this problem is simply a really bad design. The negative pressure or return of the button is not controlled by a spring or anything mechanical, it is truly relying on whatever weak and terrible response is created by the rubber in the switch pad. No wonder these pieces of crap don't work and get stuck, especially in the cold. I sprayed mine with some silicon but I don't think it will matter.

Where did you buy the replacement button?

 

[5280tunage]

Where did you buy the replacement button?

Here's where I got it, at the time the best price with shipping, but you can find them all over.

JL1Z54432A38AA - Ford Liftgate Latch Release Switch. Expedition | Lakeland Ford, Lakeland FL

Genuine Ford Part # JL1Z54432A38AA (JL1Z-54432A38-AA) - Liftgate Latch Release Switch. Expedition; At Liftgate. Interior. Navigator; At Liftgate. Fits Expedition, Mustang Mach-E, Navigator. Ships from Lakeland Ford, Lakeland FL

parts.lakelandford.com

 

[GixxerJasen]

Two weeks ago I was using my hitch mount motorcycle tire changer, and the tub of lube fell off the bumper and rolled under the truck setting off the hatch which opened into the changer causing a small scratch. Thanks to @LyoddChrissmiss pictures I was able to disconnect mine today. All done no more fussing with that. Doubt I'll miss it.

 

[Epic Dad]

I found out from watching a review online tjat
if you have the HD Tow Package you have to kick straight (in a line) between exhaust and hitch. If you don’t the sensor is somewhere else.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

If Ford is still offering a credit for deleting this "feature" on new orders it will be well worth giving it up as ours has not worked when we wanted it to and worked when we didn't want it to. Ours opened into the garage door once seemingly when no one was around and has opened or closed on me while working on hitch.