Power lift gate with kick assist on 2021 XLT

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03Cobra

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I have a 2021 XLT with the power lift gate but it seems I do not have the kick assist is that possible or is it just not working? How do you tell if you have it or not where should there be a sensor or some other tell tell sign you have it?
 

99WhiteC5Coupe

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I have a 2021 XLT with the power lift gate but it seems I do not have the kick assist is that possible or is it just not working? How do you tell if you have it or not where should there be a sensor or some other tell tell sign you have it?

Check the vehicle window sticker.
 

lv2drive

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if it did have it, you would hate it anyway - (that is unless you enjoy it not working when you need it to, and enjoy consistently gettin smacked on the head when you are loading anything heavy.)

if nothing happens when you try to trigger it, you’ve won. trust me. it’s for the best.
 

Fozzy

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Hate mine as well. Only opens when I am hooking up a trailer or loading bikes on a hitch mount rack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Alwaysthinkin

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My 2020 Window Sticker lists it as: LIFTGATE - HANDS-FREE

I love the option! Just don't do work around the rear of car with the key fob in your pocket. I have had a couple of times where the liftgate has opened by just stepping a foot under the rear bumper.

If you have it the point to swing your foot under the rear bumper is the outside edge, right or left side, of the panel you remove on the rear bumper to access the hitch....
 
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buckwheat-phd

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Mine knocked me over the other day when it went off unannounced. When I want it to go off, everyone in the parking lot laughs as I look like a spastic chicken. So bottom line like the others said, I'll unplug it lol
 

minichunks

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You don’t want it. I unplugged mine.. worst option ever

I haven't looked under the back bumper, but is it obvious what needs to be unplugged? I hate the damn thing. Never opens when you want it to, and always opens when it can smash something(head, bike rack, other car, etc.)
 

minichunks

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Why unplug it - there's an option in the dash to disable it isn't there?

i still want the power lift gate to work, but the foot sensor sucks. As i said before, it never opens when i want it to, but walk by the thing and it opens at random. Last straw was a week or so ago when we were on a a ferry. Walked by the back corner when and it opened up right into the grill of the Ram pickup parked behind me. Id rather use my hands than it seeing a shadow and deciding to open on its own. It's also smashed me in the head a few times while loading the car and it thinks it sees my foot. Beep beep boom.
 

LyoddChrissmiss

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Yes very obvious, just follow the lead and you will see it. I zip tied a plastic bag neatly over the connection. When I sell I may re connect it some day
 

sjwhiteley

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I removed the antenna completely. I had it work twice when I needed it, and five thousand six hundred and fifty seven times when I didn’t.
 

Jamaican Cruiser

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I guess I am in the minority here, as I tend to use mine quite a bit and spent time understanding how it works. I have discovered four things: (1) if you have the towing option the sensor is on the right side of the read bumper ONLY, and if you don't it is in the center. (2) you have to get close so your foot gets to the sensor. I got on the ground and found the sensor, so I now know exactly to swing my foot and how far it need to go; (3) medium speed kick is the best method. Too fast and it does not pick it up and too slow gives the same result; (4) STEP BACK .... which many of you have figure out.:emotions122:

I now get mine to work about 90% of the time, however the 10% is normally when it is raining, what I am carrying is really heavy, or I am trying to show off to my wife :fca5278e:
 

Fizzy

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I guess I am in the minority here, as I tend to use mine quite a bit and spent time understanding how it works. I have discovered four things: (1) if you have the towing option the sensor is on the right side of the read bumper ONLY, and if you don't it is in the center. (2) you have to get close so your foot gets to the sensor. I got on the ground and found the sensor, so I now know exactly to swing my foot and how far it need to go; (3) medium speed kick is the best method. Too fast and it does not pick it up and too slow gives the same result; (4) STEP BACK .... which many of you have figure out.:emotions122:

I now get mine to work about 90% of the time, however the 10% is normally when it is raining, what I am carrying is really heavy, or I am trying to show off to my wife :fca5278e:


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Same here - use it all the time. However, with the tow hitch, the sensor is on both sides... it even states so in the manual. You can kick at either veritcal join line of the hitch cover and it'll open. On the 2020 anyway.


I do get the occasional accidental activation, mostly when I'm hitching and unhitching the boat or travel trailer. I've chalked this up to the rear axle going up and down during the process, tricking the sensor. Also, on tall grass too, I've found that wind waving the grass around can set it off. I've been meaning to have a good look under there at some point to see if I can 3d print something to help.
 
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scottdm

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The novelty just isn't worth the risk to me of the tailgate damage that would be caused by randomly opening into my garage door or my trailer tongue jack, etc. I have disconnected my antenna to avoid any issues.
 
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