QuestionQUESTION: This morning we used the auto rear lift button to raise the rear door of our 2005 Chrysler Town and Country van. After loading the back we tried to lower it with the button and it wouldn't work. We also tried to lower it manually and it also wouldn't work. It is firmly stuck in the up position. It was very cold outside (-1º), so we brought it into our garage thinking the cold may be the problem. It is now warmed up and still won't budge at all, manually or with the button. I'm afraid the battery will be dying any time now since the door is open. I would have brought it to the dealer, but it's Sunday. Can you help?
ANSWER: To protect the battery you could remove the fuse that supports the lights and things like the power door locks, which is fuse 14 in the very front of the power distribution box under the hood, at the right side front of the box. It may be labelled IOD which stands for things that have to operate when the ignition is turned off. Let me see if anything is stated about emergency closing of the power liftgate, and get back if I find more. Be sure to not have the vehicle secured against theft when you remove the fuse so that the controller doesn't think you are trying to steal from the vehicle by turning of the security system.
Fuse 32 is the one that powers the lift gate so look to see if it is blown. If so, replace it (40 amps). That fuse is at the rear of the box in a group of three in the center of the rear, the frontmost of the three.
The manual suggests, when the door won't operate, also that you momentarily disconnect the - post clamp of the battery to recycle the liftgate control module, then reconnect it and try to operate it. There is a thermal cut out the prevents operation at -12 degrees by the way. If you do disconnect the battery - post clamp, again be sure that the security system is not armed at the time.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: First off, thank you, thank you! Your advice worked great. After disconnecting the battery and hooking it back up, the liftgate came down with the button inside. My husband checked the fuses and they were all good.
The liftgate button no longer works on my remote though. That is not that big of a deal, but if you have an idea of how to get that working too, I would love to hear it.
Thanks again. You saved my Christmas vacation.
Denise
AnswerHi Denise,
I am pleased to learn that my suggestion worked. About your remote not working with the liftgate, does your husband's work? If so, then of course it is your remote itself. I would first change the battery in it (or switch the battery with that in your husband's remote and see if that fixes yours but causes his to now fail) and if that battery switch approach doesn't repair it then spray a little electronic circuit cleaner around the edge of the button to try and clean the internal contacts of the switch. That would be available in a spray can at an electronics store. If neither remote works, then I will have to look into the question of what might be wrong in the vehicle system that activates the lift. Let me know which.
Roland
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