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Funny you bring this up. I was looking at it today. There is no tailgate button in the F150 however I think there is one on some 2017 F250s and I found the part number which is:
H3CZ-54432A38-AA
Your part number has the 3 and C inverted. Correct part number:
HC3Z-54432A38-AA - Tasca $8.72 (the price at the time I typed this)
When I unlock my 2015 f150 Lariat with the keypad and then immediately press 5-6 on the keypad, the electric tailgate release actuates. So, the logic is in the truck. If the switch on the F250 acuates the same logic, I'd bet that tracing back the switch wiring to where the hits the harness/module would give an idea if would work on an F150.
Last edited by chief_bs; Mar 13, 2018 at 05:33 PM.
POTENTIAL to release tailgate with switch and Forscan mod
Originally Posted by chief_bs
When I unlock my 2015 f150 Lariat with the keypad and then immediately press 5-6 on the keypad, the electric tailgate release actuates. So, the logic is in the truck. If the switch on the F250 acuates the same logic, I'd bet that tracing back the switch wiring to where the hits the harness/module would give an idea if would work on an F150.
Checking the Forscan spreadsheet under the BCM: 726-38-01 xxxx x*xx xxxx Tailgate Operation Type Cfg: 0=release, 1=unlock
On my Lariat, mine is set to zero (release). My interpretation of release is "open." Mine opens when actuated as described above via the keypad. Unlock would most likely be how the XLT unlocks the manual tailgate. I will verify tomorrow. If I'm correct, checking the BCM module connector C2280C, Pin 33 shows as "CTRL -MOD Door lock * liftgate/decklid release. As I understand it, the switches just ground the pin. So, if Pin 33 is not connected to anything, my HUNCH is that if I connected a wire to it and momentarily grounded it out, it would release my tailgate. If there is a wire at Pin 33, this may be the wire that sends the signal from the BCM to the tailgate release to actually cause it to open. In that case, we'd have to determine (most likely from someone who has access to the F250 wiring diagram) where the wire from their switch enters the harness and where exactly it goes and trigger from that line.
Checking the Forscan spreadsheet under the BCM: 726-38-01 xxxx x*xx xxxx Tailgate Operation Type Cfg: 0=release, 1=unlock
On my Lariat, mine is set to zero (release). My interpretation of release is "open." Mine opens when actuated as described above via the keypad. Unlock would most likely be how the XLT unlocks the manual tailgate. I will verify tomorrow. If I'm correct, checking the BCM module connector C2280C, Pin 33 shows as "CTRL -MOD Door lock * liftgate/decklid release. As I understand it, the switches just ground the pin. So, if Pin 33 is not connected to anything, my HUNCH is that if I connected a wire to it and momentarily grounded it out, it would release my tailgate. If there is a wire at Pin 33, this may be the wire that sends the signal from the BCM to the tailgate release to actually cause it to open. In that case, we'd have to determine (most likely from someone who has access to the F250 wiring diagram) where the wire from their switch enters the harness and where exactly it goes and trigger from that line.
Time to check with the Livinitup
I've tested it on my Lariat to see how plausible it is to stick a King Ranch tailgate on my fathers XLT. Keep in mind many things in Livnitups spreadsheet arent necessarily discovered by him; he deserves a lot of credit for a lot of work, but I'm not sure asking him about this is worth your time or his.
Last edited by Airborne_Ape; Dec 27, 2020 at 05:16 PM.
No offence to you or Livnitup, but he has his own stuff to do. He recently posted here that he is more busy with his sons extended medical needs lately and his side business, so Im inclined not to bother him unless if I know of a paying customer looking for cluster help.
I agree with you that the logic is probably in the BCM and I agree with you about the address because Ive tested it on my Lariat to see how plausible it is to stick a King Ranch tailgate on my fathers XLT. Keep in mind many things in Livnitups spreadsheet arent necessarily discovered by him; he deserves a lot of credit for a lot of work, but Im not sure asking him about this is worth your time or his.
If he does offer helpful advice make darn sure you donate to his charitable causes when that time of year rolls around and he asks us for help.
Youve made more progress than I have. I doubt the harness has the pins populated but I was think about asking Lucas888 for help since he seems to know all the correct pin sizes for unique Ford molex connectors.
I just hope the male pin is populated in the BCM. When I was troubleshooting the flashing dome light of death last year I learned then that Ford has different BJBs across their F150 lineup and simply populating molex plugs with new pins or adding relays isnt possible. Wont know for sure until it stops snowing and I have the patience to go disconnect my BCM and take some photos.
Got a response back from Livnitup. He sent me more info and is sending me diagrams. I'm noodling through those now....
OK, go it. Both the 2015 F150 and 2017 F250 have the same C2280E BCM connector. Both show Ckt CPL60 (BN-YE) at pin 14. Pin 14 is SWITCH -LIFTGATE GLASS RELEASE.
The 2017 F250 tailgate release switch connector C2517 shows Ckt CPL60 (BN-YE) at pin 6. That pin is also labeled SWITCH - LIFTGATE GLASS RELEASE. So, that's the wire that goes from the switch to the BCM. Tie a switch to Pin 14 on the BCM and ground. If BCM address (726-38-01) xxxx x*xx xxxx Tailgate Operation Type Cfg: 0=release, 1=unlock is set to 0, I bet it will work. Mine is. I expect pressing 5 on the keypad entry on my lariat after unlocking the door with it is just an alternate way to tell the BCM to activate the release.
The only other wires going to the 2017 F250 tailgate release connector are instrument panel ground at pin 2 (BK-GY) and switch illumination voltage at pin 3 (VT-GY).
OK I am looking into this also to add the switch into my cab. Order a switch and its on the way. if it just a monetary push button. Then all we need its to take it to ground. Looking at the wiring diagram. I would put it in the same circuit as the button that is on the tailgate - Tailgate release switch circuit. no Forscan involved so that circuit runs from pin 14 on the BCM connector C2280E it a Brown -yellow wire. You just need a spot to just spice into that wire. The points that that wire run does take it over to the left side of the truck out to the C327 connector in the left side of the engine bay to hand off from the body harness (14A005) to the frame harness (14405) to the tailgate button. Now run short wire to ground on the other end of the switch.
I found the panels that have an opening for both the tail gate release and the adjustable pedals. NOTE: This is the full lower panel for F250 / F350...
