Has anyone here experienced trouble with their electronic tailgate latch? I have to fight mine to open every time. I end up having to simultaneously push in on the tailgate while pressing the button at just the right time in order for it to release. I tried moving the pins on the bedside which had varying degrees of success. It's still way off and no one but me seems to get the dance right to open it.

I'm guessing there has to be an excerpt in a service manual for it but I can't seem to find it googling or searching in here.

Thanks

*edit* -- just realized I don't have a sig. Here's the truck info:
2016 F150 Platinum, screw, 5.5' bed

 

Yeah, I got a 2017 Lariat with the same behavior - sometimes works, most of the time you have to push/pull/yank while opening. Frustrating.

 

I would bet loosening the stricker on the bed and moving it around would yield results.

 

I believe that is what I meant by saying "pins". I'd moved them in/out/up/down. Just can't seem to get it right. It's almost as if I need a special tool to tighten them both with the tailgate closed so they are both in the exact right spot.

 

Same issues here, really annoying when it's cold/crappy out. Also impossible if there's anything pushing on the gate when you close it. One of the few things I very much dislike about this truck

 

Is the electronic latch actuator motor inside the tailgate weak and failing?

You mentioned pin alignment but maybe the actuator is just weak, especially if it is worse when it is cold out.

Some users here have gone through a few, and some have never had to change it.

 

They both actuate and sound fine to me but I'm not sure I'd know a bad one or how to test such a thing.
Suggestions? (outside of just buying new ones that is)


Ok little reading, there's only one actuator. I'll play with that a bit and try to determine whether it's alignment still or a weak actuator situation. Thanks!

 

I have not had one fail myself, but if you take off the cover panel and watch it when pushing the button you may be able to tell if it's weak and not fully actuating?

Also may want to search more a bit here to confirm the symptoms matched yours but it sounds familar to me.