A similar thread with this issue came up recently. I couldn't find the part number then, but I finally did. Here is what I had to order when it happened to me. I got it for $51 shipped from Tasca, but it looks like it went up in price a bit. The new part has a piece of foam covering it, presumably to keep more water out of the mechanism.

GC3Z-9943170-D

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...l-gc3z9943170d

 

It's likely gonna be one single wire for the button (a terminal, actually) at/in the inline connector that connects the tailgate loom to the body loom. My guess is that there's a push-out or a spread [female] pin or small wire damage. It's impossible to diagnose FOR SURE, but the odds are that it's at this location rather than further upstream.

Please follow up.

 

This looks like a lock rod actuator. But regardless of what it is...it is some sort of mechanism that activates/moves "something". And--since the guys are able to activate their mechanism with the fob--it proves that the mechanism works (and is therefore probably not the problem) IMHO.

 

Ah yes, I misread the part about still working with the fob, good lookin out. Mine stopped working altogether and this part was the fix. Different issue then.

 

One of the other really aggravating things that sometimes catches people (including me) is this:

Something electrical doesn't work, so...

You buy a new part...swap it in...it still doesn't work (or it works briefly then stops working) So...

You attack the problem again (by having a closer look, or by disconnecting and/or removing the malfunctioning part) and you discover that the problem was 'not-the-part' all along...but instead is one of the issues I listed before. * * *

Very frustrating. But it teaches you to do the in-depth examination FIRST - especially if you are talking about a $100 or more part that you may not even need!!

* * * And sometimes--very, VERY rarely, but it does happen--the problem was that the connector lock was not engaged! And so during the process of replacing the component--without even realizing it--you end up properly engaging/locking the two connectors (which solves the original problem) This is why we need to pay super-close attention to the initial examination; before separating any connector, see if it is fully locked by giving it a tug without pressing the lock-tab.

 

Was anyone able to find the answer? I have a 2017 Limited with the same problem. FOB is the only way to open the tailgate. I looked at the wire harness from tailgate to body and it looked fine. I'd prefer a DIY fix rather than pay hundreds at dealership to fix.

 

hey guys, I have a 2017 Lariat with the push button tailgate. mine quit working, the dealer looked at it. said it was the actuator for the tailgate. new was is $116, i asked them to change it back to a manual tailgate. they are working on it now. anybody going this route? I heard there is a TSB for this problem. thx

 

There is a recall on the gate, yes. Wire harness could be faulty allowing gate to automatically open at random.

 

so i have same problem with my 2019 f150 and i couldnt figure out myself took to dealership and they told me its BCM went bad so they put on order and will be install next week hopefully this fix the problem.

 

i have the same problem did you figure out what the problem was?