Went away for a week and when I returned my reverse cam is blue and my tailgate won’t unlock. Luckily I didn’t have my tonneau closed.
I’m assuming there is a dead electrical connection somewhere going to the t gate.
Anyonr have similar issue? Advice where to start looking?
thanks!!
2016 xlt

 

Under the truck, just below the tailgate and behind the spare tire is the tailgate plug. Look for disturbance of any dirt on the outside of the plug to see if it may have been an attempt at stealing the tailgate.

 

This is the wiring for the tailgate lock. There are several connectors that could be the issue.

 

Thanks! It’s either been Chewed or hacked at. All the wires are severed going to t gate about 6” upstream of the plug.
Any ideas how to manually unlock the tailgate? otherwise I will have to try and splice/solder in place which will be fun.

 

Don’t you have a key to unlock the tailgate?

 

In the infinite wisdom of ford engineers they did not include a keyed lock, just electronic. Unless I’m blind.

 

Hmmm? No small key hole around the handle? I’m not familiar with the 2016 but my 2018 has a small key hole for the key stored inside my remote fob.

 

You are not blind. Find the right colored chewed up wires under the tailgate and apply 12 V power to one and ground to the other. If it doesn't unlock the gate, reverse the wires. Power one way locks, power the other way unlocks.

 

My reading of the 2016 Owner's manual shows a picture of the electronic tailgate handle with a small hole on the far-right side.
Your blade key should go in there and turn to open the tailgate. Your blade key may be inside the fob - see below.
I don't have a 2016 but find it hard to believe even Ford took away the key access.

 

There is no key operated mechanical latch system on the electronic tailgate.


Edit: OP has a manual tailgate with a power lock but it also doesn't have a key slot.