Super new here and need help. First I would like to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! My problem is just the other day my tailgate release button stopped working. I can open the tailgate via KEY FOB that's it. I have no other mal-functioning items in the truck no warning lights nothing. Everything on the truck is working as intended. I have just tried a new replacement button and that didn't work. All fuses are in great working order. I don't know what to do. If I were to take this to the dealer what should they be looking for. Someone told me that FORSCAN can be used to look in to the BCM for an error with this but I supper confused. Someone also told me to try replacing the actuator but it works fine via the key FOB unless it gets its signal from somewhere else. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks again and in advance. Truck in question listed below:

FORD
2018
F-150
LARIAT
ECO BOOST

 

With FORScan you can scan the BCM (and all the other modules) for DTCs. You can also choose PIDs to monitor. In your case, you could monitor BCM PID DECKLID_R_SW. This will show you whether the BCM is receiving the signal from the tailgate button.

The latch is powered and controlled by the BCM. Whether you use your RKE (aka: fob) of press the button, the BCM sends power to the latch to release the tailgate. You are correct in saying that the actuator is not the problem. The BCM utilizes the Tailgate Relay (internal to the BCM and non-serviceable) to power the actuator. The relay switching is controlled by a micro-processor within the BCM. It may be a situation where the BCM has sensed a problem with the button (such as getting stuck closed for too long) and set a DTC which shuts off the button circuit. Get FORScan, read the tutorial, and check for DTCs.

See Post #1 of this thread for information on FORScan.

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/forsc...987/index2517/

 

Could the keyless entry tailgate antenna be the culprit. Doesn’t it get a signal from the main BCM to signal if doors are unlocked or not. I find this funny this all happened around the time i took the truck to the car wash and then it got cold like freezing the next night.

 

Yes that could be the issue. It monitors the rear of the truck for the presence of a RKE fob. There are two spots which could be the issue if water got into the wiring. One is inside the tailgate right at the sensor. The other is where the tailgate harness exits the tailgate and connects to the harness which runs up to the front of the truck. I would check there first. There might be one or two connectors at the end of the tailgate harness to check.

A scan of the BCM could return DTC B10C6 for the tailgate sensor fault.

 

Took to dealer and after a few hours repair was done. Claim was that there was a bare wire between frame and fuel tank. Fix was splice wire….not reroute wire and splice just leave it where it was. 8 months later same issue. Took to another dealer and after several hours. Now they are replacing the wire harness. Said there were several wires exposed to the elements.

 

I see lots of posts on this issue. The fail point could be many locations but my fix was the same as Sonnyford. My 2019 F150 Lariat power tailgate button would not work, but the FOB and keypad would work. The cable harness that connects the tailgate to the body of the truck was frayed at the location where the harness passes from tailgate to the body of the vehicle. The mesh cover of the harness was had a sizeable hole in it, and a couple of wires were broken. The cause of it was simply opening/closing the tailgate over time. You could see the damage either by looking under the vehicle near the spare tire or above the vehicle when the tailgate was down. It was a matter of time before other things started to fail (i.e., rearview camera,...). Replacing the harness is a bit complicated but very doable for the amateur with a little patience. Ford P/N JL3Z-14A412-B

 

So there's a possibility that it may be the antenna? Not making connection? Mine has snapped and didnt notice until after car wash. Having problems with inside button and tailgate button. I changed out fuse and key fob works. Once I fixed antenna I'll know if this is the culprit. Everything worked before. Thanks

 

The antenna on the fender? That's used for the radio. The keyless entry wiring and module is located in the headliner in the back of the cab.

 

I am having the same issue on my 2021 f150 lariat. My remote will open the tailgate and the button on the dash will open it also. Any ideas on what could be causing this issue? I have checked all the fuses. Any inspected the wiring under the truck by the tailgate.

 

Probably the switch in the tailgate. Pull the electrical connector off the switch and temporarily short the terminals out on the harness side connector. If the wiring is good then the release actuator should activate. Then you know it is the switch.