Hi all. I have a 2016 XL and recently added a bakflip bed cover. I am not able to lock the tailgate. I am pretty sure I was able to before becasue I remember going to the back of the truck to open the bed just to find it was locked. But this is not my first F150 so maybe the XL did not have it so, 2 questions First do all 2016's have locking tailgates? second if so is there some way to disable it that I might have done by mistake or do I have a problem. The truck was in the body shop as the passenger side was hit but no damage to the tailgate. But I was wondering if maybe a wire was cut. I am not good at tracing wires back and do not see any loose wires. Just seems odd to me that it does not lock after the top was installed, Thanks, JOhn

 

my 2015 XL has a locking tailgate, locks when I use the fob to lock the doors. No way to disable it.

 

Thanks, I kind of thought that which is concerning to me. Means either something with the new cover is messing it up which I really doubt. Or the accident I had caused an issue I did not notice. I dont think it is the cover because I can fold it back and it still doesn't lock.

 

I don't see how adding a bakflip could possibly cause the lock to fail. I suspect the accident for sure.

 

I’m pretty sure the cable runs down the frame rail on the drivers side. Could be the lock mechanism itself, you can open up the tailgate and check it with your fob while looking at it, see if you get any movement. When was the last time it was working, as said above I doubt the cover would stop it. Did you pull the plugs apart under the rear bumper that goes into the tailgate? See if it’s corroded.

 

Well, the accident was on the passenger side and the wires are on the drivers from what I am reading. I also doubt it is the Bakflip so I will disassemble the tailgate and see what I can see as well as checking all of the cables. I was kind of hoping the was some silly button combo you can hit to disable it and that is what I inadvertently did. No such luck so I will dig into it....

 

My guess is a loose connector.

 

Your guess would be correct. Not sure how but the connection under the truck behind the license plate was completely disconnected. I don't think that could wiggle loose but who knows. All good now. I am a bit embarrassed that I didn't look first but I just assumed this was an electrical configuration done with the FOB.To me one would think people would want the ability to disable if you dont have a cap but who knows. Anyway, I'm good, thanks for the help....

 

I understand you solved the open fault.
My thoughts are if you bought it used it may have had a tailgate delete applied at some point considering it is a fleet-white XL. The tailgate lock, unlock and ajar warning circuits can be configured in the BCM if you want to. 2015's need an update to the BCM and IPC for the ajar alert to work properly. Somewhere in this website is a tailgate ajar thread covering this exact topic. For 2015-2016 F150's the tailgate lock and unlock circuits are controlled in a different spot in the BCM than later models, I forget where. it's labeled liftgate something er other. On 2017 to 2020 F150s the tailgate lock circuit logic is located at both 726-66-02 & 726-67-02. If you update your BCM with a 2017 calibration you can manually configure as built data for the tailgate lock actuator and adjust the switch states to accommodate normal open or normal closed depending on your setup.

When looking at BCM as built data
door 6 = tailgate / liftgate
depending on the vehicle and there's overlap across various circuits labeled as such with either definition.

 

I bought mine new and believe it was disconnected by a mechanic that worked on it. Thanks for the information though....