2020 RAM 1500 Big Horn Left Tailgate Latch Module Nightmare..

[D-Unit1444]

So my left tailgate late module has been intermittently not working for about a month. I ordered a part from CarID through eBay that said it would fit, didn't fit, didn't even look remotely like the failed module, CarID is trash..

Ordered it again from another company and it arrived, this one looks 100% identical and I swapped it out in like 10 minutes (after spending an hour trying to get the tailgate to even open) only to find that the part Tailgate Latch, Left - Mopar (68309893AL) that I confirmed now with 3 different Mopar dealers says IS the correct part for my VIN are all 2-PIN male. While the part that was in my 2020 RAM 1500 Big Horn is a 4-PIN male and the wiring harness is a 4 pin female.

I can't get any insight to this issue what so ever. I thought maybe there was some change made to the harness and modules due to the Z8B Recall for the tailgate strikes, but those documents make no mention of parts needing to be replaced, just alignment checked and adjusted as needed. I then thought maybe they just eliminated 2 pins and the connector would still work(seemed weird...) but the connector def doesn't work/connect as it appears there is a connection mismatch. I'm at a total loss here. Going to take it to a dealer in town tomorrow and Im sure those ****s are going to feed me some BS about needing all new modules and wiring harness along with a hefty bill because that's what dealerships do. Nothing is just easy anymore...

 

[olyelr]

Are you sure the original module is bad?

 

[D-Unit1444]

Are you sure the original module is bad?

I mean it worked flawlessly for 4 years and then stopped, also doesn't produce any sort of "mechanical" sound like the right side does when it released. Just sounds like a failing actuator. Before it completely died I would usually get 1 or 2 working attempts from it and then it wouldn't work again for a couple days. Pushing it up and in just right might get me an extra one but then it just sounds dead stick. Regardless at the end of the day why the **** is it so hard to get the correct part. Needs to be replaced anyways because they make this out of cheap ass plastic and the little knob that allows you to release it manually from inside has now snapped off because IT MAKES SENSE TO MAKE A PEICE THAT REQUIRES PRESSURE TO RELEASE A LOCKING MECHANISM STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD A TAILGATE LATCH OUT OF CHEAP ASS PLASTIC.... Swear the engineers who design these vehicles need to be fired into the sun.

 

[olyelr]

I mean it worked flawlessly for 4 years and then stopped, also doesn't produce any sort of "mechanical" sound like the right side does when it released. Just sounds like a failing actuator. Before it completely died I would usually get 1 or 2 working attempts from it and then it wouldn't work again for a couple days. Pushing it up and in just right might get me an extra one but then it just sounds dead stick. Regardless at the end of the day why the **** is it so hard to get the correct part. Needs to be replaced anyways because they make this out of cheap ass plastic and the little knob that allows you to release it manually from inside has now snapped off because IT MAKES SENSE TO MAKE A PEICE THAT REQUIRES PRESSURE TO RELEASE A LOCKING MECHANISM STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD A TAILGATE LATCH OUT OF CHEAP ASS PLASTIC.... Swear the engineers who design these vehicles need to be fired into the sun.

Yea for sure. Very frustrating.

 

[D-Unit1444]

Yea for sure. Very frustrating.

Only oddity I can think of was my truck was a odd Big Horn build they called the "tech II package" so I got the big screen, premium audio, additional 120 outlets in the front and back. Maybe for some reason that means it got some different wiring/modules than the typical Big Horn would and that's creating the fitment mismatch with the VIN? No idea, I can't find anything on it.

 

[turkeybird56]

Every part I look at and am able to see connection is 2 pin. BUT this is for a Gen 5 truck/DT. Is it possible your truck is a Gen 4/DS???

Also is there a part number on there that can be read???

2019-2025 RAM 1500 TAILGATE LOCK LATCH ACTUATOR LEFT 68309893AJ 5TH GENERATION.. That part number is 5th Gen...

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
SITE has the "right" side actuator, maybe you can contact and see if they have left side, 4 pin???

2019-2026 RAM 1500 TAILGATE LATCH LOCK ACTUATOR RIGHT GENUINE MOPAR 68312079AM | eBay

GENUINE MOPAR PART # 68312079AM. THIS OEM FACTORY NEW TAILGATE LATCH LOCK ACTUATOR RIGHTTAILGATE LATCH LOCK ACTUATOR RIGHT SIDE IS A DIRECT FIT FOR THE FOLLOWING.

www.ebay.com

 

[D-Unit1444]

Every part I look at and am able to see connection is 2 pin. BUT this is for a Gen 5 truck/DT. Is it possible your truck is a Gen 4/DS???

Also is there a part number on there that can be read???

2019-2025 RAM 1500 TAILGATE LOCK LATCH ACTUATOR LEFT 68309893AJ 5TH GENERATION.. That part number is 5th Gen...

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
SITE has the "right" side actuator, maybe you can contact and see if they have left side, 4 pin???

2019-2026 RAM 1500 TAILGATE LATCH LOCK ACTUATOR RIGHT GENUINE MOPAR 68312079AM | eBay

GENUINE MOPAR PART # 68312079AM. THIS OEM FACTORY NEW TAILGATE LATCH LOCK ACTUATOR RIGHTTAILGATE LATCH LOCK ACTUATOR RIGHT SIDE IS A DIRECT FIT FOR THE FOLLOWING.

www.ebay.com

Pardon my ignorance but how would I even check if it was a Gen4/DS -- I don't think it is but at this point... anything is effing possible. But every part place I've given my VIN to says the part referenced above is correct lol -- clearly isn't. I emailed that vendor you listed and sent the pictures, we'll see what they say.

 

[crash68]

Is it possible your truck is a Gen 4/DS???

DS trucks never had electric tail gate latch releases.

@D-Unit1444 did you see if the two actuator works when plugged into the truck 4-pin. The extra pins may not have anything to do with operation. The extra pins maybe for status/feedback on higher trim trucks but they use the same connectors with less wires.

 

[olyelr]

DS trucks never had electric tail gate latch releases.

@D-Unit1444 did you see if the two actuator works when plugged into the truck 4-pin. The extra pins may not have anything to do with operation. The extra pins maybe for status/feedback on higher trim trucks but they use the same connectors with less wires.

I think he said it wouldnt even plug in.

 

[turkeybird56]

Pardon my ignorance but how would I even check if it was a Gen4/DS -- I don't think it is but at this point... anything is effing possible. But every part place I've given my VIN to says the part referenced above is correct lol -- clearly isn't. I emailed that vendor you listed and sent the pictures, we'll see what they say.

Gen 4/DS trucks have 5 lug nuts each tire.
Gen 5/DT trucks have 6 lugs.

 

[turkeybird56]

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