POS electronic tailgate

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

mikeru

Super Moderator
Staff member
Moderator Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Posts
4,466
Reaction score
9,092
Location
Eastern WA
Ram Year
2020 Limited
Engine
Hemi 5.7L non-Etorque
Since when were owners incapable of pulling the latch and lowering the tailgate manually?
I have a lever actuated transfercase too. I'm 72.
I don't know, since about 2019 for Ram owners? It's not something I even use, but my truck has both the in-cab release and the fob release button. Seems a little excessive, but lots of people like having that feature. My first truck had wing windows, rubber floor coverings, and manual window cranks. It was 2wd so no lever actuated transfer case. But if it would have been 4wd it would have had that along with manual hubs.

For good or bad, pick-ups became much more than utility vehicles a long time ago. In my case, I'm very happy. I use mine not only as a pick-up, but it's also my luxury car. Best of both worlds for my purposes.
 

Jim Elliott

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
3
Location
Reno
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
A couple of years ago my tailgate locked me out. I have a tonneau over it so I was pissed. I just unlocked it with the key that is hidden in the fob. First time I had ever used the key. Now the tailgate is always unlocked. I can here the lock mechanism when I lock or unlock the cab, but it no longer functions. Now it is like a traditional trucktailgate.
 

Tbone tommy

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2019
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Timbucktoo
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Eco
If it's clicking but not unlocking or closing all the way, put some wd40 on the lock springs. Fixed my issue. Was a different tailgate.but acted the same when I used my fob.
Good luck
 

mikeru

Super Moderator
Staff member
Moderator Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Posts
4,466
Reaction score
9,092
Location
Eastern WA
Ram Year
2020 Limited
Engine
Hemi 5.7L non-Etorque
A couple of years ago my tailgate locked me out. I have a tonneau over it so I was pissed. I just unlocked it with the key that is hidden in the fob. First time I had ever used the key. Now the tailgate is always unlocked. I can here the lock mechanism when I lock or unlock the cab, but it no longer functions. Now it is like a traditional trucktailgate.
That would be more of an issue on a 5th gen. If you disconnect the connector, you lose the ability to open the tailgate. Since there is no key lock there's no way to open the tailgate that way.
 

tnbroker1

Junior Member
Joined
May 22, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
10
Location
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 hemi
Write to Chrysler corporate. Explain nicely the issues you have had and are having with the gate lock and dealer. Then nicely ask them “Is this the experience I should expect when I buy a Ram or other Chrysler product?”. Then sign it saying nothing more. Supply them with copies of the shop ticket as exhibits to support your letter.

Doing this got me a new crate diesel in my 2006 Jeep at 98,000 miles and 6 years of age. I paid a deductible of $500 and drove it another 50,000 trouble free miles before trading it in.
 

Dusty

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Posts
2,085
Reaction score
2,837
Location
Rochester, New York
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I have to push forward on my 2019 tailgate to get it to release. Push forward then hit the release under the handle.
I had a similar issue with my '19. I found the latch adjustment was not the same on both sides. After adjusting, mine has worked flawlessly since.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 065202 miles.
 

Dusty

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Posts
2,085
Reaction score
2,837
Location
Rochester, New York
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
There are little disc's inside the FOB that make the connection when you push the button. They can come loose and slide out of place, and when that happens, it only takes a very light touch to unlock the doors. My Fob on my 2011 Sport became very sensitive like that. I opened it up and reglued the disc's and solved the problem. Amazon and eBay both have sellers for the FOBs if you decide to replace yours and it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg like at the dealer. If you go that route, take both of them apart and put you board in the new one so you don't have to re-program the FOB.
The FOBs don't like pocket fuzz, either.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 065202 miles.
 

Dusty

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Posts
2,085
Reaction score
2,837
Location
Rochester, New York
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Since when were owners incapable of pulling the latch and lowering the tailgate manually?
I have a lever actuated transfercase too. I'm 72.
Another poster explained this. On most trim models when you depress the handle to release the tailgate you are actuating an electrical switch in the handle. The switch sends electrical power to the solenoid operated latches. There is no direct mechanical linkage. So whether you're using the FOB, the button inside the cab, or using the exterior handle on the tailgate, if a latch solenoid is inoperative or out of adjustment, the tailgate will not open correctly.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 065202 miles.
 

BobWh

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2021
Posts
12
Reaction score
6
Location
Long Island,NY
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
I'm interested because I have been experiencing the same problem. 2019 and no other means of opening except for the latch on the tail gate. I have always gotten it open to this point, but I worry when the day will come that I can't get in. My tail gate seems to be in alignment, I do have a tonneau cover and it always ' clicks' when I press the release. Just plain old repeated attempts has gotten me in every time so far. Doesn't happen all the the time, but often enough. Looking forward to hear of a fix or work around.
 

Timsdually

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Posts
621
Reaction score
420
Location
Jersey
Ram Year
2020
Engine
Cummins
I'm interested because I have been experiencing the same problem. 2019 and no other means of opening except for the latch on the tail gate. I have always gotten it open to this point, but I worry when the day will come that I can't get in. My tail gate seems to be in alignment, I do have a tonneau cover and it always ' clicks' when I press the release. Just plain old repeated attempts has gotten me in every time so far. Doesn't happen all the the time, but often enough. Looking forward to hear of a fix or work around.
Exactly what mine was doing.
Dealer did a flash and all is well now.
 

RamCares

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
3,972
Reaction score
1,673
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
n/a
Engine
n/a
I’m sick of my POS tailgate never opening when I need it to. Does anyone know if the classic style tailgate will fit on my 2019 1500 none classic truck? The dealer “replaced” the button, “greased” the mechanisms and it still is a pile of dog s***…so, again. Has anyone put the classic tailgate on their truck to eliminate the electronic button? I asked my dealer about it and they just play dumb like it’s not their problem that it takes me 20 min to get into my truck bed when I use the tailgate daily. I told them today I may just take the tailgate off and leave it off and they just laugh like I’m joking!
Greetings,
Sorry to hear you are experiencing this, we certainly understand why this would be concerning. If you end up addressing this with your local dealer again, please let us know via PM. We'd be more than happy to provide you with an additional layer of assistance for that process.

Rob
Ram Cares
 

RamCares

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
3,972
Reaction score
1,673
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
n/a
Engine
n/a
I would argue that it’s still under warranty. You reported the problem while it was under warranty. They haven’t fixed it. Still warrantied.

@RamCares does the OP have a case to keep the tailgate work under warranty?
Thank you for the tag! We can not discuss other customers information.

Rob
Ram cares
 

Bildze0319

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2022
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Dallas, Tx
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
I’m sick of my POS tailgate never opening when I need it to. Does anyone know if the classic style tailgate will fit on my 2019 1500 none classic truck? The dealer “replaced” the button, “greased” the mechanisms and it still is a pile of dog s***…so, again. Has anyone put the classic tailgate on their truck to eliminate the electronic button? I asked my dealer about it and they just play dumb like it’s not their problem that it takes me 20 min to get into my truck bed when I use the tailgate daily. I told them today I may just take the tailgate off and leave it off and they just laugh like I’m joking!
So is the classic a 4 gen?
 

runamuck

Senior Member
Air Force
Joined
Sep 4, 2018
Posts
1,891
Reaction score
2,525
Location
dfw
Ram Year
2022
Engine
6.7 dsl
mine opens fine. I have the dampened tailgate. the problem I am starting to have is tailgate ajar warning on the dash has come on a few times lately and each time when I checked the tailgate it seemed to be shut tight. reopening and shutting cleared the light but I am thinking the latch is going bad or needs adjustment.
 

LouM

Senior Member
Marine Corps
Joined
Sep 8, 2016
Posts
788
Reaction score
1,055
Location
Greeenwich/Easton upstate NY
Ram Year
2015 Ram Ecodiesel crewcab old/ 2019 Laramie Hemi old/ 2022 RAM 2500 6.7
Engine
eco diesel old / now Hemi missing the eco's mileage/ now back to enjoying diesel torqueesel
When mine started doing that, I noticed that I could move it a bit pushing and pulling on the tailgate,
I adjusted the studs it latches to all good now.
I did notice that the hard plastic sleeve on the stud has a groove worn in it
 

Mando Mark

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Posts
55
Reaction score
43
Location
Wayland, MI
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I thought I'd replied to or posted on this. I drove from snowy Michigan to Georgia (through snow and ice) with y 2019 Ram Classic Bighorn (which I bought new) and when I unlocked my doors/tailgate when I got to my destination to get some heavy tools out (generator, air compressor - things you can't lift over the tailgate, plus I have a cap on the box) I couldn't get the tailgate to unlock. I have the rubber bed mat and one on the tailgate as well, so I had to remove all the screws on the tailgate to get to access panel. After opening it up, I manually got the mechanism to release and lowered the tailgate. I found the little cam mechanism tied to the lock/unlock actuator was gummed up and saturated it with WD40. Seems to work fine now.
 

dodgedaddie

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2012
Posts
12
Reaction score
0
Location
Maine
Ram Year
2007
Engine
Hemi

Is there any adjustments for the latches?​

Mine doesn't work correctly some times. I have to bang it hard to make release
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
210,868
Posts
3,059,047
Members
170,761
Latest member
Saleen5150
Back
Top