Tailgate Will Not Operate with Fob

[El Guapo Phil]

Today I and my helper had to take off the tailgate to load rock onto the 2016 Ram 1500 Hemi. In doing so, the tailgate slipped and 2 connector came out of the harness that come from power to the tailgate wiring

I did want I need to do. When reinstalling the tailgate, I inserted the two connectors. It was obvious what holes they popped out. I inserted the connectors, they could only go in one way only. I tested it out and no lock or unlock. I mean no sound like when the doors lock and unlock. I switched the connectors and nothing.

What to do? I looked at the fuse box and did not recognize any fuse to the tailgate locking system.

Now, I really do not know how to test for current or if the actuator is bad.

 

[misfit77]

You may have pulled the pins out of the socket. Look in the holes and make sure the barrels and pins are protruding enough to engage.

Hopefully you can push them back in otherwise you might have to rebuild the connector.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

 

[RamCares]

Today I and my helper had to take off the tailgate to load rock onto the 2016 Ram 1500 Hemi. In doing so, the tailgate slipped and 2 connector came out of the harness that come from power to the tailgate wiring

I did want I need to do. When reinstalling the tailgate, I inserted the two connectors. It was obvious what holes they popped out. I inserted the connectors, they could only go in one way only. I tested it out and no lock or unlock. I mean no sound like when the doors lock and unlock. I switched the connectors and nothing.

What to do? I looked at the fuse box and did not recognize any fuse to the tailgate locking system.

Now, I really do not know how to test for current or if the actuator is bad.

We certainly understand why this would be concerning. If you are not able to determine a solution based on suggestions from fellow forum members and you decide to address this with your Ram dealer, please be sure to follow up with us via private message. We would be more than willing to escalate your situation to a specialist who can work alongside you and your dealer while your truck is in service.

Mark
RamCares

 

[El Guapo Phil]

Since I am and the Ram is also with me in Belize, Central America and the dealer in Belize City is not that great, I will take my chances to find the source of the problem on my own.

I will post info as I continue.

 

[El Guapo Phil]

I will try to insert the pins more securely. It seems this is the problem. The tailgate will open, lock and unlock with the key but not the fob.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Phil, do this get yourself a battery powered continuity tester one end will have a pin point on it and the other end will have a alligator clip get a safety pin and clamp it on the alligator clip, now you can gently Pearce one wire at a time and check it for continuity at both ends of the socket make sure the fob is not with you and the truck has been off for a hour to make sure everything is deenergized, this will tell you if you have a pin pulled out of the socket, Good luck be patient!!

 

[El Guapo Phil]

I do have power.

Since I had power to the harness from the main Ram wiring but not from the harness to the tailgate lock, I surmised the current was not passing through the plug adapter. There are several wires in the adapter harness to the tailgate and only two have metal connectors. The other eight or so have plastic pins. I cut the adaptor and hard wired the two wires from the harness to the tailgate. It worked.

I know that if I have to take off the tailgate again, I will need to reconnect and tape the wires. The wire are color coded so it will not present a problem.

I do not have a factory installed back up camera, etc on the tailgate, only the locking mechanism.

As for the cut harness, I checked on Amazon and eBay before deciding to cut it and both have replacement harnesses.

 

[BWL]

Which connectors did you pull out and does the reverse camera still work fine. I'd like to disable my remote tailgate lock.

 

[El Guapo Phil]

My Ram does not have a camera. But the wires in the harness are color coded.
The lock was solid green and green with a line. There are next to each other.

I do not think the wiring would be different since all vehicles have all the wiring needed for the basic to the Laramie edition already installed.

My towing wiring and rear stop etc lamps are on another harness circuit. The tailgate lock and may the camera may be on the same harness.

Check it out. It is not hard.