Unsolved problem at Dealer.

[piemontes]

Hello there, i am having a rather annoying problem that started all of the sudden and persisted since then.
I was walking from the back of the truck (2020 RAM 1500 Bighorn/Hemi), I've unlocked it, and started to hear a noise from the back as I was opening the driver door. Went there and I've heard/saw the tailgate opening, close it , did it again, and again.
Inside the cabin, right below the steering wheel there is a plastic cover w/ two bolts, while the tailgate actuator sounds and keeps working uncontrollably in the rear , a tick-tick noise comes from behind that cover as well (in rhythmic fashion w/ the actuator).
The dash continues to show on/off : " unlock tailgate to open". If I drive, the dash minimizes the MPH to its top, and the center stage is occupied by the " unlock .....to open".
If I lock the truck completely and only hit the unlock once (for the driver door), the rest (including the tailgate remains locked, but the dash warning continues there.
I turned of the vehicle and all lights, locked the truck, and went home.
Next day : truck completely OUT , no power whatsoever. When I' ve opened the driver side door, slight electric burning smell is noted.
Obviously there is a short/ electric x somewhere, with some sort of parasitic consumption as well.

Went to the dealer (I have MOPAR warranty), two days there, that told me they found the issue the second day as : connector XY400A ( at BCM), they found it to be bent and signs of corrosion, cleanse them, dialectic greased it and reconnect.
$ 108.38 deductible, driving home, same problem again.

Of course they told me previously to "fix it", that if problems persist , each time I ' ll bring the truck there, ANOTHER DEDUCTIBLE WILL BE CHARGED...., even though they didn't fix the problem to start with.....

Has anyone have had a problem like this?, and if so, what was the issue?
Please any help is appreciated.
Piemontes.

 

[RedcardRam]

I had a warranty issue again couple months ago....similarly the truck would continually try and unlock itself until the keyfob wouldn't work anymore.
Leave it a hour or so and it would work again.
Turned out it was the passenger passive entry outer handle.
Took back to the dealer after they ordered the part . Left it there and picked up at the end of the day only to hear the wrong part came.
I ******* and told them it was costing me money to take time off work and take a ferry.
When the right part came, they covered the deductible.

Doesn't hurt to ***** sometimes.


Have you tried turning toa single press to unlock everything and see if that affects this issue?
It sounds to me it may be related to the passive entry if equipped.

 

[piemontes]

Hi RedcardRam, I do not have passive entry in this one.
Like i said , when I lock the truck all noises stop and tailgate remains locked. If I hit unlock x 1 (just for driver door), tailgate remains close, but message continues on screen. If I hit lock x2 (when locked), everything unlocks , and tailgate (and whatever is making the noise in the cabin), starts again together .

 

[RedcardRam]

I am unfamiliar if this is a 4th or 5th gen.
Does it have a push button to open the tailgate?

It sounds to me like the actuator to open the tailgate is stuck in unlock/open ...a senor or button that is telling the tailgate to open.
This could also be a short somewhere.

Try disconnecting the wiring harness to the tailgate....does the noise persist?
Does the warning light go away??

 

[GTyankee]

Besides everything else ...

THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
has a section where you report issue similar to yours
If your tailgate should drop, you would scare the crap out of drivers that see it

Report a Safety Problem | NHTSA

File a complaint with NHTSA if you experienced a vehicle, tire, car seat or equipment safety problem that could be a safety defect.

www.nhtsa.gov

 

[RedcardRam]

There is a recall on the 4th gen actuators to unlock tailgate...check if this has been done yet.

 

[piemontes]

Besides everything else ...

THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
has a section where you report issue similar to yours
If your tailgate should drop, you would scare the crap out of drivers that see it

Report a Safety Problem | NHTSA

File a complaint with NHTSA if you experienced a vehicle, tire, car seat or equipment safety problem that could be a safety defect.

www.nhtsa.gov

Hi Gt, I know it could potentially be a problem. Obviously I am not driving w/ anything in the bed (I ve even took my bed extender out). Tailgate not necessarily opens all the way, but it does un lock and remains held by the hard bed cover. I will report the issue though and the dealer if they are not reacting positively to my issue and fix it. (Mopar usually sides w/ customers when things are not been resolved under their warranty).

 

[piemontes]

There is a recall on the 4th gen actuators to unlock tailgate...check if this has been done yet.

I will mention that to them as well tomorrow, but I believe it was only for 4th gen. not 5th.

 

[Dusty]

Being a 2020 it could possibly be a battery issue as there have been strange symptoms associated with intermittently failing batteries in that model year. Also, if it does it again try disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes and see what happens.

As an aside troubleshooting help will be greatly enhanced if you provide current mileage, trim level (Tradesman, Big Horn, etc.) and any past repair history, especially if it could be related to your issue.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 128765 miles.

 

[Marshall]

I have not seen or heard anything on a recall for the 4 th gen tail gate latch, Mine had been working fine, on my 14, maybe newer years?

 

[BuschLatte420]

I have not seen or heard anything on a recall for the 4 th gen tail gate latch, Mine had been working fine, on my 14, maybe newer years?

My 2022 classic has a perfectly working tailgate lol

 

[Adamcr68]

I have not seen or heard anything on a recall for the 4 th gen tail gate latch, Mine had been working fine, on my 14, maybe newer years?

When I got my 15’ in 19’ had to sign something small used dealer to release them? because it had open recall for the tailgate. They offered to get it done but I didn’t want to wait & took to dealership myself. I forget the actual part, something with the latch that could fail letting the tailgate open while driving, dropped it off in the morning & went back to pick up on my lunch break.

 

[Marshall]

But then again, I could have forgot , I remember silly stuff from 60 yrs ago, but wonder around in the store wondering what she wanted. Pretty sure it was not more tools.
I am sure I don't have any recalls, but have not checked for a while. I have a bit of trouble when it's real cold and the weather stripping I have on the tail gate gets stiff at -30, I have to make sure the latches trip. Warm weather is no problem.
I could back off the latch , but never bothered.

 

[huntergreen]

The dealership should warranty their woke. I wouldn’t pay another deductible.

 

[jggonz00]

Hello there, i am having a rather annoying problem that started all of the sudden and persisted since then.
I was walking from the back of the truck (2020 RAM 1500 Bighorn/Hemi), I've unlocked it, and started to hear a noise from the back as I was opening the driver door. Went there and I've heard/saw the tailgate opening, close it , did it again, and again.
Inside the cabin, right below the steering wheel there is a plastic cover w/ two bolts, while the tailgate actuator sounds and keeps working uncontrollably in the rear , a tick-tick noise comes from behind that cover as well (in rhythmic fashion w/ the actuator).
The dash continues to show on/off : " unlock tailgate to open". If I drive, the dash minimizes the MPH to its top, and the center stage is occupied by the " unlock .....to open".
If I lock the truck completely and only hit the unlock once (for the driver door), the rest (including the tailgate remains locked, but the dash warning continues there.
I turned of the vehicle and all lights, locked the truck, and went home.
Next day : truck completely OUT , no power whatsoever. When I' ve opened the driver side door, slight electric burning smell is noted.
Obviously there is a short/ electric x somewhere, with some sort of parasitic consumption as well.

Went to the dealer (I have MOPAR warranty), two days there, that told me they found the issue the second day as : connector XY400A ( at BCM), they found it to be bent and signs of corrosion, cleanse them, dialectic greased it and reconnect.
$ 108.38 deductible, driving home, same problem again.

Of course they told me previously to "fix it", that if problems persist , each time I ' ll bring the truck there, ANOTHER DEDUCTIBLE WILL BE CHARGED...., even though they didn't fix the problem to start with.....

Has anyone have had a problem like this?, and if so, what was the issue?
Please any help is appreciated.
Piemontes.

My truck just starting doing this last week. Put a new battery in it and the problem continued. Disconnected battery for 3 days until I could get it to the dealership and they said they couldn’t find any issues. Got it home and today 4 days later it was dead. Jump started it and tailgate popping open and clicking under the dash

 

[RamCares]

I will mention that to them as well tomorrow, but I believe it was only for 4th gen. not 5th.

Dealer related concerns are never fun and we totally understand. If support is needed in any facet, please connect with us directly. and we will see where assistance can be given.

Chris,
Ram Cares