EV Vida handsfree liftgate module...any reason to worry about accidental opening?

[nickff]

I am lookin' at installing a handsfree liftgate module from EV Vida.

Has anyone installed one and has it open unexpectedly...like in an automatic carwash or otherwise inopportune time?

Just curious if this is a concern or not...

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[Space_Pony]

I am lookin' at installing a handsfree liftgate module from EV Vida.

Has anyone installed one and has it open unexpectedly...like in an automatic carwash or otherwise inopportune time?

Just curious if this is a concern or not...

I installed one about 1.5 years ago and have had no unexpected openings or any other issues. I don't believe the kick to open will work unless you are carrying the fob or your phone. My cats are back in the barn and none in the garage. I suppose a cat could activate the door if you're standing nearby with your phone when it walks under the rear of your car. I've never washed the car in an automatic carwash. No problems when I manually wash the car.
Installation of that module was a bit complex and the last of ny brown hairs turned gray by the time I finished it.

 

[nickff]

I installed one about 1.5 years ago and have had no unexpected openings or any other issues. I don't believe the kick to open will work unless you are carrying the fob or your phone. My cats are back in the barn and none in the garage. I suppose a cat could activate the door if you're standing nearby with your phone when it walks under the rear of your car. I've never washed the car in an automatic carwash. No problems when I manually wash the car.
Installation of that module was a bit complex and the last of ny brown hairs turned gray by the time I finished it.

They make a plug and play version now. Hoping it isn't too bad to install. Thanks!

 

[Space_Pony]

Obviously you need a sensor near your bumper that will need to be installed. The photo that EVVIDA has doesn't show all of the contents that should be included. There used to be a linked video that showed how to install it. I wouldn't buy it without looking at the video. There were no installation instructions included.

 

[Space_Pony]

I found the video for you.

 

[rreddy3]

That is the older video. EV-Vida has two newer videos on their YouTube channel. One of them is specifically about the new harness. My understanding of the installation is it’s less complicated than with the original product. I’m considering it. I had an Acura with kick to open. Worked great and very useful if you’re lugging a big bag of ? food ?.

 

[nickff]

UPDATE: So, I installed the newer plug and play version by myself yesterday. Yes, it is likely easier than the version that utilizes the positaps...however, routing the wires through the rubber "tunnel" near the "hinge" of the liftgate was incredibly difficult. I ended up using a wire fish stick to get a shoelace through the tunnel and then I tied the shoelace to the wire connector and yanking it through. That is only half the difficult part though...getting the rubber tunnel to snap back over the plastic ovals was frustrating to say the least.

My hands hurt.

 

[640k]

UPDATE: So, I installed the newer plug and play version by myself yesterday. Yes, it is likely easier than the version that utilizes the positaps...however, routing the wires through the rubber "tunnel" near the "hinge" of the liftgate was incredibly difficult. I ended up using a wire fish stick to get a shoelace through the tunnel and then I tied the shoelace to the wire connector and yanking it through. That is only half the difficult part though...getting the rubber tunnel to snap back over the plastic ovals was frustrating to say the least.

My hands hurt.

I did exactly this to install my rear dashcam. I will NOT be touching that assembly again.

 

[nickff]

I did exactly this to install my rear dashcam. I will NOT be touching that assembly again.

Hahaha.

 

[grein002]

I installed mine last year. The only operational issue that I've had is occasionally when I am leaning into the rear to adjust cargo, I've accidentally triggered the system and it started closing on me. I've learned to keep my foot away from that area now when working in the rear hatch with it open. If I had it to do again, I might try to locate the sensor in a different area.

 

[nickff]

I installed mine last year. The only operational issue that I've had is occasionally when I am leaning into the rear to adjust cargo, I've accidentally triggered the system and it started closing on me. I've learned to keep my foot away from that area now when working in the rear hatch with it open. If I had it to do again, I might try to locate the sensor in a different area.

Good to know. I appreciate the response.

 

[SimonT]

Good to know. I appreciate the response.

UPDATE: So, I installed the newer plug and play version by myself yesterday. Yes, it is likely easier than the version that utilizes the positaps...however, routing the wires through the rubber "tunnel" near the "hinge" of the liftgate was incredibly difficult. I ended up using a wire fish stick to get a shoelace through the tunnel and then I tied the shoelace to the wire connector and yanking it through. That is only half the difficult part though...getting the rubber tunnel to snap back over the plastic ovals was frustrating to say the least.

My hands hurt.

Rubber grommet is no fun if you’re not used to it. Most of the videos on YT via EV Vida should cover the bulk of the installation. We try to cover all scenarios with the YT videos.

 

[Phantom E]

It's too late for you guys above, but that install video seems like it was made by someone who has never installed any type of automotive accessory. Following that video is doing it the HARD way.

I installed this in my wife's car and didn't go near the hatch. Instead I removed the passenger side rear interior trunk trim, as well as the plastic trim along the passenger side front and rear door sills, and made my connection to the brown lift gate wire located above the fuse panel in the passenger side foot well. This method is a hell of a lot easier to R&R panels and you don't have to drill either. The wire goes down through a grommet below the trunk panel and connects to unit under the bumper.

 

[SimonT]

It's too late for you guys above, but that install video seems like it was made by someone who has never installed any type of automotive accessory. Following that video is doing it the HARD way.

I installed this in my wife's car and didn't go near the hatch. Instead I removed the passenger side rear interior trunk trim, as well as the plastic trim along the passenger side front and rear door sills, and made my connection to the brown lift gate wire located above the fuse panel in the passenger side foot well. This method is a hell of a lot easier to R&R panels and you don't have to drill either. The wire goes down through a grommet below the trunk panel and connects to unit under the bumper.

Appreciate the feedbacks; I would agree when we did the first video, we just launched the product. Eager and excited to show others. We are not above critiques and criticism; it is all part of the learning curve.

Nonetheless, our goal is to constantly improve. This is why we recently designed a harness that’s plug n play with the hatch connector. We probably won’t be creating a plug n play connector with the BCM for our internal reasons.

I think it’s also important to note that your methodology requires the end user to extend the line and cut the sleeve to locate the brown wire in the BCM which is doable but our audience may be hesitant. Cheers for your method and for your support!

 

[Bayviews88]

Appreciate the feedbacks; I would agree when we did the first video, we just launched the product. Eager and excited to show others. We are not above critiques and criticism; it is all part of the learning curve.

Nonetheless, our goal is to constantly improve. This is why we recently designed a harness that’s plug n play with the hatch connector. We probably won’t be creating a plug n play connector with the BCM for our internal reasons.

I think it’s also important to note that your methodology requires the end user to extend the line and cut the sleeve to locate the brown wire in the BCM which is doable but our audience may be hesitant. Cheers for your method and for your support!

can you still order this aftermarket Liftgate from a U.S. vendor to avoid the current tariffs, and are there still installers who can help with putting this in a MachE? I’m in Northern CA with a 2022 CA RT1.

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