Adding a Physical Interior Liftgate Power Switch

[kiowa1021]

Nope, can't do that. The liftgate switch mounts where the MME has the Max Defrost switch. The 2021 Job2 cars and newer have the traction control switch. This photo shows my replacement 2021 switch (the 2021 and Job1 2022 cars had a bug in the headlight switch so I bought a replacement after Ford fixed it) with the liftgate switch in the cluster, and the original 2024 switch that it replaced in my 2024 GT (I put the original switch back into my 2021 when I traded it in). ??

I was holding out hope that the liftgate switch might be usable in both the left/right positions on the cluster. Since that’s not the case I’ll just sacrifice the max defrost switch. Thank you!

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[mkhuffman]

I was holding out hope that the liftgate switch might be usable in both the left/right positions on the cluster. Since that’s not the case I’ll just sacrifice the max defrost switch. Thank you!

As Steve pointed out, the hatch button snaps onto the left side of the switch assembly, so you can't put it on the right side. However, you might be able to do something with that unused traction control button from the GT.

 

[JoeyD]

Nope, can't do that. The liftgate switch mounts where the MME has the Max Defrost switch. The 2021 Job2 cars and newer have the traction control switch. This photo shows my replacement 2021 switch (the 2021 and Job1 2022 cars had a bug in the headlight switch so I bought a replacement after Ford fixed it) with the liftgate switch in the cluster, and the original 2024 switch that it replaced in my 2024 GT (I put the original switch back into my 2021 when I traded it in). ??

I just purchased this on ebay and want to make sure this hatch switch will fit and work in the headlamp switch assembly I have now.

 

[markboris]

I just purchased this on ebay and want to make sure this hatch switch will fit and work in the headlamp switch assembly I have now.

That liftgate switch should work in our headlamp switch assembly. I don't think it makes a difference what car the assembly is made for, as long as it has that liftgate switch on the left side, it should work.

On a side note, when I got my '24 I went the fast route and used my park assist switch to open and close the liftgate. Problem was, in my '21 I used the park assist switch to turn on/off the camera and got so used to it that I recently changed out the MAX defrost switch for a used Explorer liftgate switch so I can use the park assist switch for the cameras again. I like to activate the cameras each time I park to make sure I am between the parking lines and don't like fiddling with the screen to turn on the camera.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I just purchased this on ebay and want to make sure this hatch switch will fit and work in the headlamp switch assembly I have now.

As Mark said, just use the switch. The rest of the cluster is unnecessary. ??

 

[mkhuffman]

That liftgate switch should work in our headlamp switch assembly. I don't think it makes a difference what car the assembly is made for, as long as it has that liftgate switch on the left side, it should work.

On a side note, when I got my '24 I went the fast route and used my park assist switch to open and close the liftgate. Problem was, in my '21 I used the park assist switch to turn on/off the camera and got so used to it that I recently changed out the MAX defrost switch for a used Explorer liftgate switch so I can use the park assist switch for the cameras again. I like to activate the cameras each time I park to make sure I am between the parking lines and don't like fiddling with the screen to turn on the camera.

 

[HughJazzol]

Aghhhh
EPISODE 2 of this with a better and butt crimper.
I start by thanking @markboris for his endless help with this.

I had previously run a wire from the PA button to the BCM module, but the brown wire from that module was looking rather thin, so I decided to cut it and splice it with the butt connector.
For my wire from the PA button to the BCM, I used a solid 18 gauge wire because it's all that I had available. It should have been stranded perhaps, I know.

So, I crimped the 2 ends - brown end and my wire to one side wrapped together, and the other brown end to the other side of the connector. It felt like a good crimp.
With the car in accessory mode, this is what happened:
1. Pressing PA did not open the door.
2. Using the screen button opened the door. Phew.
3. Using the door's black button did nothing. Crap.
4. Using the PA or the door's button DID close the door and even allowed me to stop a closure or opening.

So it seems that the PA and door buttons can't be the first action to take place, but can do a secondary one = close or pause it.
My only ways to open the door are with the screen button or the keyfob press.
Is the solid wire the culprit perhaps, as Mark may have mentioned??? Is there another wire involved???

If anyone wants to come over to scratch your head with me, bring rum.

 

[raffig]

The doors have to be in unlock mode for the PA button to work, via this hack

 

[HughJazzol]

The doors have to be in unlock mode for the PA button to work, via this hack

Raffi
If you were a female, I would fly to CA and kiss you. Otherwise, I will buy you a bottle of something.
Holy cow.

In accessory mode, pressed unlock doors button, and the PA opened the trunk.
I closed it all up and locked it, pressed the door's black button, and it opened up.

I keep scratching my head, but I thank you immensely Raffi.

 

[raffig]

You are welcome, I recently did this hack myself, but I had the fortunate chance to get Mark Boris' guidance at the last NorCal meetup.

 

[HughJazzol]

You are welcome, I recently did this hack myself, but I had the fortunate chance to get Mark Boris' guidance at the last NorCal meetup.

yes, he's offered to help several times, but Florida is a bit of a stretch for his EV....

So, your statement helped to clarify, obviously, but I'm still dumbfounded on why the door's black button failed when I first posted a while back. It's as though other actions make it fail momentarily, and then activate it suddenly.

 

[MoonRiver]

[QUOTE=" I took a look at the wiring diagram and found that both momentary switches in the liftgate do nothing more than short an incoming wire from the BCM to ground. [/QUOTE]

I wonder if you have the wiring diagram of the switch in the gate to share. I am thinking about using the switch to activate my power lift gate,

 

[markboris]

I wonder if you have the wiring diagram of the switch in the gate to share. I am thinking about using the switch to activate my power lift gate,

The switch in the liftgate (center switch between the two license plate lights) has a two wire connector going to it. One of the wires is solid brown. This is the same brown wire that I mention in the first post of this thread that I tapped into at the BCM to activate the liftgate. That brown wire at the liftgate switch goes from there to the BCM in the front under the passenger footwell. So you can either run a wire from the BCM or from the liftgate. Applying a ground to that brown wire no matter where you tap into it, will open/close the liftgate.

 

[MoonRiver]

The switch in the liftgate (center switch between the two license plate lights) has a two wire connector going to it. One of the wires is solid brown. This is the same brown wire that I mention in the first post of this thread that I tapped into at the BCM to activate the liftgate. That brown wire at the liftgate switch goes from there to the BCM in the front under the passenger footwell. So you can either run a wire from the BCM or from the liftgate. Applying a ground to that brown wire no matter where you tap into it, will open/close the liftgate.

Perfect. My power lift strut module, as I learnt from others, will be on the gate by the hatch, I was thinking about tapping into the gate button switch, but didn't know which wire would be. Your reply along with the diagram helps a lot.

 

[markboris]

Perfect. My power lift strut module, as I learnt from others, will be on the gate by the hatch, I was thinking about tapping into the gate button switch, but didn't know which wire would be. Your reply along with the diagram helps a lot.

Let me know if you need any more help with your project.

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