Adding a Physical Interior Liftgate Power Switch

[SashaLondon]

Isnt this coming via an OTA to the screen?

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[Chuck]

Isnt this coming via an OTA to the screen?

It's already on the screen. But it takes 3 taps and the car has to be on or in accessory mode.

 

[markboris]

How does one open the console?

I described this in the first post #1 Just lift up on the cover

Isnt this coming via an OTA to the screen?

You are thinking of the frunk which is supposed to have an update at some point to open electrically. The rear hatch can already be opened up via the main screen. However the ignition must be on and you have to go through three steps to do it. My fix was to install a switch just like the ones that came standard on my 2020 Mustang, 2016 Focus, 2014 Escape, where I can just push a button without having the ignition on and the rear hatch/trunk opens.

 

[DJJeffT]

How does one open the console?

Pull straight up.

 

[mamejunkie]

Amazing. This would solve one of the few issues I have with my Mach-E. Seems easy enough to DYI. What gauge wires are these? If we want to keep the button near the front instead of the console, I assume there is a ground at/near the BCM to tap into.

 

[markboris]

Amazing. This would solve one of the few issues I have with my Mach-E. Seems easy enough to DYI. What gauge wires are these? If we want to keep the button near the front instead of the console, I assume there is a ground at/near the BCM to tap into.

I used 22 gauge wire I believe. Doesn't need to be anything heavy. There are a lot of grounds at most all the switches, etc. I was going to install the switch to the right of the round headlamp control where there is small blank spot but decided wanted the button hidden.

 

[Chuck]

Does this mod also close the hatch if it's open?

 

[DJJeffT]

Does this mod also close the hatch if it's open?

It does

 

[jdwagner888]

While I do use the rear hatch somewhat often, I always kick under the bumper to open it (had an Escape for 4 years and was use to it) but rarely need to open or close it from the inside. I was at a friends this morning who also has a Mach-E and she said the one thing she misses is a simple power button to open and close the rear hatch. She doesn't like having to turn the car to accessory mode and make three selections on the center screen. She just wants to push a button.

I thought it couldn't be that difficult to wire up a switch to do this and I was right. I took a look at the wiring diagram in the repair manual and found that both momentary switches in the rear hatch do nothing more than short an incoming wire from the BCM to ground. The BCM is located at the front passenger footwell at the top. Extremely easy to access just remove the panel that hides it and you can get to the wiring. The wire that is needed to tap into is solid brown and located at the large top plug connection. I tapped into it and ran the wire to the center console where I installed a small momentary switch just below my subwoofer volume control. For the ground I used the black/blue wire going to the parking brake switch in the console. All the black/blue wires throughout the car are grounds. I had this momentary switch laying around but I am going to change it out with one that is much flatter.

I now have a working power button that will open and close the rear hatch from inside the car without having your key fob, phone or needing to turn on the car. The car still needs to be in Park for it to operate just as before. It works just like the one in my 2014 Escape did. I could have mounted the switch is several easy to see locations but like to conceal my work (like I did the subwoofer volume control) so nothing looks "added on". Just drop your hand down in front of the console and they are both easy to use. Besides if I ever needed to remove it, all I'd have to do is put a little flat plug in the hole and no one would know any different.

It took me about an hour to do the entire thing but now that I did it, when I do hers, probably should only take 30 minutes. I took quick photos of where I tapped into the wiring and it was before I permanently attached and taped up the wires.

Wow, what a fantastic write up. Where did you find a repair manual? I am looking to add a trailer wire harness to my MME and need to figure out what wires in the tail lights to tap into.

im hoping I can wire in a harness without needing relays and source power.

 

[markboris]

Wow, what a fantastic write up. Where did you find a repair manual? I am looking to add a trailer wire harness to my Mach-E and need to figure out what wires in the tail lights to tap into.

im hoping I can wire in a harness without needing relays and source power.

HI Jeff, I usually get them at factory-manuals.com but there are other places you can them also.

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

The best options are the center screen

and the home page of your FordPass app.

Awesome, I'll have to practice this now that football practice carpooling has started. When I turn the car off, I do get an open hatch icon in the bottom of the main display, no tapping through screens. But the main screen turns off as soon as a door is opened, which is usually the exact instant the car comes to a stop when I'm ferrying 3 middle school boys.

 

[RickMachE]

So to be clear, the momentary switch is simply giving a ground to open/close the hatch, correct?

 

[Shayne]

Isnt this coming via an OTA to the screen?

It is already there and is easy to access in access. That is the 2021 button. There are 5 way of opening the rear hatch which is plenty for most users. For those it is not they can install a sixth.

It's already on the screen. But it takes 3 taps and the car has to be on or in accessory mode.

The hatch is available after it is powered off? Some are greyed out but not it. Does it not default to the access screen when not on (but a key) with the hatch the only one available? Two taps then and so much work ?. The screen is a button? People should count how many times they tap their phone a day. Just exhausting.

 

[DR.J56]

I’m glad this mod got posted. My wife is in a wheelchair and when I need to take her somewhere I have open and close the rear hatch 2 times every trip. My Explorer has the button which I would definitely miss not having in my MME. When the car finally gets here. I’ll be doing this mod.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Awesome, I'll have to practice this now that football practice carpooling has started. When I turn the car off, I do get an open hatch icon in the bottom of the main display, no tapping through screens. But the main screen turns off as soon as a door is opened, which is usually the exact instant the car comes to a stop when I'm ferrying 3 middle school boys.

Right. So best off placing the car in park and using the Access screen so you keep control. Later turn the car off. The other option is restricting the kids' movement until you open the lift gate. Verbal controls are likely pointless. You could use the door/window lock to keep them from getting out until you are ready. Of course, straight jackets would probably work best.

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