Adding a Physical Interior Liftgate Power Switch

[markboris]

Detailed photos would be awesome. Does the console come off by just pulling up?

Yes it does. I posted photos of that somewhere in this thread but there are four clips. Start at any corner and pull up. It feels like you will break it but you won’t.

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[Jeff-NoVA]

@markboris thanks again for your write up on this. So I have connected everything up as you have diagrammed but I’m having an odd issue. I obtained a tailgate switch from a 2021 Explorer headlamp switch assembly and replaced the max defrost switch. I ran the wiring as you diagrammed.

So what I’m currently having an issue with is that the tailgate switch does not activate the tailgate, but jostling the wire tap on either end (meaning, behind the headlamp switch or where it is connected into the BCM harness) activates the tailgate. So, I feel pretty confident I have the correct wire but this is obviously not working in the intended manner. Any suggestions?

 

[azerik]

Your wire tap is too big or the spades going into it, and I think you might have the normally closed side of the switch tapped (at the switch).
I'll be doing this soon as I get my hands on the switch, just really don't car to order an entire switch assembly to rob one switch from it.

 

[markboris]

As Erik said, one end or the other does not have a good connection. Check them again and I'm sure you will get it working.

 

[HuntingPudel]

@markboris thanks again for your write up on this. So I have connected everything up as you have diagrammed but I’m having an odd issue. I obtained a tailgate switch from a 2021 Explorer headlamp switch assembly and replaced the max defrost switch. I ran the wiring as you diagrammed.

So what I’m currently having an issue with is that the tailgate switch does not activate the tailgate, but jostling the wire tap on either end (meaning, behind the headlamp switch or where it is connected into the BCM harness) activates the tailgate. So, I feel pretty confident I have the correct wire but this is obviously not working in the intended manner. Any suggestions?

If jostling the wire causes it to work, there is an open circuit somewhere in the wire. I would crimp a new socket on a new wire, test continuity, and replace the existing wire. ??

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

If jostling the wire causes it to work, there is an open circuit somewhere in the wire. I would crimp a new socket on a new wire, test continuity, and replace the existing wire. ??

Thanks - I am going to try again -new wire, new taps - in the morning.

Edit:

Went back and checked everything. I had a continuity issue that I traced to the connection to pin 12 on the headlamp switch harness. Problem solved, liftgate button working great. I also used this as an opportunity to replace the headlamp switch, which was the old version and occasionally giving me trouble (i.e., lights on for no reason).

 

[ack154]

FINALLY took the time to do this and I already love it just testing in the garage.

I use my trunk ALL the time and mostly use the key to open it as I'm walking up. But when I go grocery shopping, my reusable bags are under the trunk floor, so I typically pop the trunk before I get out of the car. But I HATE doing it from the screen. It may just be two taps to open - but the delay to just load a screen is pathetic. And sometimes the first tap on the open button just doesn't work. Now it will work every time.

 

[Vice]

The external momentary switch for the rear hatch I installed in my Premium worked great but for my GT I decided to go the route that Pat (i8iridium) went a few posts above. Beings the GT has a slightly different headlamp switch assembly (has a traction control switch), I had to make a slight modification.

I bought the Bronco headlamp switch assembly (M1PZ-11654-AA). I removed the headlamp switch assembly out of my car and took it and the Bronco switches both apart. I replaced the Max Defrost sub switch on mine with the Hatch opening/closing sub switch of the Bronco's. They just snap in and out of the main switch assembly. On the connector at the back of the switch assembly, I installed a wire into Pin 12 and ran that to the brown wire at the top connector of the BCM.

This switch will open and close the liftgate when the car is on or off as long as the doors are unlocked and it is in park.

Hi Markboris,
When You do it like that, don't You need to have a ground wire ? Is it enough only with the brown wire ?

 

[ack154]

Hi Markboris,
When You do it like that, don't You need to have a ground wire ? Is it enough only with the brown wire ?

Having just done mine, there is no ground wire necessary. Literally just need to run the one wire from the switch to the brown wire in the harness.

 

[Vice]

Having just done mine, there is no ground wire necessary. Literally just need to run the one wire from the switch to the brown wire in the harness.

Super, thanks ?

 

[markboris]

Hi Markboris,
When You do it like that, don't You need to have a ground wire ? Is it enough only with the brown wire ?

As ack154 said above, there is no need for a ground wire. The reason is, there is already a ground wire going to this switch with the factory wires. When you push the liftgate button, it shorts pin 12 to ground.

 

[Vice]

As ack154 said above, there is no need for a ground wire. The reason is, there is already a ground wire going to this switch with the factory wires. When you push the liftgate button, it shorts pin 12 to ground.

Great ??

 

[Lev]

Guys, I’m struggling to find the inside button to activate the tailgate. Can someone upload an image. 2024 MachE. Thanks

 

[ack154]

Guys, I’m struggling to find the inside button to activate the tailgate. Can someone upload an image. 2024 MachE. Thanks

The only inside one from the factory is on the screen. If you press the settings/configuration button on the screen, it should be in the top right corner with the frunk button.

Other than that, you'd use your fob or the app (if you have PAAK set up). You can also do it with the keypad on the out side of the door, but I forget which key it is after you enter your door code.

This thread is actually about adding a physical button inside the car (mostly to replace the max defrost button left of the steering wheel).

 

[PalsyWalsy]

So I finally got off my duff (had it sitting in the garage for a year) and installed the button.
Works like a charm and immediately paid dividends as it went into use.

Here is my pup and her un-approving look of how long it took me to finally get to it.

I concur with others that installation is pretty straightforward and not too difficult. The only time consuming part was finding the brown (it is a grayish brown) wire, as mine was deep in the thick of the wires. And my only hiccup was I put it in pin 13 at first, but that was corrected quickly. Works awesome and actually makes sense.

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