'01 T&C Rear Gate operation

[RonMur]

Can anyone tell me how the automatic lift rear gate works (sequence of events) and the location of any out-of-the-way switches? Is the gate lifted by the motor alone? Or is it assisted by the hydraulic lift rods? Our rear gate has been hit-and-miss for over a year now. Sometimes it will work, most of the time it doesn't. Had the dealer check it and they said they couldn't get it to fail for them.

When activated, the alarm will beep and you can hear the latch release, but the door does not raise. Does the latch releasing trigger the motor to lift? Is there some sort of relay? Or does the motor attempt to lift before the latch actually releases?

I can't find, in print, any diagrams of the switches/motors or the sequence of operations.

[hundahunta]

did the dealer state if there were any codes.

[RonMur]

The dealer said nothing about codes.

We had the van in for A/C service and asked them to check the gate while they had it. They said that they couldn't get it to fail (by switch or key remote) while they had it. And if it didn't fail to open, they couldn't diagnose it.

As for codes, I don't think there is a code for accessories or options. I think they are only for emission and driveline related issues.

I have a Haynes manual for the T&C but can't find any diagrams of the motor and latch or an explanation of how it works or how to troubleshoot it. I really don't want to throw money at it and replace the motor if it's not the problem.

[hundahunta]

there are codes for the liftgate. they may not turn on the engine light but it may be stored in the power liftgate module. there are multiple sensors in the latch and the motor assembly.