Fixing a broken Suburban tailgate

The electric liftgate on my 2007 Chevy Suburban stopped working. I take some stuff apart to diagnose it... and replace the latch mechanism.

[@seanventi3726]

Thanks for this video! I replaced this in my 2008 suburban, took me about 30 minutes, super easy. The part was very expensive at $169 at O'Reillys, part number DLA1017, but could not take fighting with the damn tailgate any longer.

[@roycep8457]

Thank you so much! My 2007 Escalade tailgate was not opening. Making noise where it would try to open. Changed the tailgate lock latch actuator, problem fixed.

[@jpalmer8481]

Would your gate open and close manually? Mine will open and close manually but not auto.

[@stephenreilly780]

Super job! Thank you so much! I can not express how much this is going to help me. My symptoms are the same on a 2008 Suburban. I would have suspected the lift actuator as you did and not the door lock actuator. Those internal switches are the got yah and hard having no code machine. I intend to tackle this issue in the near future and when I do I will let you know how it all came out.

[@keepit100tho]

How did it come out?

[@johnstangisjr2502]

I know this is a older video, BUT !! I have been looking for this exact video for a while. Thank you 🙏 Thank you 🙏 You just answered all my questions. Great job 👏

[@MrSilvernblackblood]

Great video well explained, helped me out a bunch.

[@steemo1385]

Thank you for being thorough about what you found and diagnose. I was just about to do the same job you did. I might just get a latch and see if that works 1st

[@eberturcios7615]

did you find out if it was just the latch? or did you have to replace the motor as well?

[@zr1sparky1]

Appreciate the detail with which you describe the functionality, thx

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

The 2011 to 2013 Suburban's are the best years, they fixed all the bugs by then on this body style. ;)

[@ANDRSNWA]

I tried this and it worked. Thank you so much for this video on dyi

[@elmoy5759]

Good video thanks.

[@austink7483]

Had problems appearing with the auto opening and turned it off. Was opening by hand and then it all stopped working. NO AUTO OR MANUAL DOOR OR WINDOW LATCH - ALL 4 OPTIONS LOCKED Sounds like the dealership might be worth it to run the computer and get specific with mine. 2008 GMC Yukon

[@azizsa1971]

Thank you, brother :) You helped me .. I wish you could put the part number so that I can buy it for my car

[@20tea]

️Rear Tailgate Lock Actuator 13581405 For ChevrGMC Cadillac w/Power Liftgate EF

[@azizsa1971]

@@20tea Thank you brother for your response..I will buy it now 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 🙏🏻

[@ronr6905]

Hi Van,, Great Work,, can you tell me whats the number for that lift support that goes to the motor? im missing mine and need to replace it,, if you could help me w that ? thanks

[@GetOutside38]

Hello there, my rear lift gate is grinding for the first second or two when lifting. The noise is coming from the driver side rear interior quarter panel. Is this the issue you had? The motor lifts the door fine aside from the grinding at start. Is this a problem with the latch actuator on the door?

[@nicholee7354]

I know this is a super old video. Ours we can open and shut manually, but when you try it automatically it won’t open or close. It acts like it wants to you can hear all the motors running but it won’t actually lift up any or close any. We have replaced the motor and the lift gate actuator which I think was the clutch thing on the left side under the panel, but still doing the same thing. We did all this before seeing your video. Could this be our problem too do you think?

[@mohamadnader9502]

Hi van, thank you for sharing this video, i got one question, with me the tailgate will open half way only, but when i try to close its not working is it possible that my problem will be the same from this latch..!! By the way i have an Escallade 2007

[@elmoy5759]

It's the 2 struts on your tail gate.

[@mystical_raze3646]

On my 08 tahoe, when I press the button on the remote or on the inside of the truck, the rear lights don't flash, neither when i press on the release switch, outside, do you know what might be the problem, could it be a relay fuse

[@joseovega]

Van. Did did you have an issue closing the tailgate as well? I'm having issue with mine. I have to press the tailgate handle switch open it slightly wail couple secs than I can manually open it. But on mine I can auto close it eaither. I can hear the motor running and stuff but nothing happens. Any insight on this.?

[@vsvenson]

I could open and close it manually. Sounds like you might have to start by investigating the lifting motor in the side of the trunk.

[@STEEZO]

So when the motor disengages how do I fix that? I believe that’s the issue I’m having

[@EBproperties]

these "fail" because often the struts have weakened (or failed) by now (and people dont realize it) so much like a garage door opener failing bc the garage springs have failed, the lift is working harder than it should and/or the clutch kicks in and disengages the lift motor (as a safety feature)

[@YungJosh50]

Hey Van. Hope all is well.

[@stewartjackson7020]

What was the door doing prior to fixing? Mine is stuck closed unless I open with the manual hidden lever on locking mechanism. The locking mechanism makes a little noise, I get rear hatch open Message, temporarily then all quiet. I did replace the locking mechanism, albeit aftermarket part. I did remove the Rear hatch Open Message (originally on full time) by removing battery cables to rest computer. All that, and tail gate still not operating.

[@vsvenson]

Mine was stuck closed. Your aftermarket part didn't work at all?

[@stauffer65]

I have a 2009 Yukon. My lift gate goes up and gives a thump when fully opened. But does not come back down. Is this a sign of that gear beginning bad. Trying very hard to figure it out but know one knows. Your vid is helping. Did yours do what mine is doing.? Every onece in a great while it will go down buy pushing the button but mostly manually. Can you help. Thanks

[@vsvenson]

No, mine didn't do that. I think you might have a problem with the mechanism in the side panel. Good luck!

[@capitalr8649]

Same issue I have. I already replace the lock actuator and struts.

[@m0th.shroommm]

I have a 2007 tahoe. Replaced the locking actuator, replaced struts and the support bar that attaches to the motor. When I manually press the button to open the liftgate, I hear it unlock and it pushes out maybe one inch. Then it pulls the liftgate shut and locks again. I wonder if this is the actual liftgate motor that you removed at first????? Someone please help, it's driving me nuts.

[@20tea]

You figure out the issue?

[@m0th.shroommm]

@@20tea So far, nope. All roads lead to a bad motor, just haven't been able to replace it yet.

[@20tea]

I fixed mine. The tailgate latch has some sensors in it. If any of them go bad, them it'll tell the computer to not actuate the lift arm motor. After i replaced the latch, all was good again.

[@2jzfrank]

I’m having problems with mine now it unlocks fine but as soon as it’s starts lifting makes noise like the gears are skipping really loud noise from the side panel you first took off I haven’t had time to look in to it but when I do I’m gonna take that panel off I’m gonna go inside open it and see if I could see it skip or something

[@vsvenson]

Yes, that sounds like the lifting motor has some issue. If you open and close the hatch by hand, does it move freely? Meaning the hinges aren't rusted up?

[@GetOutside38]

This is this issue I'm having. Is it the latch on door or the lift motor?

[@2jzfrank]

Van Svenson yes it moves freely, if the truck is parked on a slightly hill it will struggle to go up sometimes won’t even go up it will close again, i learn to live with it now I own the truck for two years already, but thanks for the help

[@michaelmcwatters4796]

Have you ever taken the actuator apart? I found the problem and I believe fixed it but it's a jigsaw to get back together

[@bighomieced4277]

Hi, my 2008 suburban liftgate unlatches then tries to open, however, I can hit either 3 buttons to unlatch it then manually lift the gate, but I have to hold it open. Would that be the hydraulic system and pneumatic arms ...?

[@20tea]

I believe if it attempts to open a few inches or so, then the struts are bad. Otherwise it could be a bad latch that sends a signal to the computer telling the pneumatic arm not to open. If the arm was bad, i believe you'd hear it 'whirl' near the driver's side rear fender. A bad latch may still open the door, but may have cycling issues telling the computer not to auto open the gate.

[@jeffbrowning3513]

I had issues after having some body work done on my rear bumper (never had issues prior to that work) but the dealer said it wasn't there fault it just happened to stop working while they had it...yeah right. Anyway I replaced the exact motor/ latch you replaced and mine went halfway down but that was it, still won't work. I actually have to release it with the handle and open it just a few inches and wait for the motor to run again and shut it so the interior lights go off. Can't figure it out. Any thoughts?

[@vsvenson]

Hmm... that does sound odd. Are you sure there are no obstructions or any stiffness that's triggering the motor to stop? Otherwise, you might have to plug it into a computer - like a SnapOn or Tech2 - and look at each of the switches' and sensors' values. There's some good documentation online to tell you what the values should be at the different positions.

[@20tea]

You solve the issue? Was it the lift gate motor?

[@shep427]

So, even though it appeared to be the lift motor it was the latch motor? I’ve got the same issue with 2007 Denali and would much rather replace the latch motor.

[@vsvenson]

Yes, that's right. The latch motor was bad on mine.

[@comaradelee]

is this where you get the ghost continues locking even when the gate is closed? when i drive, my suburban keeps locking my door and having chimes saying my "rear access open"

[@vsvenson]

The latch mechanism has a switch to know it's closed, so that may be your problem.

[@comaradelee]

is the the issue with Rear Access Open and has the Intermittent Door Lock Cycling and draining battery? I have issues with this

[@vsvenson]

It might be - a good scanner computer (GM Tech 2 or SnapOn) can help you diagnose exactly what step of the process is failing.

[@comaradelee]

@@vsvenson found out that the rear tailgate actuator is loose.

[@Jtavera67]

Do you have a prt number or where you get it

[@ericriedesel1338]

Super video. I got as far as pulling the side panel and unhooking the speaker. Was thinking it was the motor on the 1st part of your video before you scanned it and went to a buddy's shop? Mine will open and close no problem. Just won't do it automatically. It still makes the noise and goes thru it's cycle without action. No matter if I have the console switch on or off. But. Would you recommend me getting a scan tool and ordering the part or replace the motor you did ? And could you give me a part number or correct name for the part. Sorry if I missed it. Great video. Thanks a bunch!!

[@vsvenson]

I think you'd need an expensive SnapOn or Tech2 scan tool... I ended up replacing the latch assembly - there was a microswitch in that causing the problem and making the computer think the hatch wasn't closed.

[@jasontorrez3071]

What I do the tail gate won't open even if we unlock it's like if the hitches are stuck shut

[@vsvenson]

Are you able to take that cover off and access the little lever I point out?

[@tonycastro6154]

1:32,,,there is a you tube video where a guy shows how to drill a hole towards the middle hatch inside plastic,,has a little mark to drill a holw than you can slide something thin to do exaclty this to release the hatch,,,,

[@bls2935]

Hello Van,so before you replace the latch mechanism you still were able to open the door manually?

[@vsvenson]

Gabriel M yes, it will still work manually.

[@kjharris2973]

Did u have to reset the remote?

[@vsvenson]

No, I didn't. Once I replaced the switch/latch, it just worked fine.

[@B_HarTz]

Mines the opposite , the button to my rear window won’t open when I push the button but the hatch itself unlocks and opens normally... anyone else have this issue ?

[@20tea]

Bad button for the window.

[@ChinGyi-cz6ed]

0:56 😂😂