Car Tailgate Switch
There’s a lot to like about modern vehicles, but one thing that can be frustrating is when you need to open or close your trunk and you can’t because you’re carrying something in your hand or your arms are full. That’s why some cars have a feature that allows you to power open and close the trunk with just a gesture.

This technology works by detecting motion of your foot underneath the sensor that’s built into the vehicle’s rear bumper. It’s important to note that this will only work when your car is parked and the key fob is within range of the sensors. This means that you won’t be able to use it when your hands are full or when you’re driving, which is a good idea for safety reasons.

To enable the Gesture Tailgate feature, locate the sensors located at the back of your car near the lower corners of the rear bumper. Using your foot, make a smooth kick and return motion underneath the sensor, allowing it to register your gesture. If your gesture is recognized, the vehicle’s indicator lights will flash to indicate that it’s working properly. You can then either open the trunk with a button on the instrument panel, your key fob, or a touchpad on the tailgate itself. You can also use the Lift-to-Close function, which will power the tailgate to lower if you lift up on the open gate slightly and hold it.

The reason that this feature is becoming increasingly popular is because of its convenience. It is especially useful for small-statured drivers who might find it difficult to operate the traditional tailgate handle and older people who don’t have the strength or flexibility to reach the handle with their hands. However, it’s important to note that the Gesture Tailgate feature should be used with caution because it can be dangerous if you try to open or close your tailgate while someone is standing directly behind it. This is because the pretensioned springs in the system are very strong and can cause a serious crush injury.

Having this feature can also be very helpful when loading up your truck for a trip. If you’re going on a hiking or camping expedition, this can save you the hassle of having to juggle bags while trying to keep an eye on your kids or pets. In addition, this technology can be very convenient for hauling luggage to and from the airport.

If your car’s trunk tailgate is not opening, you may need to replace the power liftgate switch. This is a fairly simple job, but it does require some mechanical skills and the use of some tools. You will need to remove the plastic clips that are attached to the lower portion of the liftgate, pry off any trim pieces that have screws underneath them with a trim tool, and then disconnect the electrical connectors on the lower and upper liftgate latch’s power close buttons from the vehicle’s wiring harness. Then you can test the thicker wires, which activate the liftgate actuator, for electrical current with a test light. If both the lower and upper switches don’t illuminate the test light, they’ll need to be replaced.