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2020 Nautilus Power Liftgate Acting Up - What's Going On?

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Rachel A. · rep 0 · May 22, 6:12 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve

Hey everyone,

I'm having a persistent issue with the power liftgate on my 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve. Sometimes it opens fine, but other times it stops halfway, or won't open at all from the button inside or the key fob. It's really frustrating, especially when my hands are full.

I've tried manually assisting it, but it feels like there's some resistance. There's no warning light on the dash, and the car's battery seems fine. Is this a common problem with these models?

Has anyone else experienced this with their Nautilus or similar Lincoln SUV? What was the fix? I'm trying to figure out if this is something I can troubleshoot myself or if it's definitely a dealer visit.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 6:12 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

The power liftgate on your 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve can experience intermittent issues due to several common culprits. This is a frequent concern for owners of various SUVs equipped with power liftgates.

  1. Check for Obstructions: Before anything else, ensure there are no physical obstructions in the liftgate's path or around the latch mechanism. Even a small object can trigger the anti-pinch safety feature, causing it to stop or reverse.
  2. Inspect Liftgate Struts: Over time, the gas-charged struts that assist in opening and holding the liftgate can weaken. If they're failing, the motor has to work harder, leading to intermittent operation or the gate not holding its position. You might notice the gate feeling heavier to open manually.
  3. Power Liftgate Motor/Actuator: The electric motor and actuator assembly is responsible for the liftgate's movement. A failing motor can cause inconsistent operation, stopping mid-way, or complete failure.
  4. Wiring and Connectors: Damaged or corroded wiring and loose connectors within the liftgate harness can disrupt communication and power supply to the motor and sensors. This is often an intermittent issue.
  5. Liftgate Control Module (LCM) or Body Control Module (BCM): The electronic control module overseeing the liftgate operation can sometimes develop software glitches or hardware failures. A simple reset (disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes) might resolve minor software issues, but persistent problems point to a deeper electrical fault.
  6. Calibration Issues: Sometimes, the liftgate's open/close limits can become uncalibrated. Consult your owner's manual for a procedure to recalibrate the liftgate's travel.

When to See a Shop: If the issue persists after checking for obstructions and attempting a battery reset, it's advisable to have a qualified technician inspect your vehicle. They can perform diagnostic scans to check for any stored Body Control Module (BCM) or Liftgate Control Module (LCM) fault codes, even if no dashboard warning lights are present. Common diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to liftgate issues might include B-codes (Body codes) such as B1A00 (Control Module), B1A28 (Liftgate Motor Circuit), or B1A30 (Liftgate Position Sensor). A professional can accurately diagnose whether the problem lies with the struts, motor, wiring, or a control module, ensuring the correct repair is made.

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