Lift Gate Ajar - umm... no it's not?

BrendonR · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:25 am

Hi All,

Been a LOOOOONNNNG time since I've been posting around here; hope everybody's doing well these days.

I've recently had an issue pop up that I'm hoping for a little bit of forum help on. As the subject states, I'm getting a liftgate ajar error messege in my EVIC display. The message is accompanied by the usual 'ding' and interior lights coming on, and when I set my alarm, or attempt to use my remote start (which activates the alarm first), the alarm goes off a few seconds later.

The issue is not active 100% of the time, as I just had it in the dealer who said they couldn't reproduce the problem. I had the alarm armed in my garage all night with no issues, however 3/4 of the way to work this morning, "DING!" and lights, and liftgate ajar.

I've found several threads related, and even a TSB (I'll reply to this thread shortly with some of these links if I can find them again); my dealership says that the build date of my KK doesn't fall into this TSB, however he did say that he's seen these a few times before, and every time, they've replaced the latch mechanism, and it fixes the error. Allegedly there's a micro-switch in the latch, which cannot be repaired or replaced, thus the whole latch has to be replaced.

Before dropping $400 on the repair, i thought I'd solicit Lost's opinions. Any suggestions folks? Does anybody have a diagram, or photos of the area/part numbers etc?

Thanks very much

BrendonR · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:30 am

A few similar issues:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f292/gate-light-alarm-sounding-1378322/

http://www.nitroforumz.com/threads/tailgate-liftgate-issue.37981/ <--- @Scar0 you actually posted in this thread from years ago

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f67/liftgate-open-third-time-886705/

Scar0 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2016 12:43 pm

Yes I did at that. LOL
Try loosening the latch catch loop on the floor and push it toward the drivers side, and re-tighten. You will have to lift up the plastic trim on the floor to get the to torx screws.
It won't move very far over, but it will most likely fix your problem.
If you need to replace the latch, don't pay a dealer to do it. It's not that hard to DIY, and the part should be around $80 + shipping, or $88.56 + free shipping, on Amazon. Part#: 4589131AG

EDIT:
If it is the glass latch your on your own. The KA does not have one. But the part # is 55396445AA

BrendonR · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2016 1:23 pm

Hmm... Well THAT's an interesting fix - thanks Scar0!

I've tried it at least, and so far it seems to be working. I did shove it over to the left (drivers side), which seemed to actually knock it cock-eyed a bit, and then closed the gate. The gate did seem to shut more 'securely', but then I noticed it was actually quite a bit askew once closed. So i pulled it all apart again, adjusted the latch-loop again (straightening it), and closed the gate. Again, seemed to shut more securely, and was a teeny bit askew, but a lot better, so i decided to leave it.

That was Saturday night, and so far so good.

Thanks again Scar0! If this fails, I'll go ahead and replace the latch mechanism myself next.

Appreciate the help.

Scar0 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2016 9:36 pm

Your welcome. Another KA owner discovered the catch move as a fix...
You may want to check the hinges to make sure they are tight also. If the hinges are loose, tighten them up. But, also loosen the catch again and move it back to the original position before closing the hatch.
As these rigs age, I think wear&tear is the cause of this problem.

Lift Gate Ajar - umm... no it's not?

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