Sorry to hear you are having the same issue. It's an issue. Are you going to take it to your dealership? If you do, please firmly insist they open a ticket with Ford (because they won't be able to fix it).
‘24 Owners Who Removed Tailgate
- OP 🔹 cs0430
- Start date
Sorry to hear you are having the same issue. It's an issue. Are you going to take it to your dealership? If you do, please firmly insist they open a ticket with Ford (because they won't be able to fix it).
I went ahead and ordered the Gate King locking hinges so I won't be removing my tailgate for feedback like planned.
Hey @Chris-DTA
When the 'autofold side mirrors upon locking' option is selected in the onscreen menu, then the mirrors will fold when you lock the truck, be that with the lock button on the door, the keypad, or the fob lock button. However, with the "tailgate ajar" issue, none of those will autofold the mirrors because it thinks something is ajar. Same occurs if the passenger compartment has a door slightly ajar. The truck still locks, but the autofold mirrors don't fold in.
My wording wasn't clear in my original post regarding folding the mirror manually. I meant that I can still manually fold the side mirrors by hitting the mirror fold button inside the truck (on the door); not with the fob.
If you want an example of the impact to autofolding mirrors, turn on the autofolding mirrors via the screen menu and ensure it works by being outside the window and locking it by any method; the mirrors will autofold. When you unlock, they will auto-unfold. Now drop the tailgate, which simulates the tailgate ajar issue, and lock it again. I'd expect the truck to lock but the mirrors to not autofold.
Side note: I decided I don't like autofold anyway day-to-day because when I park in my shop, I want them closed, but I want to be able to get into the truck without them unfolding because then they are in the way when moving about the shop or working on the truck. Auto-fold is nice, however, when parking in public not only to keep them out of others way, but as a clear indicator, from a distance, that your remembered to lock the truck.
I just received my FORScan cable and so will start playing with that soon and one thing that sounds interesting is the Lincoln style autofold mirrors. My understanding is that it will automatically unfold when the driver's door is opened and then (A.) the door is shut while unlocked; or (B.) the ignition is started; whichever occurs first. The benefit of this style is the mirrors do not unfold immediately when unlocked. If you lock the door before closing it, they will not auto-unfold. You can unlock and grab something out the vehicle and relock before closing the door and they won't move. Or, you can hit the lock button before getting and close it and they won't unfold, but once you start the vehicle, then they will auto-unfold.
Of note, no matter what style autofold you have (the stock one or change to the Lincoln Style one), you can override it with the mirror fold button inside the truck. Meaning, if you have autofold option enabled, but manually fold the mirrors with the button inside the truck, you can then lock it (mirrors were already folded in), then later unlock it and the mirrors stay folded in rather than auto-unfolding. That is handy for those that have to have mirrors folded in when driving in and out of a tight garage spot, but still allows the autofold to work around town.
As for the tailgate ajar issue, please test it now rather than waiting until Sept. when your pickup arrives. Keep the tailgate on and just lower it to test all of this. See steps outlined above. When you find it the tailgate removal kit doesn't eliminate the tailgate ajar message and light, you can take it to the local dealership and open a ticket under warranty. (Doesn't matter that you bought at Granger; any dealership will take it and look at it).
Perhaps your need to remove the tailgate changed, but if your use case is leaving the tailgate on but running with it down for an extended period of time, a functional tailgate removal kit would be still nice as you could plug in the harness even though your tailgate is on and not have to OK away the Tailgate Ajar message for the duration of using it with tailgate down. Or, you can test it just to gather some data if you are curious if it works or not. No need to remove the tailgate. With the tailgate on but lowered, follow the steps/scenarios I posted earlier here: https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/24-owners-who-removed-tailgate.18096/page-2#post-380817.
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More data about the tailgate ajar and backup camera experiment.
As noted previously, I bought an OEM Ford part PJ7Z-19G490-B camera and an "RG58 Fakra Z Female to Fakra Z Female Coaxial RF Cable" for my '24. Both off ebay so there is the chance that is part of the problem. Ha. I tried this camera and cable on my '24 and it bricks all my other cameras, but the backup camera does work. Not sure if it was the camera or cable, but I returned the camera as I didn't want to miss the return window. I thought this was likely caused by the tailgate ajar issue and I'd have to be without backup camera until that was resolved.
I wanted more data so I pulled the tailgate out of storage, put it on a dolly and rolled it under the truck. Left all the other "tailgate removal kit" plugs in place and plugged in only the tailgate camera. With that plugged in, the backup camera works fine as do all the other cameras. Still not sure if it was the camera or cable I bought, but like I said, I returned the camera. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I'll find some time to remove the factory camera from the tailgate. Then, I'll try it with the Fakara cable I have (to determine if it's the cable or camera). If it works, I'll try to determine the part number from the factory tailgate camera and go from there.
So at this point, I don't know if the camera I bought (PJ7Z-19G490-B) was the wrong part number for my '24, was faulty, or this cable is faulty, but plugging the factory camera/camera plug proves it works fine even with the tailgate ajar issue. Happy about that.
I wanted to experiment a bit more to confirm which plug related to the tailgate ajar issue, even though all evidence pointed towards the large grey and black plugs with harness since the rest were just connector plugs. I removed each plug and hooked up the tailgate connector one at a time. No change until I plugged in both the large plugs. Once I did that, I could activate the electric tailgate release with key fob and the button on the dash (indicated by the noise from the electric tailgate release in the tailgate. The tailgate ajar light remained on, of course, but based on the info from the tech at Ford on how the tailgate ajar sensors works, I had one more experiment. The tailgate ajar sensors are within the tailgate latches themselves. They are simply checking to see if those latches are fully closed. It has nothing to do with sensing the position of the tailgate; only if those latches are fully closed. If they come open, then the sensors assume the tailgate has opened. I went to the tailgate and flipped both latches closed with my finger. Started the truck and no tailgate ajar message. Even though this was a very temporary situation, I sat and basked in the glory of that for a bit just because I've not started the truck for a month without that Tailgate Ajar message poking me in the eye. Ha. Little things. I enjoyed the lack of messages and warning lights for 10 seconds. Then I hit the tailgate open button on the dash (twice to release), heard the electric tailgate release trigger, both latches released, and my old friend, the 'tailgate ajar light', appeared as expected.
One more interesting thing that happened in the last couple weeks that, due to timing of it, I'm convinced is unrelated to the tailgate ajar message. I've started receiving a message that the 'Backup brake assist' is unavailable and to see owner's manual. Hadn't received that for all the weeks I had the tailgate off and tailgate ajar message. During my experiment plugging in the tailgate and tailgate camera, that allowed the backup lines to appear on the camera view as well as a little red indicator in a section where one of four backup sensors are located. It seemed to indicate an issue with that backup sensor. Hard to get to the plug that goes into that sensor, but tried to wiggle it and see if a connection was bad. Nothing changed. Tough situation as I'm sure Ford will say that message is related to the tailgate ajar issue and that is normal for the truck to disable 'Backup brake assist' with the tailgate off. But, I proved that is incorrect by plugging in all the factory tailgate harness, making the tailgate ajar message go away, yet still trigger the message that 'Backup brake assist' is unavailable and to see the owner's manual" when I put it in reverse along with three annoyingly loud chimes. The tailgate was on the ground by the dolly, so during all this testing, I would put the pickup into reverse, but not let the truck move, of course, but all results are valid even without the truck moving. It only cares what transmission gear is selected for the backup camera and rear sensor faults; not if the truck is actually moving.
Note that in my '24, one can disable the 'Backup brake assist' and sensors in the infotainment screen. When one does that, it will pop this message each time you put it in reverser saying "'Backup brake assist is Off'. That is a different message, but still, I went in and ensured backup assist was turned on. I turned it off, confirmed the message changed to "'Backup brake assist is Off' when putting in reverse. Then turned it back on. So for now, this seems related to one of my backup sensors not working, which they should even with the tailgate ajar message. This started after I was back from our UT trip, so there is a chance all the very rough trail driving caused on of the backups sensors to loose contact if they were not fully seated from the factory. Or, one is simply faulty. I plan to do a more details check of the harness and connectors in the coming weeks.
As noted previously, I bought an OEM Ford part PJ7Z-19G490-B camera and an "RG58 Fakra Z Female to Fakra Z Female Coaxial RF Cable" for my '24. Both off ebay so there is the chance that is part of the problem. Ha. I tried this camera and cable on my '24 and it bricks all my other cameras, but the backup camera does work. Not sure if it was the camera or cable, but I returned the camera as I didn't want to miss the return window. I thought this was likely caused by the tailgate ajar issue and I'd have to be without backup camera until that was resolved.
I wanted more data so I pulled the tailgate out of storage, put it on a dolly and rolled it under the truck. Left all the other "tailgate removal kit" plugs in place and plugged in only the tailgate camera. With that plugged in, the backup camera works fine as do all the other cameras. Still not sure if it was the camera or cable I bought, but like I said, I returned the camera. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I'll find some time to remove the factory camera from the tailgate. Then, I'll try it with the Fakara cable I have (to determine if it's the cable or camera). If it works, I'll try to determine the part number from the factory tailgate camera and go from there.
So at this point, I don't know if the camera I bought (PJ7Z-19G490-B) was the wrong part number for my '24, was faulty, or this cable is faulty, but plugging the factory camera/camera plug proves it works fine even with the tailgate ajar issue. Happy about that.
I wanted to experiment a bit more to confirm which plug related to the tailgate ajar issue, even though all evidence pointed towards the large grey and black plugs with harness since the rest were just connector plugs. I removed each plug and hooked up the tailgate connector one at a time. No change until I plugged in both the large plugs. Once I did that, I could activate the electric tailgate release with key fob and the button on the dash (indicated by the noise from the electric tailgate release in the tailgate. The tailgate ajar light remained on, of course, but based on the info from the tech at Ford on how the tailgate ajar sensors works, I had one more experiment. The tailgate ajar sensors are within the tailgate latches themselves. They are simply checking to see if those latches are fully closed. It has nothing to do with sensing the position of the tailgate; only if those latches are fully closed. If they come open, then the sensors assume the tailgate has opened. I went to the tailgate and flipped both latches closed with my finger. Started the truck and no tailgate ajar message. Even though this was a very temporary situation, I sat and basked in the glory of that for a bit just because I've not started the truck for a month without that Tailgate Ajar message poking me in the eye. Ha. Little things. I enjoyed the lack of messages and warning lights for 10 seconds. Then I hit the tailgate open button on the dash (twice to release), heard the electric tailgate release trigger, both latches released, and my old friend, the 'tailgate ajar light', appeared as expected.
One more interesting thing that happened in the last couple weeks that, due to timing of it, I'm convinced is unrelated to the tailgate ajar message. I've started receiving a message that the 'Backup brake assist' is unavailable and to see owner's manual. Hadn't received that for all the weeks I had the tailgate off and tailgate ajar message. During my experiment plugging in the tailgate and tailgate camera, that allowed the backup lines to appear on the camera view as well as a little red indicator in a section where one of four backup sensors are located. It seemed to indicate an issue with that backup sensor. Hard to get to the plug that goes into that sensor, but tried to wiggle it and see if a connection was bad. Nothing changed. Tough situation as I'm sure Ford will say that message is related to the tailgate ajar issue and that is normal for the truck to disable 'Backup brake assist' with the tailgate off. But, I proved that is incorrect by plugging in all the factory tailgate harness, making the tailgate ajar message go away, yet still trigger the message that 'Backup brake assist' is unavailable and to see the owner's manual" when I put it in reverse along with three annoyingly loud chimes. The tailgate was on the ground by the dolly, so during all this testing, I would put the pickup into reverse, but not let the truck move, of course, but all results are valid even without the truck moving. It only cares what transmission gear is selected for the backup camera and rear sensor faults; not if the truck is actually moving.
Note that in my '24, one can disable the 'Backup brake assist' and sensors in the infotainment screen. When one does that, it will pop this message each time you put it in reverser saying "'Backup brake assist is Off'. That is a different message, but still, I went in and ensured backup assist was turned on. I turned it off, confirmed the message changed to "'Backup brake assist is Off' when putting in reverse. Then turned it back on. So for now, this seems related to one of my backup sensors not working, which they should even with the tailgate ajar message. This started after I was back from our UT trip, so there is a chance all the very rough trail driving caused on of the backups sensors to loose contact if they were not fully seated from the factory. Or, one is simply faulty. I plan to do a more details check of the harness and connectors in the coming weeks.
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I also intermittently receive the same "Backup brake assist is unavailable" message while my tailgate is off. My guess is that it uses the camera in the tailgate as a part of that system. However, the proximity sensors in the bumper also do not work while the tailgate is off. I am taking mine in to the dealer on Wednesday to have them diagnose these "tailgate off" issues. I'm not hopeful, but will at least cause them to open a ticket with Ford. This is not "standard" functionality.
- OP 🔹
- #47
I went out and tested my 2024 F350 Lariat with the ultimate package. I unplugged the 2 large tailgate harness connectors, connected the adapter cable and also get the tailgate ajar warning. I talked to the service advisor at the dealer I bought the truck from and he claims he has not heard of the issue but was going to check with a couple of techs and get back with me. I looked at the schematics for the tailgate and compared to the wire colors in my connectors they were different. All the other tailgate connectors except the 2 big ones matched the schematic in the manual. I will talk to Ford again tomorrow and get them to open a ticket.
Finally heard back from Ford and they said to schedule an appointment to get it looked at and a ticket written.
Will mention I'm working with a FORScan guru to see if they can figure out what settings to change to make the tailgate ajar message go away. Meanwhile, we'll keep opening tickets with Ford.
Below will be getting a bit off topic of the tailgate ajar issue, but in my above post (that I quoted for reference), I'd mentioned the replacement Ford camera and aftermarket cable I bought didn't work but the one in the tailgate did (confirmed by laying the tailgate under the truck and plugging it in). The tailgate ajar message was not interfering with backup camera as I'd originally thought, as proven by hooking up factory tailgate camera and trying that, which worked even with tailgate ajar message.
This weekend, I had time to remove the camera from the tailgate this weekend and use it with the aftermarket cable that I bought and it worked, so it was the PJ7Z-19G490-B camera that I bought that didn't work. I don't know if that is the wrong part number for my '24 or the camera was a fake or what.
In any case, I now have the factory tailgate camera mounted in my aftermarket camera housing and aftermarket cable mounted on my camper in such a way it will NOT be easy to remove, so now my hand will be forced to find a tailgate camera by fall when the camper comes off and tailgate goes back on.
Pictures below of removing the tailgate camera. Note that my tailgate is off and laying on a furniture dolly with painted side up. If doing this with the tailgate on the pickup, like if you were replacing a damaged camera, everything would just be flipped upside down. It was very easy, particularly since one can access the two 10mm nuts by pulling out the tailgate step. Remove the nuts from the studs then push out the entire camera/handle/light panel (there are 4 clips that hold it in place), unplug the camera connector then remove that camera bracket with a T20 Torx bit, then unclip the camera from the black plastic bracket (it has a flip up cage).
Before I order another camera, I will await feedback from others in various forums, that have cameras on order, to see what part number works on '24 pickups. As others have mentioned, the number on the camera seems to match previous part number but with BB on the end and that part number doesn't seem to be available or in any system as of yet. Might just be the newest version.
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This is the camera I order from Ebay. I ordered a cable from AliExpress and it works fine on my 2024 F350.
I have a June 7th appt at Ford to bring the truck in to document the tail gate ajar issue. Of course the Service advisor said he hasn't heard of the problem before.
I have a June 7th appt at Ford to bring the truck in to document the tail gate ajar issue. Of course the Service advisor said he hasn't heard of the problem before.
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Hmmm, that is the same part number I bought and tried from ebay (but different seller) and did not work on my '24 F250. But, it might have been a fake part. So hard to tell with ebay. I almost bought from the seller you bought from. Maybe I'll grab one from him and try it, though he says they are non-refundable.
This was the one I bought and it did not work. They returned it for free with free shipping so nothing lost but time.
OEM Park Assist Camera PJ7Z-19G490-B for 2021-2023 Ford F-150 Lincoln Navigator | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for OEM Park Assist Camera PJ7Z-19G490-B for 2021-2023 Ford F-150 Lincoln Navigator at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
- Jul 29, 2023
- 3,661
- 10,231
- 2023 F350 XLT Premium Tremor, SAP, 7.3L
- 2023 F150 XLT Lightning, Extended range, 312A, Tow Tech/ Max Tow
Looks good. Identical to the one ST includes for $1000. Be interesting to drop ST a line and see if they’re having any problems with the 24’s with the camera option.Hmmm, that is the same part number I bought and tried from ebay (but different seller) and did not work on my '24 F250. But, it might have been a fake part. So hard to tell with ebay. I almost bought from the seller you bought from. Maybe I'll grab one from him and try it, though he says they are non-refundable.
This was the one I bought and it did not work. They returned it for free with free shipping so nothing lost but time.
OEM Park Assist Camera PJ7Z-19G490-B for 2021-2023 Ford F-150 Lincoln Navigator | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for OEM Park Assist Camera PJ7Z-19G490-B for 2021-2023 Ford F-150 Lincoln Navigator at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
The housing is identical. I sourced the Zorg housing from one source, the cable from another (because the Zorg kit that includes cable charges $95 for a $18 cable) and the camera from my tailgate after it was the only one I could get to work, so still need to source a camera to put in to the tailgate. At least that eliminates any cable or other troubleshooting if the next camera I try has issues because it will be running through all the stock tailgate harness.
I tried the camera in several different locations on the back of the camper and all of the ones off to the left side of the door I did not like at all as it skewed the view too much. I really wanted to mount it on the camper door so it would be the same height as the original tailgate camera, but that came with the complication of the cabling running to a hinged/moving door plus the Zorg housing should be mounted vertically and their is the slope on the lower portion of the camper door, so I abandoned that. That left mounting centered above the camper door.
My biggest concern with that is the view from the superwide angle lens makes everything really far away. I like the expansive view in general, but it makes the trailer hitch about 1/4" to 1/2" tall on my huge screen, even zoomed in with 'hitch view'. Hardly the precision that one gets from the stock tailgate camera mounting location where the hitch ball is well displayed and going to hitch view gives you a great top-down view to align everything quickly. But in the end, that high location just worked the best since at least it was centered. Will just have to lean forward toward the display and go very slow when hooking up trailer compared to how quick and easy it is with backup camera in stock tailgate location. At least tailgate will be back on for the winter and hooking up the snowmobile/snowbike trailer every weekend will be back to stock view. Helps on those -20F mornings. Ha.
Any more '24 owner find the tailgate removal kit (plugs and harness) don't work? Or any feedback from the dealerships for those that have brought theirs in for this issue? (@cr500rider, I know your appt. isn't until June 07).
I have the same exact issue, have not gotten to the dealer yet.
@Chadx I have a very similar setup to you - non Tremor Lariat SC 7.3, STC #103. You also camped with my buddy from Co. Springs!
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Nice rig! Interested in what your dealership has to say regarding the tailgate ajar issue. The more tickets that are put in, the more attention it will receive from the "mother ship".
Yep on the trip. We had a great time. Hope to get together with them again soon. I posted some images, from the trip, on page 17 of the Expedition Portal thread: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/...-pop-up-slide-in-pickup-camper.239844/page-17
I like this idea wouldn’t mind doing the same for my camper so i can see whats going on behind me. Have to go back thru the posts and make a parts list. Is it possible that the tail gate delete cable is just pinned wrong or maybe ford had got a bad run of them. Since i just got my truck now i am curious and need to try my tailgate delete cable.
That was my hope, but he first thing the dealership did was try one out of a brand new truck that just came in...though nothing guaranteeing that wasn't also a bad harness. Would be great if someone with a '23 with a harness that works on their truck could have someone with a '24, and the tailgate ajar issue, try that '23 harness. Don't have high hopes that it's a hardware issue, though. Seems like they mucked up the programming somehow. Afterall, the '23 guys are still dealing with all of their 360degree cameras bricking when they unplug their backup camera where the '24 don't do that anymore, but now we have this new issue. So there are definitely changes being made between model years, but it's unknown what is being changed as that won't be something they detail.
Definitely check your truck. Easy to do with the tailgate on as you can just test with it lowered. I attempted to outlined a reasonably good test process in this post: https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/24-owners-who-removed-tailgate.18096/page-2#post-380817
Interested in your results and, if you have the issue, what dealership says.
As for camera, I still haven't found one that works except for the one taken out of my tailgate, so now the search continues for one that works to put in my tailgate by fall/winter.
- OP 🔹
- #60
I was given two numbers to call to speak to Ford further about this issue:
1-800-232-5952
1-800-392-3673
I'll be calling today. If everyone took 10 minutes to call them it would help keep pressure on.
The one I got from camera source works perfectly in my '24. I believe they use an OEM camera, so that would make sense.
1-800-232-5952
1-800-392-3673
I'll be calling today. If everyone took 10 minutes to call them it would help keep pressure on.
The one I got from camera source works perfectly in my '24. I believe they use an OEM camera, so that would make sense.
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