Got the tailgate ajar message with my 2024 250. Took it into the dealership who stated they do not know why this is occurring and that since this was a "customer modification", reprogramming is not a warranty issue ($158) each time.
‘24 Owners Who Removed Tailgate
- OP 🔹 cs0430
- Start date
Since it's not working correctly, did they open a ticket with Ford? Demand that and to get the ticket number. Be firm, but factual and not emotional. Tailgate removal kit isn't working so they need to open a warranty ticket
They did not open a ticket, just gave me a CS number. CS stated she could not find any other documented issues like this, even though I said the forums were full of them. They did issue a ticket and made me another appt with a different dealership for a second opinion on the the 29th.
Also the dealership "technician" tried to tell me that the kit was for waterproofing caps only, not to remove the "tailgate ajar". Crickets when I asked why the jumper plugs were wired and pinned?
Also the dealership "technician" tried to tell me that the kit was for waterproofing caps only, not to remove the "tailgate ajar". Crickets when I asked why the jumper plugs were wired and pinned?
That and also that the "tailgate removal kit" works on '23 models which have no tailgate ajar notice. Your experience was similar to mine. "That is how it's supposed to work". Well, no. No it's not and here is why. Ha.
In their defense, they deal with really ignorant or misinformed or unreasonable owners on a daily basis. Still, it is frustrating that they try to speak authoritatively on this (and other subjects) without giving it simple critical thinking before they talk. I politely refute their comments with logical facts and watch them stumble, and don't back down until they admit they are wrong and there is an issue.
Does anyone know the FORscan coding to reprogram the tailgate ajar message, in case I cannot get this resolved. Can't find it on any of the available spreadsheets.
Nothing yet and I've been digging around and asking experts. Even the Ford techs cannot do it with their software for Lariat and above. When I was in, they said they would turn it off for me since the tailgate removal kit doesn't work, then once they tried, they said their software won't allow it for Lariat and above.
- Jul 29, 2023
- 4,024
- 11,700
- 2023 F350 XLT Premium Tremor, SAP, 7.3L
- 2023 F150 XLT Lightning, Extended range, 312A, Tow Tech/ Max Tow
But it would work on an XLT?
@TRAMPER Theoretically, Ford turning off the tailgate sensors would work on a Pheasant-duty (or Super-pheasant, if you will), but that is unknown and would be for the Ford techs to determine. They thought that their software forbidding turning off the tailgate sensors on the Lariats and above had to do with 360 cameras, so an "XLT Premium package" like on yours, or the stand alone 360 camera package, could also make and XLT unable to have tailgate sensors turned off (if it really had to do with 360 camera). Moot on your '23 since you don't have the "Tailgate Ajar" issue (though, all your 360 cameras brick if you remove the tailgate/backup camera and don't replace it with another camera, so your truck has it's own fun quirk, as do each model year, it seems).
Haven't heard from too many '24 XLT owners regarding their having the "Tailgate Ajar" issue, but I think there were a couple, so they are not immune. But would be interested to hear if any of those owners had Ford techs successfully turn off the tailgate sensors and eliminate their tailgate ajar warning.
Last edited:
Took the Tremor to a different dealership today, (Hudson Ford, Hudson WI) and they were able to fix it. This is not a software issue, it is in the jumper harness. Apparently the off position for the "tailgate ajar" message or a closed tailgate is when the switch is grounded. For some reason my jumper, and from what I understand all of the jumpers made by Ford for the '24 model are missing a ground pin on that harness. The tech added a "ground" pin to the jumper and everything is working correctly. I have attached the work order with the notes from the tech. Hopefully I am explaining this correctly as this info was relayed to me by the desk guys, I did not have a chance to talk to the actual tech.
I'll pull the harness tomorrow, and take a photo of where they added the ground pin.
I'll pull the harness tomorrow, and take a photo of where they added the ground pin.
What some have suspected all along (that it is harness related and not software)! I personally had no clue. Ha. I wanted to borrow a '23 harness from someone, since they don't have the issue, but don't know a lot of people. All '24 harnesses having the issue explains why the dealerships trying harnesses from other '24 results in the same issue. Maybe I can find a used '23 on dealers lot and beg to try that harness. Or add the ground pin myself, though I really want Ford to do it so they share the pain of their mistake. Ha.
Edit: I just emailed the person in the service department that handled my original warranty visit for this work (unresolved) and my salesman. I'll post what, if any, response I get. After four months of OKing away the Tailgate Ajar window every time I start and reverse the truck, really looking forward to resolving this, be that with a new/correct part number or them fixing my current 'Tailgate Removal' harness by adding a grounding pin on the C4003 side of the harness/jumper.
Edit: I just emailed the person in the service department that handled my original warranty visit for this work (unresolved) and my salesman. I'll post what, if any, response I get. After four months of OKing away the Tailgate Ajar window every time I start and reverse the truck, really looking forward to resolving this, be that with a new/correct part number or them fixing my current 'Tailgate Removal' harness by adding a grounding pin on the C4003 side of the harness/jumper.
Last edited:
Same here on my 2024 F250, tail gate ajar message and little red symbol on the lower right. Plus, my backup sensors are offline too due to this. All tailgate removal kit jumper cables/dummy plugs plugged in.
Good news, all the cameras function normally after install of OE camera on FWC camper.
Good news, all the cameras function normally after install of OE camera on FWC camper.
This would be great to have a pic of what they did
Agreed on the Pic.
@timothymeyer , you up for pics of both ends of the harness? Black and white plugs on mine.
Would like to see which end is the C4003 end and where the pin was added (and what it was tied to. They said a ground).
@timothymeyer , you up for pics of both ends of the harness? Black and white plugs on mine.
Would like to see which end is the C4003 end and where the pin was added (and what it was tied to. They said a ground).
- OP 🔹
- #94
@timothymeyer picture please! Super excited to hear there's possibility a solution.
@cs0430 Who knew that the solution would have a description so similar to your forum handle: "Add pins to the C4003 side of the jumper". Ha.
Unfortunately I do not have a before picture to compare, so I am not sure where he added the pin or pins. I believe it is these three greens pictured. It appears changes were only made to the "black" plug.
This is a warranty issue, so I would not be doing it myself, have Ford take care of it.
This is a warranty issue, so I would not be doing it myself, have Ford take care of it.
Attachments
Was glancing back through the thread looking for other pics of harnesses and found this post:
https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/24-owners-who-removed-tailgate.18096/page-3#post-384969
So the Best Theory award goes to @Littlejeepr who asked "Is it possible that the tail gate delete cable is just pinned wrong or maybe ford had got a bad run of them?".
Well done and congratulations. Ha.
https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/24-owners-who-removed-tailgate.18096/page-3#post-384969
So the Best Theory award goes to @Littlejeepr who asked "Is it possible that the tail gate delete cable is just pinned wrong or maybe ford had got a bad run of them?".
Well done and congratulations. Ha.
Here is a pic of both my connectors currently on the truck. On the black connector, the wires/pins in very different positions than yours. All 6 of mine are on the same row.
Last edited:
- Jul 29, 2023
- 4,024
- 11,700
- 2023 F350 XLT Premium Tremor, SAP, 7.3L
- 2023 F150 XLT Lightning, Extended range, 312A, Tow Tech/ Max Tow
I’ll tell you. Made in China just doesn’t mean what it used too. Hahahaha.
...and Ford signed off on it. Ha.
Tremor Forum Fav 👍
Tremor Forum Photos
![What did you do to your Tremor today? [2026 edition]](https://www.fordtremor.com/data/files/featured_images/featuredimages_thumb_6.webp?1790206280)
Tremor Forum Photos
