LX570 Lift Gate Issue

[CLHickman]

Hey gang - I was taking care of a small bit of corrosion on my lift gate this morning. After cleaning, applying some paint, and then reassembly, the lift gate will not close. I checked for obstructions and couldn't see anything. The gate will go almost to the closed position, then beep twice, and come back up. I can close it manually and it will activate the lock mechanism.

Any ideas?

The area in the red had a small amount of corrosion (pitting/bubbles/etc). This is a picture after I cleaned it up.

The gasket appears to have a heating element that runs through it (green line). I was careful, or so I thought, when I was pulling it away from the metal holder. There is a connection point at the top side of the lift gate door. It is fortified with an adhesive and I did not pull it a part.

My initial guess is that I got a wire on the inside of the door tangled somehow...Though I can't see how that would activate the door to come back too the up position.

Thanks ahead of time for your ideas and comments.

Chris

 

[CLHickman]

*Sigh* And fixed....Turned out to be the gasket on the right side was not fully tight and close to the bracket. It was SLIGHTLY binding when it was in that down position, causing the system to return it back up. Makes me nervous when I take something a part and I truly believe I put it back together correctly.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting to see that there was a heating element in that gasket though. I had always thought it was another channel for water movement.

 

[GoISU]

I wonder if the heating element is just for the powered gates to prevent the motor from frying if frozen shut. If the LC200 has it as well that's some serious forethought and engineering to protect the gasket and make the gate easier to open when cold (I'm guessing it's on LX models only).

 

[CLHickman]

@GoISU - That's a great question. I would assume it would be on both actually. I'm curious when it engages the heat element, either on its own or with the use of the rear defrost. I'll play around with it and see if I can feel any difference when I activate the defrost button.

I very much agree, this vehicle has a lot of thought put into various areas. I just wish they would have put some more thought into the window controls up front. I've trained myself to be a contortionist in order to raise/lower the windows.

Anyone care to see if they have this on the LC? Just lift the gate and see if you have a hard rubber cord that runs the length of the sides.

 

[teambell]

I don't see anything..

 

[CLHickman]

@teambell - I believe it would be located on the lift gate. Take a look at the where the gas struts connects to the door up top and see if there is a thicker gasket.

 

[LBridges]

@teambell - I believe it would be located on the lift gate. Take a look at the where the gas struts connects to the door up top and see if there is a thicker gasket.

I looked. There is a rubber corner "flap" of sorts, but no electrical connectors under there - either side (for my 17MY). But mine came from the SE US distributor, maybe a northern tier model?

 

[teambell]

Confirmed with what @LBridges reported. Mine has no such elements. Yet another cool thing the LX has!

 

[lex97h]

This is actually a pinch sensor. Since the LX has the automatic tailgate, according to the manual the upper tailgate would reverse itself if it detects an obstacle (such as a hand). So there are no heating elements in the rubber strip. The OP probably had the sensor pinched during installation and therefore the tailgate kept reversing itself.

 

[teambell]

Ahh.. that makes sense!

 

[CLHickman]

Lex got it. I went out and lowered the door while pinching the tube and sure enough it stops the gate. Mystery solved. Downside is I couldn't find any diagram or part breakout showing the tube.

Thanks buddy!!

 

[lex97h]

Lex got it. I went out and lowered the door while pinching the tube and sure enough it stops the gate. Mystery solved. Downside is I couldn't find any diagram or part breakout showing the tube.

Thanks buddy!!

No problem CLHickman. I found this sensor out the hardway when wifey lower the tailgate with my hand right by the liftgate strut. Lol