2020 Silverado tailgate replacement - now it doesn't work

[andy r]

In typical farmer fashion I damaged the tailgate on my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. Has the backup camera and push button unlock. No power up or down. I was lucky to find the same color tailgate off of a 2023 Silverado. Mine is a 2020. Switched the tailgates. There are two electrical connectors which appear totally the same - one for the camera and one for the tailgate latches. Camera works. Tailgate will not unlatch - no clicks - no sound. If you are in the cab and push the button you can hear the relay under the dash or engine compartment, but no tailgate operation. Same with the button on the tailgate. Same with the button on the key fob. I did take the panel off of the back of the tailgate. The new tailgate has the activating mechanism in the center with two rods. I haven't opened up the damaged one yet to see if there is a difference. Thanks for any help.

 

[rustred]

Never know with all this electrical rig a ma roll stuff. Probably needs to be programmed to the truck like everything else. I replaced the radio in my 06 with a used one and had to take it to GM to have it programmed. Otherwise it would not turn on. Everything needs to match your vin number

 

[urbancase]

i have a 2020 gmc, does your truck use the fob system and push button start? just thinking here would that some how need to be paired with the fob to work? i have wondered this myself. kind of what rusted is saying.
be good info to know, good luck.

 

[ss55]

In typical farmer fashion I damaged the tailgate on my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. Has the backup camera and push button unlock. No power up or down. I was lucky to find the same color tailgate off of a 2023 Silverado. Mine is a 2020. Switched the tailgates. There are two electrical connectors which appear totally the same - one for the camera and one for the tailgate latches. Camera works. Tailgate will not unlatch - no clicks - no sound. If you are in the cab and push the button you can hear the relay under the dash or engine compartment, but no tailgate operation. Same with the button on the tailgate. Same with the button on the key fob. I did take the panel off of the back of the tailgate. The new tailgate has the activating mechanism in the center with two rods. I haven't opened up the damaged one yet to see if there is a difference. Thanks for any help.

For security reasons it makes sense that the system might need to be reprogrammed to work with the new actuator. A dealer or body shop should be able to do that for you.

Dumb question: does the old actuator still work? You might be able to swap it onto the new tailgate, but it might be cheaper to just reprogram the new one.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Can you salvage parts out of your old tailgate? It looks like there's a device in the tailgate called the "liftgate control module" that might be the problem.

Most of the devices in newer vehicles are controlled via a digital multiplexed bus. When you hit the door unlock, the Body Control Module sends a digital command to the appropriate controllers which in turn activate the lock mechanisms. If the Body Control Module doesn't know the address or ID of the liftgate controller it can't talk to it.

On the link below you'll find a drawing that shows the location of the liftgate control module.

P/N 84652297

 

[scootergmc]

Yep, I'd just swap the control mechanism in the tailgates.

 

[Watthour]

I still lift my tailgate off and set it aside for loading/unloading with a fork truck.

New "trucks" have tailgates with ice dispensers and WiFi, making it an open-bed soccer-mom SUV instead of an actual TRUCK. Sometimes, convenience can eclipse practicality and branch off into the absurd only in the name of "progress."

 

[G Smith]

I agree completly

 

[Sprint 6]

Swap the modules, if applicable. Also, compare wire colors and locations on the main harness plugs old gate to new. OEs like the swap wire locations periodically to discourage parts swapping between years.

 

[andy r]

Went to the Chevrolet dealer today and talked with the parts department. Asked to look up the tailgate wiring harness for a 2020 Silverado and what years it was used on. Sure enough my wiring harness was used up until 2022. The tailgate I bought was off of a 2023 Silverado. Even though the wiring harness looks the same the pins in the connectors must be slightly different. I will pull the harness out of the damaged tailgate and put it in the replacement. Thanks everyone for your help.