NOTE: Be certain wires are reinstalled in the correct
wire cavities. Failure to do so could result in dam-
age to the latch actuator. Refer to Wiring Diagrams
if previous notes were not made.
(4) Secure the main connector retaining push pins
on the latch actuator housing.
(5) Grab the latch assembly and hook the key cyl-
inder link rod on the key cylinder.
(6) Position the latch and install three new latch
retaining bolts. Torque to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.).
(7) Connect the power latch electrical connector.
(8) Install the lower liftgate trim panel. Refer to
Body for the procedure.
(9) Connect the negative battery cable.
LIFTGATE MOTOR
DESCRIPTION
Vehicles equipped with a power liftgate, utilize a
liftgate gear/motor assembly (Fig. 11). The gear
motor assembly consists of a DC motor, hall effect
sensor, engage actuator, full open switch, lift gear,
aluminum housing, drive gears and wire harness.
The gears and motor portion of the assembly pro-
vides the power and torque required to open or close
the liftgate under the worst case conditions. The hall
effect sensor is used to provide the liftgate control
module with a speed reading, which is used to mon-itor the resistance of liftgate travel. This speed read-
ing also allows the power liftgate control module to
detect obstructions and move the liftgate accordingly.
The engage actuator is used to toggle between power
open/close mode and full manual mode when desired.
The full open switch is used to let the power liftgate
control module know when the liftgate is approach-
ing the full open position.
Serviceable components of the power liftgate gear/
motor assembly are the complete gear/motor assem-
bly, motor and wire harness, lift gear and control rod,
engage actuator, full open switch and the transverse
bracket. Refer to additional information in this group
for more component details.
OPERATION
With the push of a power liftgate command switch
(liftgate closed), the power liftgate control module
will signal the latch assembly to release the door
from its primary closed and latched position to the
released and movable position. The liftgate motor-
mounted engage actuator then engages the liftgate
motor assembly, which moves the liftgate into the
open position. The liftgate motor provides the torque
and power to move the door to its full open or closed
position(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER DOORS -
OPERATION) for additional information.
REMOVAL
The power liftgate gear/motor assembly is serviced
in two ways: the complete gear/motor assembly, or
the motor, aluminum housing, drive gears and wire
harness assembly. To perform this service, use the
following procedure to remove the gear/motor assem-
bly from the vehicle. Then refer to the other proce-
dures called out this section to transfer the
remaining components (engage actuator, full open
switch, transverse bracket and lift gear and rod) to
the replacement gear/motor assembly.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2)
Remove the left rear D-pillar trim panel from the
vehicle. Refer to the Body section for the procedure.
(3) Disconnect the wire harness connector from the
motor assembly (Fig. 11).
(4) Remove the two bolts from the motor housing
and the one bolt from the transverse mount bracket.
(5) Grab the liftgate motor assembly and lift
upward and out to unhook the motor assembly from
the D-pillar.
(6) Remove the liftgate motor assembly from the
vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Using the motor housing tab, hook the liftgate
motor assembly on the D-pillar.
Fig. 11 POWER LIFTGATE COMPONENTS
1 - POWER LIFTGATE GEAR MOTOR/ASSEMBLY
2 - POWER LIFTGATE CONTROL MODULE
3 - ELECTRICAL GROUND LOCATION
RSPOWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM8N-15
LATCH ACTUATOR (Continued)
(2) Install the three motor assembly retaining
bolts. Torque the two rear most bolts first to 9.5 N´m
(85 in. lbs.). Torque the remaining bolt next to the
window actuator to 9.5 N´m (85 in. lbs.).
(3) Connect the liftgate motor assembly electrical
connector.
(4) Install the D-pillar trim panel on the vehicle.
Refer to Body for the procedure.
(5) Connect the negative battery cable.
(6) Using an appropriate scan tool, check any
erase any power liftgate control module diagnostic
trouble codes related to the door motor assembly.
(7) Verify power liftgate system operation. Cycle
the power liftgate through one complete open and
close cycle, this will allow the power liftgate control
module to relearn its cycle with the new components.
LIFT GEAR & LINK ROD
DESCRIPTION
Vehicles equipped with a power liftgate utilize a
lift gear and rod assembly. This lift gear and rod
assembly are located in the left rear of the vehicle
and are visible without removing the D-pillar trim
(Fig. 12). The lift gear provides the leverage to move
the liftgate from the closed to the open position. The
lift gear attaches to a bearing on the gear motor
assembly with four bolts. On the outboard side of thelift gear are riveted on teeth, which mesh with the
gear motor assembly drive gears during a open or
close operation. The rod assembly is a steel shaft,
equipped with two spherical rod ends which attaches
the lift gear to the liftgate.
The lift gear and rod assembly are serviceable com-
ponents. Consult your MoparŸ parts catalog for a
part number.
OPERATION
One end of the rod assembly is attached to the lift-
gate, the other attached to the lift gear. When the lift
gear is driven by the gear motor assembly the lift-
gate is moved to the open or closed position.
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the left rear D-pillar trim from the
vehicle. Refer to Body for the procedure.
(2) Remove the lift gear retaining bolts (Fig. 13).
(3) Remove the lift gear and rod from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1)Position the lift gear assembly and install the
retaining bolts. Torque the bolts to 8 N´m (71 in. lbs.).
(2) Install the left rear D-pillar trim on the vehi-
cle. Refer to Body for the procedure.
CAUTION: Torque link rod to liftgate attachment
bolt to 250 in. lbs. Care must be taken not to over-
torque link rod bolt.
Fig. 12 LIFTGATE GEAR/MOTOR ASSEMBLY
1 - TRANSVERSE BRACKET
2 - ENGAGE ACTUATOR
3 - LIFT GEAR AND ROD ASSEMBLY
4 - LIFTGATE MOTOR
Fig. 13 LIFTGATE GEAR MOTOR ASSEMBLY
1 - ENGAGE ACTUATOR RETAINING SCREWS
2 - LIFT GEAR RETAINING BOLTS
8N - 16 POWER LIFTGATE SYSTEMRS
LIFTGATE MOTOR (Continued)
PINCH SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
Vehicles equipped with a power liftgate utilize two
pinch sensors, one is located on each side of the lift-
gate (Fig. 14). These sensors look like weather-strips,
however they consist of pieces of electrically conduc-
tive rubber (tapeswitch), wires, resistor, double sided
tape, and a plastic carrier. They are used to indicate
an obstruction during a power close cycle.
OPERATION
During a power liftgate close cycle, if either of the
two conductive rubber strips (tapeswitch) of thepinch sensor come in contact with an obstacle, the
pinch sensor circuit is completed. This tells the
power liftgate control module that a obstruction is
felt. The control module will stop the liftgate imme-
diately and return it to the full open position.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Remove trim panel from liftgate. Refer to Body
for the procedure.
(3) Disconnect the pinch sensor wire harness con-
nector (Fig. 14).
(4) Remove screws holding the pinch sensor to lift-
gate.
(5) Feed the pinch sensor wire harness out of the
liftgate and remove the sensor from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TEST-
ING PINCH SENSOR OPERATION.
(1) Position the pinch sensor and install screws
holding the sensor to the liftgate. Torque screws to
25 in. lbs.
(2) Install wire harness grommet in liftgate flange
and route, connect the pinch sensor wire harness
connector.
(3) Install the trim panel on the liftgate. Refer to
the Body section for the procedure.
(4) Connect the negative battery cable.
(5) Using an appropriate scan tool, check and
erase any power liftgate control module diagnostic
trouble codes related to the pinch sensor.
(6) Verify power liftgate system and pinch sensor
operation. Cycle the power liftgate through one com-
plete open and close cycle, during the final close cycle
press the pinch sensor to verify the power liftgate
detects an obstruction and returns to the full open
position.
Fig. 14 PINCH SENSOR LOCATION
1 - LIFTGATE
2 - PINCH SENSOR ASSEMBLY
3 - LIFTGATE PROP ROD
4 - PINCH SENSOR WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
5 - PINCH SENSOR WIRE HARNESS
RSPOWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM8N-17
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION.........................19
OPERATION...........................21
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER SLIDING
DOOR SYSTEM.......................22
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER DOOR
LEARN CYCLE.......................28
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PUSH-PIN
GROMMET REPLACEMENT.............28
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SLIDING DOOR
ADJUSTMENT........................28
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS TABLE...............29
LATCH
DESCRIPTION.........................29
OPERATION...........................29
REMOVAL.............................29
INSTALLATION.........................29
SLIDING DOOR MOTOR
DESCRIPTION.........................30
OPERATION...........................30
REMOVAL.............................30
INSTALLATION.........................31
FULL OPEN SWITCH
DESCRIPTION.........................31
OPERATION...........................31
LEFT B-PILLAR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION.........................32OPERATION...........................32
REMOVAL.............................32
INSTALLATION.........................32
RIGHT B-PILLAR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION.........................32
OPERATION...........................32
REMOVAL.............................32
INSTALLATION.........................32
LOWER DRIVE UNIT
DESCRIPTION.........................32
OPERATION...........................32
REMOVAL.............................33
INSTALLATION.........................33
LOWER DRIVE UNIT TRACK & RACK
DESCRIPTION.........................34
OPERATION...........................34
REMOVAL.............................34
INSTALLATION.........................34
WIRING HARNESS
DESCRIPTION.........................35
OPERATION...........................35
REMOVAL.............................35
INSTALLATION.........................36
FLEX DRIVE
DESCRIPTION.........................36
OPERATION...........................36
REMOVAL.............................37
INSTALLATION.........................37
POWER SLIDING DOOR
SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles are equipped with a power opening
and closing sliding door system (Fig. 1). Depending
on how the vehicle is ordered it may be equipped
with only a right side power door or right and left
side power doors. This power sliding door system is a
complex system consisting of many components.
Some of these components are the door motor, latch
assembly, sliding door control module, lower drive
unit, flex drive assembly, wire harness and track,
lower drive unit track and rack assembly, full open
switch, B-pillar switch, overhead console switch, key
fob switches (Fig. 2), pawl switch, ratchet switch and
child lockout and handle switches.Each power side door has its own door control mod-
ule, located in the center of the door behind the door
trim panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELEC-
TRONIC CONTROL MODULES/DOOR CONTROL
MODULE - DESCRIPTION) The power side door
motor is located in the front portion of the door, on
the inner door panel sheet metal. The latch assembly
is located in the rear of the power side door, near the
body line. The lower drive unit is attached to the
lower door hinge. The flex drive assembly connects
the door motor to the lower drive unit. The wire har-
ness and track and the lower drive unit track are vis-
ible with the door open in the lower door sill area.
The power side door full open switch is located under
the lower drive unit and is part of the hold open
latch assembly. The pawl, ratchet, handle and child
lockout switches are all located on the power side
door latch assembly. The B-pillar switch, as it will be
referred to, is an open and close command switch
RSPOWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM8N-19
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Failure of latch assembly Check cable connections
Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Replace latch assembly, if necessary
Failure of outside handle cable
assemblyCheck cable for binding
Check cable for broken condition
Replace the cable, if necessary
Binding or sticking of components Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of door
Establish location of binding
Replace necessary components
Sliding door will not
open/close manuallyBinding or sticking of components Establish location of binding. Disconnect flex
drive and recheck. Replace necessary
components
Failure of latch assembly Check cable connections
Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Replace latch assembly, if necessary
Sliding door will not
open/close under powerFailure of sliding door control or
body control moduleDisconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Failure of latch assembly Check wire connections and for blown fuse
Check cable connections
Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Troubleshoot using body diagnostic manual
Replace latch assembly, if necessary
Failure of motor assembly Troubleshoot using body diagnostic manual
Failure of full open switch
assemblyTroubleshoot using body diagnostic manual
Failure of flex drive assembly Disconnect flex drive and check for broken
condition
Failure of lower drive unit assembly Remove lower drive unit and check for
broken condition
Binding or sticking of components Establish location of binding and replace
necessary components
Wiring problems (system or
vehicle)Troubleshoot using electrical schematics.
Refer to wiring diagrams
8N - 24 POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEMRS
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM (Continued)
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Power loss during power
door operationWiring problems (system or
vehicle)Troubleshoot using electrical schematics.
Refer to wiring diagrams
Low battery voltage Charge battery
Failure of sliding door control or
body control moduleDisconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Failure of drive assembly Remove lower drive unit and check for no
drive condition
No latching in primary
and/or secondary positionsFailure of inside/outside handle
assemblyGo to that9POSSIBLE CAUSE9and review
9CORRECTIONS9
Failure of latch assembly Check wire connections and for blown fuse
Check cable connections
Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Troubleshoot using body diagnostic manual
Replace latch assembly, if necessary
Binding or sticking of components Establish location of binding and replace
necessary components
Failure of sliding door control or
body control moduleDisconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Door seal force too high Inspect seals for damage, mis-assembly,
foreign matter. Refer to Door adjustment in
the Body section of the service manual for
specifications
Failure of drive assembly Remove lower drive unit and check for no
drive condition
Failure of striker Striker misaligned or loose
Striker damaged
Replace striker if necessary
Latch will not fully release
from primary positionFailure of latch assembly Check wire connections and for blown fuse
Check cable connections
Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Troubleshoot using body diagnostic manual
Replace latch assembly, if necessary
Failure of fuel filler door lockout
mechanismCheck operation of fuel filler door lockout
mechanism. Refer to the Body section for
information
RSPOWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM8N-25
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM (Continued)
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Failure of sliding door control or
body control moduleDisconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Failure of striker Striker misaligned or loose
Striker damaged
Replace striker if necessary
Cables worn and stretched Replace cables as necessary
Binding or sticking of components Establish location of binding and replace
necessary components
Key fob, B-pillar or
overhead console switch
does not power operate
doorBlown Fuse Check fuse and replace
Battery voltage low Charge or replace battery
Failure of latch assembly Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Check wire connection
Pawl and/or ratchet switch inoperative
Replace latch if necessary
Wiring problems (system or
vehicle)Troubleshoot using electrical schematics.
Refer to wiring diagrams
Failure of body control module Check electrical connections
Refer to the body diagnostic manual for
additional checks
Replace BCM if necessary
Failure of key fob Replace key fob battery
Replace key fob if necessary
Failure of sliding door control
moduleDisconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Failure of door motor assembly Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of gear motor assembly
Check wire connections
Gear motor clutch does not engage, replace
assembly
Full open switch inoperative, replace hold
open latch assembly
Replace motor assembly. if necessary
Door does not stay open Failure of hold open latch assembly Check wire/cable connections
Replace hold open latch, if necessary
Failure of hold open latch striker Replace hold open latch striker, if necessary
8N - 26 POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEMRS
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM (Continued)
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
High inside/outside opening
effortFailure of latch assembly Check wire connections and for blown fuse
Check cable connections
Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Troubleshoot using body diagnostic manual
Replace latch assembly, if necessary
Failure of inside/outside handle
assemblyGo to that9POSSIBLE CAUSE9and review
9CORRECTIONS9
Binding or sticking of components Establish location of binding and replace
necessary components
Door continues to cinch
closed during power modeFailure of latch assembly Check wire connections and for blown fuse
Check for foreign matter preventing the
operation of latch assembly
Troubleshoot using body diagnostic manual
Replace latch assembly, if necessary
Failure of sliding door control or
body control moduleDisconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Wiring problems (system or
vehicle)Troubleshoot using electrical schematics.
Refer to wiring diagrams
Door continues to open
during power mode
(runaway motor)Failure of sliding door control or
body control moduleDisconnect then reconnect battery to reset
module, function door, if no function exists
check for loose wire connections, see Body
Diagnostic Manual for detailed procedures
Failure of hold open latch assembly Check wire/cable connections
Replace hold open latch, if necessary
Failure of drive assembly Remove lower drive unit and check for no
drive condition
Wiring problems (system or
vehicle)Troubleshoot using electrical schematics.
Refer to wiring diagrams
Door opens very slowly Failure of door motor assembly Check wire/cable connections
Replace motor assembly, if necessary
Binding or sticking of components Establish location of binding and replace
necessary components
Squeaks, Noises and rattles Foreign material in door
compartmentRemove foreign material
Loose components Check and tighten loose components
Poor door track lubrication Lubricate the front portions of the side door
tracks with9Door EaseT9or equivalent
RSPOWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM8N-27
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM (Continued)