The average price for the liftgate pull down motor replacement cost is between $569 and $590, with the total cost of the parts priced at around $488. The price of the labor is between $81 and $102, with this procedure typically taking around 60 minutes to complete at most auto body shops.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
What is the liftgate?
The liftgate is the piece of hydraulic or electric equipment installed on the rear side of a truck. This mechanism lets drivers lift freight from the ground to the height of the tailgate of the truck. This increases the efficiency of adding cargo and reduces any strain on the driver and passengers.
The liftgate works by using hydraulic pressure to force a piston through the cylinder, which raises and lowers the gate. The car owner usually controls the liftgate via a switch box with two buttons controlling the ‘up’ and ‘down’ function. If you find either of these buttons does not work, it can lead to higher liftgate pull down motor replacement cost.
What is the liftgate pull down motor?
Many cars, vans, SUVs, or trucks on the road today need automatic lift gates that increase the efficiency and ease of use of the cargo area. By increasing the accessibility to the cargo area in your vehicle, it makes the space easy to access by the driver and passengers.
On some vehicles, the liftgate will automatically raise or lower at the push of a button inside the vehicle or on an electronic key fob. If you find the key fob or the button is the problem, this is an electrical issue in your car. However, if the problem is mechanical, it can lead to a higher liftgate pull down motor replacement cost.
On other cars, the liftgate must be opened and closed by hand. Once the liftgate comes in touch with the liftgate latch, it becomes tighter and more secure on its own without any added pressure or electricity needed. By securing itself, it avoids the need for the driver to slam the liftgate and slam the hatch shut.
These automatic features utilize small motors to do the last parts of the work. If you find your liftgate slams shut or has trouble shutting properly, it can result in a higher liftgate pull down motor replacement cost.
How does the liftgate pull down motors function?
The specific liftgate pull down motor in your car determines how the liftgate works in your vehicle. In most cars, various motors work in tandem to help smoothly operate the liftgate and the latch. There is usually one motor specifically in charge of raising and lowering the liftgate to help drivers easily access the cargo space of your car.
The motor used to lower the liftgate is typically located in the pillar on one side of the lifgate opening. This motor has a moving arm that connects to the liftgate, where the liftgate strut attaches. When this specific motor receives a signal from the car’s body control module or the computer of the vehicle, it extends or retracts the arm to move the liftgate in accordance with the driver’s needs.
Another motor that works together with the car’s liftgate is closed most of the way. This function can usually be found with or without the raising and lowering feature. Either way, this second motor has to work in tandem with the liftgate hood latch to operate the liftgate properly. If you find this second motor does not work at the proper level, it can lead to a high liftgate pull down motor replacement cost.
Symptoms of a Faulty Liftgate Pull Down Motor
The symptoms of a faulty liftgate pull down motor can severely increase the overall liftgate pull down motor replacement cost based on the severity of the issues.
Liftgate Can’t Open Properly
In general, the signs of a bad motor include a liftgate that cannot properly open and close when the button is pressed. Another sign of a broken liftgate is a mechanism that moves at a slower pace and not responding properly.
Grinding Sounds
A grinding and whining sound from the side of the liftgate opening might indicate a failing or struggling motor that does not provide enough power to the liftgate. If the liftgate is partially closed, where the latch is closed part way, it does not draw down tight and can cause a broken liftgate pull down motor.
Clicking Noises
The latch mechanism might make a loud clicking sound without the liftgate shutting completely. There is a huge differencinth the electrical components like the body control module, switch, or relay, or a problem with the mechanical parts of the liftgate motor. For car owners, the price of the liftgate pull down motor replacement cost will be higher if it is electrical-related.
Can you drive with a faulty liftgate pull down motor?
Although a faulty liftgate pull down motor is a serious problem, you can still operate your vehicle with any issues with the motor. However, this can lead to an inability for the liftgate to close properly, meaning it could pop open and remain open while driving, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
If the gate does not close, whether by hand or automatically, the vehicle should be inspected at a local mechanic or auto body shop as soon as possible.
How do you diagnose liftgate pull down motor issues?
Diagnosis of a faulty liftgate pull down motor depends on the severity of the symptoms and the root cause of the issues. If you find the liftgate does not open and close consistently to lead to a safe driving situation, or if the response of the liftgate is delayed and sluggish, a technician will typically suggest a bad motor is the culprit.
Furthermore, if you hear any strange noises coming from the cargo compartment, this is also a sign of a faulty motor and can lead to a higher liftgate pull down motor replacement cost. Similarly, if the gate doesn't completely close or the latch makes noises while operating, the technician will have to retest the hood latch mechanism to see if the gate will actually work and operate at the proper level.
If there is no movement of the motors that operate the liftgate, the technician will have to inspect the internal of the car and check for a blown fuse or bad relay. Lastly, the mechanic will have to check the presence of voltage at the motor for the liftgate and for any fault codes stored in the body control module.
What to look out for when dealing with liftgate pull down motor issues
Care needs to be exercised when you work with any internal components or any structure that has multiple motors. If you are working around rings and the supplemental restraint system, you have to ensure that none of the safety system components become damaged in the event of fixing the liftgate pull down motor.
Certain vehicle systems will be affected if the battery is disconnected, leading to electrical concerns and safety issues. Also, if you find the liftgate pull down motor has failed, excess and atypical force will be required to close or open the liftgate for it to work properly. If the motor fails, it can lead to an expensive liftgate pull down motor replacement cost.
Can you replace the liftgate pull down motor yourself?
Each vehicle that contains an automatic liftgate will have a different set of challenges and issues for a car owner so they can work through the diagnostic process and replace the liftgate pull down motor. If you find there is an issue with the liftgate pull down motor, you will have to go through the proper diagnostic and repair steps to ensure this problem does not worsen over time.
The ease of the two different kinds of liftgate pull down motors to replace will typically be the latch-mounted drawdown motor that is typically found in the liftgate. This liftgate is easiest to fix due to the construction and parts used in the liftgate kotor.
When looking at the DIY replacement process, disassembly can be more involved if the motor that is in charge of raising and lowering the liftgate requires to be changed. If you find that the motor is broken or malfunctioning, it can lead to multiple labor hours and billed time. For this procedure, the car owner will need intermediate experience and car knowledge to even consider fixing the liftgate pull down motor.\\
By doing this repair process on your own, you can save money on the overall liftgate pull down motor replacement cost.
The Bottom Line
The average price for the liftgate pull down motor replacement cost is around $580. Although this can seem quite expensive for car repairs, it is typically required to keep your car hood and liftage attached securely while you are driving your vehicle.