2015 Mazda5 Tailgate Won't Open - Fixes?

[Merryfrankster]

2015 Mazda5
Tailgate would no longer open, first intermittently, then permanent no-op.
Could be opened with emergency mechanical lever release from inside.
Replaced both the actuator and the exterior switch with brand new OEM parts.
Lock Actuator C513-62-310A
Release Switch C513-62-4B0
Locking/unlocking/opening all worked ok after.
Until one month later, back to square one, no longer opens, except with emergency lever from inside.

Possibilities:
- Either the new switch or new actuator has failed prematurely - would need to troubleshoot.
- Issue in the rear hatch harness. C513-67-060, Harness no.2, rear. Electronics, front, harnesses, wiring.

Any other ideas for what could be causing this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fuzzel]

I don't know about the Mazda5 but in some other cars I had the tailgate hinge and cable pass through tended to be a neuralgic point.

I think you covered the possible scenarios well.

It's either another defective actuator or a wiring issue / loose contact that worked for a bit after you disturbed the issue (in a good way) for it to work again when you installed the replacement.

 

[Maikel]

When you changed the switch, did you check the connector?

Most likely those switches goes bad because water, so the wires in connector might also be corroded.

 

[hleboklop]

Hello there!

IIRC, you're located in Hawaii, with frequent heavy rains - this could be caused by some sort of a leak.

I've had a problem with friend's 2007 Mazda5, which I had to seal with black electrical tape to fix the issue (some random code caused by driver side airbag harness short).