Power Liftgate System - Chrysler Dodge Caravan 2002 Manual

8N - 2

POWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM

POWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles are equipped with an automatic
opening and closing power liftgate system (Fig. 1).
This power liftgate system is a complex system con-
sisting of many components. Some of these compo-
nents are the liftgate gear motor assembly, latch
assembly, lift gear and rod, liftgate control module,
chime/thermistor, full open switch, engage actuator,
pinch sensor, liftgate handle switch, overhead console
switch, key fob switches (Fig. 2), pawl switch and
ratchet switch.
The power liftgate system has its own door control
module, located on the vehicles left body D-pillar
behind the trim panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/DOOR CON-
TROL MODULE - DESCRIPTION) The power
liftgate gear motor assembly is located just above the
control module. The latch assembly is located in the
bottom center of the power liftgate, below the exte-
rior liftgate handle switch. The power liftgate full
open switch, engage actuator, lift gear and rod are
part of the liftgate gear motor assembly. The pawl
and ratchet switches are part of the latch assembly.
Fig. 1 POWER LIFTGATE INTRODUCTION
The pinch sensor or sensors are located along the
right and left sides of the power liftgate, just above
the body line. The liftgate handle switch is an power
release switch and is located in the rear light bar
assembly, just above the license plate. The overhead
console switch is an power open and close command
switch located in the vehicles overhead console.
Safety is of the utmost concern with the power lift-
gate system. Software technology has enabled the
power liftgate control module to detect resistance to
liftgate travel, which allows the power liftgate to stop
and reverse direction anytime an obstruction is felt
or any of the command switches are operated (only in
closing direction). Battery voltage is supplied to the
power liftgate system through a 40 amp fuse, located
in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) assembly (Fig.
3). In the unlikely event that the power liftgate sys-
tem develops a fault the power liftgate can still be
operated manually with a key, just like a standard
manual liftgate.
RS