Liftgate opens on its own - sometimes

[DrMitoFit]

Our 2011 MKX started spontaneously lowering its windows, once letting rain in. It turned out to be a problem with the key fob internals. Small pie pan shaped discs under the buttons had slipped out of position and were making random eletrical contact, activating a fob switch. Certain button repeats are the code for lowering the windows (such as on hot days in the office parking lot). I solved it by buying new key fob and using the new fob housing. So it could be one of your key fobs sending a signal to open the liftgate.

 

[URDRWHO]

Our 2011 MKX started spontaneously lowering its windows, once letting rain in. It turned out to be a problem with the key fob internals. Small pie pan shaped discs under the buttons had slipped out of position and were making random eletrical contact, activating a fob switch. Certain button repeats are the code for lowering the windows (such as on hot days in the office parking lot). I solved it by buying new key fob and using the new fob housing. So it could be one of your key fobs sending a signal to open the liftgate.

How did you figure out the problem with the FOB?

I've watched an online video of that window control through key fob. Not a fan and your example is one reason. I have the liftgate set on manual. The unlock mechanism would need to be engaged to lift the lid and so far the unlock hasn't happened. Which means I haven't had a liftgate attempt to open on its own. It's 13F outside right now and much, MUCH too cold to go out an disconnect things attempting to see what may or may not be causing the issue. One reason I bought our last Volvo was it did not have the motorized liftgate. Yes they are nice but I also had an Outback that the liftgate was not so nice. I am still willing and able to open a lid. But yes, it is a nice feature but sometimes nice features can be a PITA.

 

[MattMacMan]

How did you figure out the problem with the FOB?

I've watched an online video of that window control through key fob. Not a fan and your example is one reason. I have the liftgate set on manual. The unlock mechanism would need to be engaged to lift the lid and so far the unlock hasn't happened. Which means I haven't had a liftgate attempt to open on its own. It's 13F outside right now and much, MUCH too cold to go out an disconnect things attempting to see what may or may not be causing the issue. One reason I bought our last Volvo was it did not have the motorized liftgate. Yes they are nice but I also had an Outback that the liftgate was not so nice. I am still willing and able to open a lid. But yes, it is a nice feature but sometimes nice features can be a PITA.

You can turn the remote windows off under vehicle settings. That super easily turned off. Im a big fan of this feature, makes for a fast cool down in summer, right before initiating a remote start. The AC isnt cold right off the rip anyway so it allows the heat to escape and after about 5 minutes I roll them back up to keep the now cool air in.

 

[URDRWHO]

And again today. This afternoon I got in the car to go for a walk, starting the car and the "liftgate is ajar" was illuminated on the dash. It was 6F outside this morning and reached a high of 29F. Not ready to go outside to diagnose the ghostly liftgate. Key FOB battery, wonder if a dying battery could be at fault. I'll check it --- unless they've engineered the FOB to make it a dealer only thing.

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[MattMacMan]

And again today. This afternoon I got in the car to go for a walk, starting the car and the "liftgate is ajar" was illuminated on the dash. It was 6F outside this morning and reached a high of 29F. Not ready to go outside to diagnose the ghostly liftgate. Key FOB battery, wonder if a dying battery could be at fault. I'll check it --- unless they've engineered the FOB to make it a dealer only thing.

The key fob is super easy to open. Press the button on the aluminum end to pull the key out, then there will be a small slit where you should be able to separate the back (piece with the Lincoln Emblem on it) from the fob itself. Battery will be right there. I find using a fork works best to pop the battery out since you can stick the fork in the two notches and the fact everyone has a bunch of them laying in a kitchen drawer lol

 

[MattMacMan]

You know.....Ive been thinking.....did you buy this Corsair used? If so, Im wondering if your dealership reset the vehicle when they got it on trade in. Im guessing not, most dealerships dont, ours doesnt and it bothers me, because the last owner still has connection to the vehicle on their phone, they can track its location, lock and unlock the vehicle, remote start it.....etc. All the same functions you have in your phone. Id try resetting the Lincoln Way app settings inside the vehicle. This will remove all phones from the vehicle settings, you can simply add yours back, but the other people that used to own it wont have access anymore. Just a thought. And we can also rule that cause out.

 

[URDRWHO]

You know.....Ive been thinking.....did you buy this Corsair used? If so, Im wondering if your dealership reset the vehicle when they got it on trade in. Im guessing not, most dealerships dont, ours doesnt and it bothers me, because the last owner still has connection to the vehicle on their phone, they can track its location, lock and unlock the vehicle, remote start it.....etc. All the same functions you have in your phone. Id try resetting the Lincoln Way app settings inside the vehicle. This will remove all phones from the vehicle settings, you can simply add yours back, but the other people that used to own it wont have access anymore. Just a thought. And we can also rule that cause out.

Well allowing other people to control my car is interesting and yes, we bought it used from a dealer. I'll look into resetting the Lincoln Way app. I don't use that app but I will check into it.

 

[bbf2530]

Well allowing other people to control my car is interesting and yes, we bought it used from a dealer. I'll look into resetting the Lincoln Way app. I don't use that app but I will check into it.

Hi URDRWHO. You also need to perform a SYNC Master Reset in your vehicle. Especially if you have never used/connected the Lincoln app to your vehicle in the first place.

Performing a SYNC Master Reset of the SYNC system in your vehicle will delete all previous owners phones, Lincoln app connections etc. etc., which is what you need to do.

I’m not sure of the proper SYNC Master Reset procedure for your 2021, but you should be able to go into the system settings on your SYNC screen and find the button for a Master Reset.

If you can’t find it, the instructions are in the Owners Manual.

And if you don’t have your Owners Manual copy, you can download the PDF version from the Lincoln Owners website.

I’m sure others will also jump in to help, so keep us updated and good luck.

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[URDRWHO]

And if you don’t have your Owners Manual copy, you can download the PDF version from the Lincoln Owners website.

I've never been able to find an owners manual PDF on the Lincoln site. It is all HTML. Do you know if they have owners manuals in PDF?

I did find this during a search on Lincoln.com and I'll try it before the master reset.

SYNC 3

Before performing a master reset, try a system reset to restore functionality. The system reset does not delete any data you have stored.

Performing a System Reset

1. Press and hold the Seek up and the audio unit Power buttons simultaneously until the screen goes black. Wait for the system reset to complete.
2. Press the audio unit Power button to switch the system on.

 

[MattMacMan]

I've never been able to find an owners manual PDF on the Lincoln site. It is all HTML. Do you know if they have owners manuals in PDF?

I did find this during a search on Lincoln.com and I'll try it before the master reset.

SYNC 3

Before performing a master reset, try a system reset to restore functionality. The system reset does not delete any data you have stored.

Performing a System Reset

1. Press and hold the Seek up and the audio unit Power buttons simultaneously until the screen goes black. Wait for the system reset to complete.
2. Press the audio unit Power button to switch the system on.

The PDF guide version of your owners manual can be found here

 

[URDRWHO]

The PDF guide version of your owners manual can be found here

Thank ya very much!

 

[MattMacMan]

Thank ya very much!

You bet. I would highly recommend a master reset of sync as well as resetting Lincoln Way settings.

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[bbf2530]

I've never been able to find an owners manual PDF on the Lincoln site. It is all HTML. Do you know if they have owners manuals in PDF?

I did find this during a search on Lincoln.com and I'll try it before the master reset.

SYNC 3

Before performing a master reset, try a system reset to restore functionality. The system reset does not delete any data you have stored.

Performing a System Reset

1. Press and hold the Seek up and the audio unit Power buttons simultaneously until the screen goes black. Wait for the system reset to complete.
2. Press the audio unit Power button to switch the system on.

Sorry, I typed the below reply up earlier and just saw I never hit send. It’s now repeating some information that MattMacMan covered since I typed it:

Hi URDRWHO. To get rid of all vestiges of the old owner, you need to perform a SYNC Master Reset.

This will delete all previous stored phones, WiFI networks, LincolnWay/Lincoln app accounts, all connections from previous owners etc.

If similar to my vehicle, go into Settings>General>scroll down to Master Reset.
Press it and follow the prompts to perform the Master Reset.

Your system will then be free of any settings/connections etc. which previous owners may have set.
You will now need to reconnect your phones, WiFi connections etc.

Keep us updated and good luck.