Liftgate (false) alarm

[melody52884]

I have a 2012 that just turned over 70,000 miles.

About 2 weeks ago, I got a "door ajar" notification on my dash along with a "liftgate open" notification where my backup camera is. I hit a bump and it went out. Another bump, back on. It's also illuminating my rear dome light. After that incident, it didn't happen again-- until today. It did it the ENTIRE time I drove to and from work (about 15 minutes each way). But this time it was triggering my automatic door locks with it. The door is shut and secure. No big deal, right? Well... until I got out of the vehicle. Normally when I use my key fob to lock the doors, the headlights flash and the horn sounds. Not this time. The doors locked, but acting like a door was open. Ok, I can deal with that. Wrong. The next thing I know, my car alarm was going off! I sprayed some WD-40 into the latch mechanism hoping it was gummed up. It didnt help matters.

To make it more confusing, I drove for about 30 minutes just an hour ago (so about 4 hours after the spraying) and it didn't have any issues at all. No notification, no beeping, nothing. But I'm currently leaving my vehicle unlocked for fear of setting off the alarm again.

Does anyone have experience with this? Will it require service at a dealership??

[Citron]

There is a switch somewhere, probably around the latch, that could be the issue. Might be a loose connection, bent mount, or sticky switch. Start with that, it is what sends the signal if the door is open or closed. Sorry I can't tell you where the switch is located, I don't have that new of a pathfinder to look.

 

Edit: From experience with other vehicles, it will probably be on the door itself, not the body.

Edited January 6, 2017 by Citron

[melody52884]

Thank you for your response! I will definitely try that-- if another answer I found doesn't work. It seems to be a common issue that the latch loop actually gets moved slightly causing the liftgate to latch but not be fully closed. Many people suggested taking the 2 bolts off on either side of the loop, shimming with washers, and reattaching the loop while pushing it forward (allowing the door the be closed tighter). I'm trying that when I get out of work.