Rear power lift gate has quit working on my 2011 SRX. no place to put the key. Is there a battery someplace that has to be changed?

1,970

Asked by flynnb23 Apr 24, 2016 at 12:45 PM about the Cadillac SRX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I even tried to turn the power lift gate button inside the vehicle ...turned to the
off position to try to open manually and it won't budge!
So stupid there is no place for the key!

30 Answers

1,970

So where is the fuse when the power lift gate does not work? Can I do myself?

197 people found this helpful.
590

what if you change the fuse and it still won't work?

59 people found this helpful.
460

I am having the exact same problem on my 2011 SRX

46 people found this helpful.
150

Mine did the same thing and had to get a new touch pad installed

15 people found this helpful.
430

You can go to you tube and watch the video on how to open the lift gate when there is no power ,you have to fold down the back seat and pop off the little lite cover on the base of the lift gate ,there you can put in a screwdriver to pop the latch ,and yes ,why they didn’t add a key hole on the outside is stupid

43 people found this helpful.
140

enter via backseat. remove inner trunk cover and foam liner. on lower floor towards rear you will see tailgate hydraulic unit and module sitting down low (most likely in water). the smaller box is the module. remove center connector, locate light blue and brown wires, with power probe, apply power to blue wire and ground to brown, have someone lift lid when latch release. you may have to switch power and ground around if the 1st try didn't do it. (buffy, tired of dumb designs)

14 people found this helpful.
80

Is the lift gate module and bag up camera together making each other not work

8 people found this helpful.
300

Mine quit yesterday, found how to open via YouTube. Took control panel out, no sign of water or moisture, unit was dry with no corrosion. Now what...is there a way to test these?

30 people found this helpful.
400

It is neither the fuse nor the battery. What is most common is that there is a roof drain hose leak that has allowed water to enter the interior of the vehicle. In the rear cargo area, beneath all the trim, this water accumulates into a veritable swimming pool. At the bottom of that swimming pool lies your liftgate control module. Electronics do not fair well under water. There lies your problem. Fix the roof drain hoses first. They expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations and the flimsy grommet at the end pops out of the firewall leaving the water to drain into the interior. Second, replace the liftgate control module. GM has known about this problem for a very long time but declines to fix it. In a tongue- in-cheek defense of GM, I do acknowledge that they allowed a reimbursement for these repairs during 2015-2017; but if it's happening to you now, you're SOL. My 2012 SRX had these repairs done in 2015. Unsurprisingly though, it is happening again; and I am having to repair it all by myself again out-of-pocket. Piss poor engineering and appalling lack of customer care on the part of GM. Sadly enough, however, I am trading in for an Escalade. Caddy still has style and I don't want to buy Ford or foreign. What can I say?

40 people found this helpful.
310

Hi Derek! Thank you for the post. I bought a new board and installed it and I have no power. I looked at all the fuses and they look fine. When I press the remote the lights blink twice but there is not "click" inside the fusebox that would tell me if it was activating the control board. Any ideas on how to see where the break in power is going to the lift gate?

31 people found this helpful.
110

i replaced the liftgate module still not workin does anybody knows why

11 people found this helpful.
210

in regards to the trunk gate not opening. i do believe its cause water got into the interior and has ruin the wires so it sounds like i need to fix leak first and then replace trunk device... does anyone know how much that will cost me (i will have to take into garage to get fixed, just want an ideal of how much i'm looking at? thanks

21 people found this helpful.
130

Hey guys. This may only apply to 2014 SRX, but there is a manual release on the liftgate. Its just above the license plate where you would naturally lift up on the gate. The power to mine is fried as well, but at least I can open and close with ease manually.

13 people found this helpful.
60

Mine will not let go to open manually. I can’t deal with this with wheelchairs but I need in it if it’s never electric again

6 people found this helpful.
20

My truck will not open and now my sunroof is leaking from the front to the back!!!! Cadillac SRX 2011 does anyone now a good Body Shop in the Atlanta area?

2 people found this helpful.
30

I was freaking out because within the past 2 weeks my amplifier went out, which controls all interior sounds and speakers, plus my ac condenser is broken! Then today I couldn’t open the rear lift gate! Thank goodness I noticed that the push button on the driver’s side door was turned to the off position ! Easy fix for once. This is a 2012 SRX btw.

3 people found this helpful.
100

I replaced module in my 2011 SRX, 2 times because of water. First time it worked, but second time, new module is not working... Main system is not recognizing it. It is like there is no module installed at all. Fuse is ok. What can be the problem? I live in Europe, and I have to order all parts from US, and wait whole month for them. It is very annoying to use trunk from inside of the car, because the hatch is locked.

10 people found this helpful.
50

they little reservoir tank on your Cadillac at may have a crack in the bottom line did and it leaked in LinkedIn leaked and I couldn't find it couldn't see it and it was so my new 2D enginethey didn't evaporate you might want to have a shot test it it's a long pipe that goes all the way across the back of the engine so it's a little rough to find good luck man

2 people found this helpful.
110

No one ever answered the question as to where the fuse is located.

11 people found this helpful.
100

Drivers side - back access panel - use flat head screwdriver to open it. The fuses are all outlined in my manual. 2 fuses for lift gate. Replaced mine - didn't work. Replaced 1 module - still not working. Guess I'm forking out the bigger bucks to get the other modular. DAMNED CAR - not happy w/my first Cadillac!!!

10 people found this helpful.
90

Ok... this might help. But the sunroof drains on my srx ruined my power lift gate controls. My son and I fixed the drains ourselves since it was going to cost an arm and a leg for Cadillac to do it. Then I was going to have to replace two different things for the liftgate. It’s been over a year since then and I do not remember the names of both but one controls just the locking and unlocking of the liftgate. In other words, the module I did replace right away helped me to be able to use my FOB and the little tiny lift gate release button under outside handle in back. Now after I bought the part, my son and I put it in. Then, I found out I Would have to have Cadillac program it. It’s a crock! So it cost me $100.00 to have Cadillac program it for it to work. Ok so it works. BUT ... I still to this day need to replace the motor that lifts the lift gate up. I haven’t done it yet. So I still unlock with FOB or little button in back but lift my lift gate manually with my hands. I just wanted you to know about the programming.... that may be your issue.

6 people found this helpful.
90

Ok... this might help. The sunroof drains on my srx ruined my power lift gate controls. My son and I fixed the drains ourselves since it was going to cost an arm and a leg for Cadillac to do it. Then I was going to have to replace two different things for the liftgate. It’s been over a year since then and I do not remember the names of both but one controls just the locking and unlocking of the liftgate. In other words, the module I did replace right away helped me to be able to use my FOB and the little tiny lift gate release button under outside handle in back. Now after I bought the part, my son and I put it in. Then, I found out I Would have to have Cadillac program it. It’s a crock! So it cost me $100.00 to have Cadillac program it for it to work. Ok so it works. BUT ... I still to this day need to replace the motor that lifts the lift gate up. I haven’t done it yet. So I still unlock with FOB or little button in back but lift my lift gate manually with my hands. I just wanted you to know about the programming.... that may be your issue.

3 people found this helpful.
20

Does anyone know if the module has to be the same number? Or are there interchangeable lift gate control mods parts.

2 people found this helpful.
140

I just fixes my rear hatch. It was cheep and worked great. I picked up a module from Amazon for $105 Canadian. Plugged it in and no programming needed. I took the motor out and dried the foam for a few days in the sun. I cleaned up the motor and also tested it. The two wires can be powered by 12 v and does not matter positive or negative. One way it goes up and revers the contacts and it will go down. Let the motor dry for a few day if needed. Leave hydrolic lines plugged in. The brushes may need some WD40 to clean up. Mine did not go at first but then after I turned and up and down it went. I did take the motor off the pump. But not needed. Don’t loose the spring inside and have the fluid cylinder down so fluid does not leak out. I drilled two small holes on each side of lower pan to allow any future water to drain out. I did blow air into all four sunroof drain lines so not sure the source of water. My srx is a 12 and have had it for 5 years. First time issue. My modular number was 20954189 Replaced with after marked no name using 20837967 So don’t go to the dealer and do it yourself. Thanks to others who showed my how.

9 people found this helpful.
140

I just repaired my 2012 SRX with aftermarket modular. I got from Amazon for $105. I also drilled two small whole in the Pan on each side to allow any water to drain out. It has been dry since. I pulled the pump out and dried in the sun for a few days and also the foam that is around the pump. I tested the pump using 12v . It did not work at first and I put some WD 40 in the brushes and turned the windings a little and off it wend revers the polarity and it will go the other way. Keep the hoses plugged in when doing the test. I did take the motor off the pump. Don’t lose the spring inside and keep the fluid resivour lower than the motor or you will loose fluid. My part number was 20954189 and the number I used as replacement was compatible with 20837967. It was cheap and easy fix. Thanks to others who have also posted info

2 people found this helpful.

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