[Ducky]

I have a 2011 SEL which i recently had repaired after a minor rear end collision. One of the casualties of the impact was the exterior trunk release switch by the license plate was destroyed. During the repair the dealer replaced the switch with a new one, however the new switch didn't work. Fearing that the new switch might be defective another new one was installed with the same results.

I spent 3 hours at the dealership while they tried to figure it out. They still don't know why the switch won't work so I'm asking the Taurus community if the answer is a simple one that i could fix myself.

What do you think...........

Ducky

 

[sfhess]

Whoever repaired the car should be the one to make it right.

 

[behlinla]

Did they check the wiring going to it? Accidents can crush or sever wires.

 

[caseitman]

will it work manually? when you put the key into the trunk key spot and turn right

 

[Ducky]

Whoever repaired the car should be the one to make it right.

Did they check the wiring going to it? Accidents can crush or sever wires.

will it work manually? when you put the key into the trunk key spot and turn right

The dealership is commited to fixing it but ther're just guessing and i don't feel like leaving the car there fo muliple days while they do so......

They checked the wiring harness, all the other electrical devices (eg License plate lights, trunk light) seem to be working fine. So i think it's safe to assume it was not cut. The impact was very minor, mostly cosmetic.

All other metods for opening the trunk work fine.

I have a real mysterey here, does the new switch need to be programmed somehow to the car so it recognizes it?

Ducky

 

[mattcow]

What about the RF proximity receiver for trunk? I have never checked, but there should be a seperate one in the rear of the car to activate the release button.

 

[behlinla]

Yes, do you have Intelligent Access (proximity key)? If so I believe you need a different trunk latch than a non-IA vehicle. So my guess is they used the wrong part.

I don't think replacing the latch should require any programing, but I can't be sure. Perhaps as part of the accident it disables something. If you have IA, do the regular doors lock and unlock normally when you leave the fob in you pocket?

 

[Ducky]

What about the RF proximity receiver for trunk? I have never checked, but there should be a seperate one in the rear of the car to activate the release button.

The rear end damage was so minor I can't see this device being damaged.

Yes, do you have Intelligent Access (proximity key)? If so I believe you need a different trunk latch than a non-IA vehicle. So my guess is they used the wrong part.

I don't think replacing the latch should require any programing, but I can't be sure. Perhaps as part of the accident it disables something. If you have IA, do the regular doors lock and unlock normally when you leave the fob in you pocket?

The car does have IA but it's not the trunk latch that was damaged. There is a little rubber button hidden up under the bumper cover by the license plate. With the FOB in my pocket i used to be able to open the trunk by pressing this button. However for some reason since the accident even with a new switch this function will no longer work.

It's a real mystery..........

 

[behlinla]

Oh, so the latch is fine. It's just the release button at the trunk not working.

With IA, the operation of the trunk is controlled by something called the remote function actuator (RFA) module. Not sure how electrically competent the techs are at your dealer, but they should check for power at the switch and also confirm it has a good ground. I'm not sure where the RFA is, but they should be checking it out as well.

At any rate, this is the first time this problem has surfaced here, so no quick fixes for this one.

 

[behlinla]

The only other thing I can think of is that the trunk antenna wasn't hooked up properly. If the trunk antenna isn't working, the RFA won't detect the key when you push the button and won't open the trunk.

So check the antenna as well.

 

[Ducky]

Where is this antenna located?

 

[behlinla]

Unfortunately your car is too new so I don't have access to the complete service information. My guess would be it's hidden somewhere behind the bumper cover (perhaps near where the release button is).

 

[mjhpadi]

I think Behlinla is on the right track, with the proximity detecting being the problem. I've had my key in my pocket and sometimes the trunk still would not unlatch using the release button. I've had to take the key out of my pocket to get it to work....however, if the dealership is having that much problem figuring it out, they should be on the phone with Ford to figure it out. I know my dealer has called Ford several times for assistance with minor problems, so this should be a no brainer for the dealer. And they would not need to have the car there when they called, they could probably get some ideas of what to do, then when you take the car in, they would have a direction to go.

 

[RegRog]

I have a 2013 Ford Taurus Limited that has NOT been in an accident of any kind and I use to be able to open my trunk by the exterior button down by the license plate ans mine randomly stopped working too. I use to use it just fine and it stopped functioning randomly and hasn't worked since. . . Same problem, no accident though.

 

[hribblett]

I have a 2013 Ford Taurus Limited that has NOT been in an accident of any kind and I use to be able to open my trunk by the exterior button down by the license plate ans mine randomly stopped working too. I use to use it just fine and it stopped functioning randomly and hasn't worked since. . . Same problem, no accident though.

Must be the time of year, same thing here Bought the car new in 2016, worked fine till this week, no accidents and kept in garage when not in use?