Mitsubishi Outlander: Liftgate

GENERAL INFORMATION

LIFTGATE OPENER CONTROL FUNCTION

When the liftgate lock release handle is operated to open the liftgate (the liftgate lock release handle open switch turns ON) while the vehicle is parked, ETACS-ECU turns the unlock relay output ON for 0.3 second, thus the liftgate can be opened by the liftgate lock release handle.

SEALANT

LIFTGATE DIAGNOSIS

INTRODUCTION TO LIFTGATE DIAGNOSIS

Difficult locking/unlocking, uneven clearance, and wind noise from the liftgate may be due to improper adjustment of the liftgate.

LIFTGATE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLESHOOTING STRATEGY

Use these steps to plan your diagnostic strategy. If you follow them carefully, you will be sure that you have exhausted most of the possible ways to find a liftgate fault.

1. Gather information from the customer.

2. Verify that the condition described by the customer exists.

3. Find the malfunction by following the Symptom Chart.

4. Verify malfunction is eliminated.

SYMPTOM CHART

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 1: Difficult Locking and Unlocking

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the engagement of the liftgate latch and liftgate striker.

Q: Are the liftgate latch and liftgate striker engaged correctly?

YES : Then go to Step 2.

NO : Align the liftgate latch and liftgate striker.

STEP 2. Retest the system.

Q: Does the liftgate lock operate normally?

YES : The procedure is complete.

NO : Return to Step 1.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 2: Uneven Body Clearance

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the clearance around the liftgate.

Q: Is the liftgate installed correctly?

YES : Go to Step 2.

NO : Adjust clearance around liftgate .

STEP 2. Retest the system.

Q: Is the clearance around the liftgate even?

YES : The procedure is complete.

NO : Return to Step 1.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 3: Uneven Height

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check the liftgate damper height.

Q: Is the liftgate damper height proper?

YES : Go to Step 2.

NO : Adjust the liftgate damper. Then go to Step2.

STEP 2. Retest the system.

Q: Is the height between the liftgate and body panels even?

YES : The procedure is complete.

NO : Return to Step 1.

SPECIAL TOOL

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

LIFTGATE ALIGNMENT

Required Special Tool:

• MB990939: Remover Bar

LIFTGATE UPPER ALIGNMENT

• If the striker is not engaged with the latch properly, adjust by loosening the striker mounting screws.

• If the clearance between the liftgate and the body is uneven, loosen the liftgate-side liftgate hinge mounting bolts to adjust it.

LIFTGATE LOWER ALIGNMENT

If the striker does not engage with the latch properly, remove the quarter trim lower (Refer to GROUP 52A - Interior Trim). Replace the striker mounting screws with temporary bolts, and use the special tool (remover bar MB990939) and a hammer to tap the bolt head in the desired direction to adjust the striker position.

If the clearances between the liftgate lower and the body (rear bumper assembly) at left and right are uneven, adjust the liftgate lower as follows.

1. Remove the rear bumper covers and reflectors located at left and right sides of the rear bumper assembly.

2. Loosen the liftgate hinge mounting bolts as shown in the illustration located at left and right sides of the body, and slide the liftgate lower to adjust its position so that the clearances between the liftgate lower and body (rear bumper assembly) at left and right become even.

3. Tighten the liftgate hinge mounting bolts to the specified torque.

ADJUSTMENT OF LIFTGATE HEIGHT

Rotate the damper by using the arrow mark on the damper as a guide to adjust the liftgate height. The damper height is altered by roughly 3 mm (0.12 inch) when the damper is rotated once.

NOTE: If a rattling noise is heard due to the vibration of the liftgate when the vehicle is being driven, adjust the damper height until the damper is seated on the vehicle body. The damper should be seated on the vehicle body regardless of a rattling noise.

LIFTGATE

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION <LIFTGATE UPPER>

Pre-removal operation

• Liftgate spoiler assembly removal
• Liftgate trim assembly removal
• Rear wiper motor removal

Post-installation operation

• Liftgate alignment
• Adjustment of liftgate height
• Rear wiper motor installation
• Liftgate trim assembly installation
• Liftgate spoiler assembly installation

Liftgate upper assembly removal steps

1. Damper
2. Harness connector

• Rear combination light assembly

3. Liftgate gas spring assembly
4. Liftgate upper assembly

• Headlining assembly

5. Liftgate hinge
6. Ball joint

Liftgate opening weatherstrip removal steps

7. Liftgate gas spring ball joint connection
8. Liftgate opening weatherstrip

REMOVAL SERVICE POINT

LIFTGATE GAS SPRING ASSEMBLY REMOVAL

CAUTION

• Do not disassemble or throw the liftgate gas spring into the fire.
• Before disposal, make a hole to remove the gas.
• Make sure that the piston rod should not collect any foreign particles.

As shown in the figure, slide the pin and remove the liftgate gas spring assembly from the ball joint in the direction of the arrow.

INSTALLATION SERVICE POINTS

LIFTGATE OPENING WEATHERSTRIP INSTALLATION

1. The marking on the upper center of the liftgate opening weatherstrip should be positioned at the center of the vehicle body.

2. Install the weatherstrip according to the order shown in the figure.

3. Install the weatherstrip according to the direction shown by the arrow in the figure.

LIFTGATE HINGE INSTALLATION

Apply the specified sealant to the liftgate hinge mounting surface, and install the liftgate hinge.

Specified Sealant: 3M AAD Part No. 8531 Heavy drip check sealer, 3M AAD Part No. 8646 Automotive joint and seam sealer or equivalent

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION <LIFTGATE LOWER>

Post-installation operation

• Liftgate alignment

Liftgate lower assembly removal steps

1. Cover
2. Liftgate cable mounting bolt
3. Liftgate lower garnish
4. Liftgate hinge mounting bolt
5. Liftgate lower assembly

Striker removal steps

• Quarter trim lower

6. Striker

Liftgate cable removal steps

• Quarter trim lower

7. Liftgate cable

Liftgate hinge removal steps

1. Cover

• Rear bumper assembly

8. Liftgate hinge

INSTALLATION SERVICE POINT

STRIKER INSTALLATION

Install the striker so that the striker center does not deviate more than +-1.5 mm (0.06 inch) from the latch center.

LIFTGATE HANDLE AND LATCH

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION <LIFTGATE UPPER>

Post-installation operation

• Liftgate alignment

Striker removal steps

• Liftgate trim

1. Striker

Liftgate lock release handle removal steps

• Liftgate trim
• Rear wiper motor assembly

2. Liftgate lock release handle

Liftgate latch removal steps

• Liftgate trim

3. Ground bolt
4. Liftgate latch assembly

INSTALLATION SERVICE POINT

STRIKER INSTALLATION

Install the striker so that the striker center does not deviate more than +-1.5 mm (0.06 inch) from the latch center.

INSPECTION

LIFTGATE LOCK RELEASE HANDLE (LIFTGATE OPEN SWITCH) CHECK

<VEHICLES WITH KOS>

LIFTGATE LOCK RELEASE HANDLE (LIFTGATE LOCK SWITCH) CHECK

<VEHICLES WITH KOS>

LIFTGATE LOCK ACTUATOR CHECK

LIFTGATE LATCH SWITCH CHECK

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION <LIFTGATE LOWER>

Post-installation operation

• Liftgate alignment

Liftgate lock release handle knob removal

1. Liftgate lock release handle knob

Striker removal steps

1. Liftgate lock release handle knob

• Liftgate lower trim

2. Striker

Liftgate latch removal steps

1. Liftgate lock release handle knob

• Liftgate lower trim

3. Liftgate handle controller
4. Liftgate latch

Liftgate weatherstrip removal

5. Liftgate weatherstrip

INSTALLATION SERVICE POINTS

LIFTGATE WEATHERSTRIP INSTALLATION

1. The marking on the liftgate weatherstrip should be positioned at the center of the liftgate lower.

2. Install the weatherstrip according to the order shown in the figure.

3. Install the weatherstrip according to the direction shown by the arrow in the figure.

STRIKER INSTALLATION

Install the striker so that the striker center does not deviate more than +-1.5 mm (0.06 in) from the latch center.

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