If you look at the owner's manual they state something about the TG not working in weather in the 20 deg. range.

 

Sellinghomes4u,

Are you serious ??? I didn't see that in the manual. I will look again. I have an 02 and my gate won't go up either. It pops open but don't lift up. I also have the same problem with the drivers sliding door. It pops open but then won't retract open. If the sliding door don't work neither will the lift gate. It does seem to NOT work alot more in the cold weather though. I don't recall seeing anything in the manual though about the gate not opening in cold weather.

 

Reading the 2005 Owners Manual - Page 36.

The Power liftgate will not operate in temperatures below -12 degrees F ( -24 degrees C ) or temperatures above 143 degrees F ( 62 degrees C ). Be sure to remove any build-up of snow or ice from the lifgtate before pressing any of the power liftgate buttons.

This does not mean that you can not open it manually at those temperatures.

 

Ok, that is far from 20 degrees F. I will read my 2002 manual and see what that says.

 

Our 2001 manual also states the temp range.

KC.

 

I think the liftgate uses pressurized gas struts to counter balance the weight of the liftgate. As they age, they leak and they lose pressure when cold.

(remember high school physics gas law; PV=nRT)

Solution: replace the gas struts.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. Think about your garage door. You can open it pretty easily, right? Now disconnect the springs. That thing is so heavy, you couldn't lift it if you tried.

The pressurized gas struts on your tailgate work like the springs on a garage door. They counterbalance the weight of the door, and allow you to open it. They lose pressure over time. If you are opening it by hand, you may have to hold it up in cold weather. Or just give up. Translate that to an electric motor, and the motor would quit or burn out.

While the owner's manual may state that it shouldn't work at certain temperatures, the reality is that if the van is 5 years old, the limit temperature ends up being higher because the struts have lost some of their charge.

Replace the struts, and it will be better.

 

OK, I'll try replacing the struts. Anyone know a good source to purchase these from?

Thanks

 

I know that CarQuest has them. Any major Auto Parts place should have them.

 

I am also having the same problem with my 2002 T&C. My lift gate want open on its own and the driver's sliding door is doing the same thing.

 

It's definitely not the weather

I've got the 2001 T & C and I live in San Diego where it's pretty much 70 degrees year round. Not saying the weather won't effect it, but I have the same problem.

My rear gate beeps but needs to be assisted by hand to open. It has slowly began working less and less frequently over the last year to not at all now. When I lift it half way it will go to the top by itself, and it will shut with the remote with no assistance. Side doors are fine.

Makes sense about the weight and the pressurized gas struts, but I haven't the time to look into fixing it yet.

I just found this looking for some info on the front brakes. Needed the 7mm hex (thanks for who mentioned it). But I've taken the caliper off and the rotor rotate, but wobbles around. I'm guessing the bearings and searching for similar info now...so if anyone has thoughts, please.