Hello and happy new year to all! I purchased an 08 RX350 for my wife recently and have been trying to get the power tailgate to operate correctly. It opens and stays open with the remote or the button on the dash but I cannot get it to close with the remote or dash button. I have tried resetting it by manually opening and closing it several times. No luck. I checked the struts. They seem okay although I can lift the gate a little more by hand once open. When I request the tailgate close by holding the remote button I can hear a soft click from the rear of the vehicle so something is happening. Is there a sensor for obstructions that can cause this issue? Does anyone know where I can get a wiring schematic for the power tailgate? Thanks guys.

 

Does it close when you push in on the black pad on the bottom of the open tailgate?

 

Hello Rainbird, no it does not. close. Also I do not hear the soft click of a contact closing or opening as when I use the remote.

 

First check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes. The attached image is from the 2008 RX Service Manual.

 

nbingram, welcome to CL. As suggested above, check your fuses.

 

there is a switch in the glove box on the left side that shuts the automatic operation off. I just recently hit that switch when checking my tpms adjustment. the switch may be in the off position. In your owners manual it is listed with location.

 

You can try the switch in the glove box...but if that was off it wouldn't open with the buttons either. To do the reset you will need to disconnect the car battery for a few minutes. Simply opening and closing it manually won't reset the tailgate unless power was lost.

 

Thanks jakenbake, that was the issue. A reset after the battery disconnect did the job!

 

Yay! Glad it was an easy fix.