We have a 2005 RX330 the tailgate will only open manually with the latch above the license plate. It will close automatically by pushing the button on the tailgate. We have replaced the batteries in both remotes. There is no control button in the glovebox as we where told. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Could be weak struts. I.e., does it take a little effort to open it?

 

Some but not to much. My wife is able to lift it. Sometimes the lights blink sometimes they don’t.

 

With the symptoms, it points towards the struts. You have a 2005 and if you have not replaced them yet, time to do it now. It gets worse during winter time. They are very reasonable in price and very easy to replace. Just select ones with good reviews. Better replace weak struts, ask me why...got my head bump on the front hood one time, no blood spilled. Immediately ordered hood and rear latch struts. All of my Lexus cars have new struts.

 

Thank you so much for the help. I have ordered a set for $44

 

You must have the only lexus that does not have that button.

Here is a page from the 2005 RX owners manual that shows where the button is. See # 21 along the bottom towards the right corner. There is more about it if you scroll down a few pages.

Here is the direct link to the owners manual:
https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...f/OM48566U.pdf

If you go to https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/ you can look at/download the owners manual. If you sign up with the web site using the VIN, you can see the service history for the car as performed by a lexus dealer, among other things.

 

This is probably "way out there" as a solution, but you never know. Possibly the previous owner did not want anyone to control the tailgate other than by the setting of the switch in the glove box. If he removed the switch and connected the wires so that the door was always in the "locked" position, that could be why you cannot find the switch. Stranger things have been done. Bob

 

Hi friends,

Bad struts will cause this because they don't have enough lift.

I replaced mine last year(2004 RX330) and it fixed it.

Good luck!