Drive Unit: Description
Vehicles equipped with a power liftgate, utilize a power liftgate drive unit. The drive unit assembly (Fig 1) consists of a DC motor, optical sensor, clutch, full-open switch, rack, housing/bracket assembly and wire harness. The clutch and motor portion (Fig 2) of the assembly provides the power and torque required to open or close the liftgate under the worst case conditions. The optical sensor is used to provide the liftgate control module with a clutch/motor speed signal. This speed signal is used to monitor any resistance of liftgate travel and allows the liftgate control module to detect obstructions and control the liftgate accordingly. The clutch assembly is used to allow automatic power open/close mode and/or full manual operation, if desired. The full-open switch is used to let the liftgate control module know when the liftgate is approaching the full open position.
Replaceable components of the power liftgate drive unit assembly are the complete unit, motor alone, optical sensor, full-open switch, link rod, channel/brackets/clutch/rack and shoes/yoke assembly. Refer to in this group for more component details.
The drive unit and components cannot be adjusted or repaired and if damaged they must be replaced. Consult your Mopar™ parts catalog for a specific part number.