Trunk/Tailgate Will Not Open. Any Help Appreciated

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Old Oct 19, 2011 | 05:02 AM
  #1  
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Trunk/Tailgate Will Not Open. Any Help Appreciated

Azine,

I have an issue with my 07 RDX with Tech package in regards to the rear tailgate. For a while (a few months, I've persisted with this issue), my tailgate will not open with the exterior switch above the license plate frame, and yes I have tried with all of the doors unlocked. Currently, if I need to access the trunk and/or cargo area, I must crawl in the back and manually flip the switch...which really...really..sucks. To my knowledge, there is no valet-switch in the RDX like there is in the TL that locks the tailgate from being opened, but if I am wrong, will someone please correct me? Regardless, my hopes are that someone here will chime in with some input...if not, I'll end up taking this to the stealership to get a repair quote.

Thanks in advance for any help and responses
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Old Nov 3, 2012 | 10:06 PM
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Did anyone ever reply to this? I am having the same issue on my 2007 MDX. Key, Button on driver side and manual lift on exterior tailgate all will not open the tailgate.
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 01:56 AM
  #3  
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There is an actuator that locks and unlocks the door. I would start by listening for that motor to be working, its not hard to hear if you are standing behind the car. Obviously if you dont hear the gear working to unlock the door there is probably something wrong with it.

Could be that or something with the wiring. The wires run through the top of the door. Assuming your break lights work and nothing has happened to where the wires are run then its probably the actuator. They do go bad.
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 05:30 PM
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i have the same problem with my rdx... i was told to check for a fuse, but the fuse diagram doesn’t say anything for tru
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 03:31 PM
  #5  
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Ya, I would grab a test lamp and check the fuse box under the hood, or I believe there is one on the passenger side low @ the floor-board
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 05:28 PM
  #6  
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If you can do some basic maintenance, run jumper wires and use a multi-meter, there are simple tests you can do to check the tailgate release actuator, the tailgate latch switch and the tailgate outer handle switch.

Most likely either the tailgate latch or the outer handle switch needs replaced.
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 01:26 PM
  #7  
MK86's Avatar
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Originally Posted by melindamax
Did anyone ever reply to this? I am having the same issue on my 2007 MDX. Key, Button on driver side and manual lift on exterior tailgate all will not open the tailgate.
did you ever get this figureed out? I am having the same issue.
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Old Apr 2, 2018 | 10:28 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by MK86
did you ever get this figureed out? I am having the same issue.
The guy that posted before you, albeit nearly 6 years ago, mostly covered it. The issue is that the handle is nothing more than a digital switch to activate a separate release mechanism - it's not a direct mechanical connection between the handle and the gate. So, a number of things can cause this issue:

1. Handle not making contact (closing the circuit) to send the signal to the mechanism to open
2. Mechanism motor is broken, needs replacement
3. Some other break in wiring between battery and mechanism that is cutting power (i.e. fuse)
4. Who knows...I probably forgot something. ><

I personally would guess at #2, but with a multimeter you can trace the current and see if there are any wiring issues.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 12:38 AM
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I just bought a 2007 Acura MDX on Monday. The inside button and remote were working at the dealership and that night when trying to get fuel..... Nothing! Not even the fuel door opened! We have figured out that if you turn your key to ACC and then push the buttons on the drivers side door, everything works as advertised except the key fob to open the rear door. This is all unacceptable to me! Therefore it's not a fuse, motor, or actuator. It's something else. Again, Acura/Honda covering up What they can't get to work or just not wanting to fix!
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Old Oct 2, 2018 | 10:30 AM
  #10  
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A Trunk Lock Actuator, is all you need most likely to fix this problem. I had the same problem and that’s what I needed. I provided a link to the part I used to fix mine. Remember I have a 2009 Acura RDX Tech, check for your specific vehicle to make sure it’s the right one for you. Also, this is a first generation RDX forum. I’m not sure why so many others have been asking questions in our forum...

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...459%7CL4*11846
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Old Jan 28, 2019 | 10:26 PM
  #11  
D. Spring's Avatar
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May be the rear tailgate actuator

Originally Posted by Iakonafuji
Azine,

I have an issue with my 07 RDX with Tech package in regards to the rear tailgate. For a while (a few months, I've persisted with this issue), my tailgate will not open with the exterior switch above the license plate frame, and yes I have tried with all of the doors unlocked. Currently, if I need to access the trunk and/or cargo area, I must crawl in the back and manually flip the switch...which really...really..sucks. To my knowledge, there is no valet-switch in the RDX like there is in the TL that locks the tailgate from being opened, but if I am wrong, will someone please correct me? Regardless, my hopes are that someone here will chime in with some input...if not, I'll end up taking this to the stealership to get a repair quote.

Thanks in advance for any help and responses
https://repairpal.com/estimator/acur...placement-cost
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Old Dec 5, 2019 | 07:45 PM
  #12  
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Hello, I'm having a similar issue myself on my 2007 RDX. My hatch door isn't opening and I replaced the mechanism at the bottom of the door and that didn't fix the issue. Now I'm wondering if its the button I press in when opening the hatch itself (near the license platte lights). Also, I'm not hearing the hatch door unlock when I use the key fob. Could I the something else?
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Old Apr 18, 2020 | 07:55 AM
  #13  
HBob's Avatar
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Data point for people having tailgate issues: my upper brake light burnt out and then the tailgate would not open. After removing the burnt out bulb the tailgate started to work again.
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Old Apr 18, 2020 | 08:13 PM
  #14  
Altair's Avatar
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Originally Posted by HBob
...my upper brake light burnt out and then the tailgate would not open. After removing the burnt out bulb the tailgate started to work again.
Thank you for the info!

Could there be something else going on?

Had same bulb burned, yet did not affect the opening of the tailgate, tailgate worked before and after i replaced the bulb.
2008-base.
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Old May 9, 2020 | 08:18 AM
  #15  
HBob's Avatar
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Mine is still acting up, mostly works but still on occasion doesnt open.
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Old May 9, 2020 | 03:50 PM
  #16  
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Check for the lock actuators being burnt out. They would start clicking then go silent and stop working. Also the rubber will get stuck if you don’t open it for a while especially if it’s hot. Plus the two struts rust and might need to be replaced.
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Old May 14, 2020 | 07:00 PM
  #17  
HBob's Avatar
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Thanks, I think its the lock as it no longer makes a sound when pressing the rubber button. Will order one this weekend and report back if that does the trick
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Old May 23, 2020 | 08:51 AM
  #18  
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I have recently done some work on my RDX and noticed that if you have the door wires disconnected, the trunk wont work. drivers or passenger same thing. Some people have had problems with wire connectors because of water leaks, see if any water leaks near the doors and see if any wires connectors are starting to get oxidation.
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Old Dec 3, 2023 | 01:44 PM
  #19  
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I have the same problem with my 2010 RDX. I have a new actuator but can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the interior trim to get at it. I've downloaded the 2007 service manual but it looks totally different to my 2010 as far as the trim pieces are concerned. Does anyone have the instructions for disassembling the rear tailgate (interior side) of a 2010? Any help is appreciated.
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Old Dec 4, 2023 | 04:54 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Jeff Bowyer
I have the same problem with my 2010 RDX. I have a new actuator but can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the interior trim to get at it. I've downloaded the 2007 service manual but it looks totally different to my 2010 as far as the trim pieces are concerned. Does anyone have the instructions for disassembling the rear tailgate (interior side) of a 2010? Any help is appreciated.
If you can't get the tailgate open there's a little access panel at the bottom of the interior panel, you can pry the cover off and rotate the latch to open the tailgate. If the tailgate is open see below to remove inner tailgate panel.


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