How to disable hansdfeee lift gate sensor?

[nj16yukon]

So glad I found this thread. I've had my Yukon for 2 months and it's closed on me multiple times. Usually when loading something heavy (like a bag of mulch) where you need to get your feet in close to maintain balance. Size 13 shoes apparently not helping.

Personally, I think there are 2 design flaws:

1. Hands-free closing: Why even have this enabled? It's awkward if not dangerous since it requires you to stand under the gate, which is then compounded by...

2. No time delay when closing: Even using the liftgate button, I've almost knocked my head a few times because it's so instant. My '15 Durango has a warning beep and a small delay. Much safer setup.

I'm nitpicking here BTW, I do love this truck!

 

[chicagofan00]

So glad I found this thread. I've had my Yukon for 2 months and it's closed on me multiple times. Usually when loading something heavy (like a bag of mulch) where you need to get your feet in close to maintain balance. Size 13 shoes apparently not helping.

Personally, I think there are 2 design flaws:

1. Hands-free closing: Why even have this enabled? It's awkward if not dangerous since it requires you to stand under the gate, which is then compounded by...

2. No time delay when closing: Even using the liftgate button, I've almost knocked my head a few times because it's so instant. My '15 Durango has a warning beep and a small delay. Much safer setup.

I'm nitpicking here BTW, I do love this truck!

Weird, my Tahoe will beep at me and then give a 2 second or so delay before closing when I use it. I also think its perfect for being used to close the tailgate, for instance I use it all the time when I have my hands full of groceries to carry into the house and can't reach up to hit the button on the tailgate to close it.

 

[jeffbco]

So glad I found this thread. I've had my Yukon for 2 months and it's closed on me multiple times. Usually when loading something heavy (like a bag of mulch) where you need to get your feet in close to maintain balance. Size 13 shoes apparently not helping.

Personally, I think there are 2 design flaws:

1. Hands-free closing: Why even have this enabled? It's awkward if not dangerous since it requires you to stand under the gate, which is then compounded by...

2. No time delay when closing: Even using the liftgate button, I've almost knocked my head a few times because it's so instant. My '15 Durango has a warning beep and a small delay. Much safer setup.

I'm nitpicking here BTW, I do love this truck!

If it's operating as you described, something isn't working as it should - here's what the manual says about hands free operation:

When closing the liftgate using this

feature, there will be a short delay.

The rear lights will flash and a

chime will sound. Step away from

the liftgate before it starts moving.

 

[nj16yukon]

Thank you for the info. I definitely do not have a delay when using the button on the gate. And every time I've accidentally triggered the hands-free close, I was in a noisy environment so I have no idea if a chime sounded.

I still think the hands-free close is a poorly executed design. What if you're loading a large item and accidentally trigger it? 1 extra sensor would know if a person or object was in the way.

 

[AngelXL]

I'm using that liftgate a lot of times during the day... (CCTV installer & DJ on the weekends) i had a few times the liftgate come down on me but I usually get the warning beep and lights. If it comes down as soonest it taps my head Stops and goes back up. After that just close it manually or press the button to reset. My wife hits a lot harder than that liftgate...

 

[jeffbco]

Thank you for the info. I definitely do not have a delay when using the button on the gate. And every time I've accidentally triggered the hands-free close, I was in a noisy environment so I have no idea if a chime sounded.

I still think the hands-free close is a poorly executed design. What if you're loading a large item and accidentally trigger it? 1 extra sensor would know if a person or object was in the way.

I just tested mine again. You're right - no delay when using the button on the gate. But when using the motion detector (kick) method, you get tail lights flashing, chimes ringing...and then tail gate closing. While the delay may only be 3 or 4 seconds it was long enough for me to worry that the tail gate was not going to close and certainly long enough for me to get out of the way.

 

[nj16yukon]

I just tested mine again. You're right - no delay when using the button on the gate. But when using the motion detector (kick) method, you get tail lights flashing, chimes ringing...and then tail gate closing. While the delay may only be 3 or 4 seconds it was long enough for me to worry that the tail gate was not going to close and certainly long enough for me to get out of the way.

You're correct, there is a chime and a delay on the hands-free close. My issue occurred (twice) when I was loading bags of mulch into the back, with a running forklift behind me. No chance of hearing the chime, and didn't notice the flashing lights in the bright sun. Maybe those are unusual circumstances, but reading back through this thread tells me there are others who accidentally caused the closure, and didn't see/hear the warnings. In most cases this is no big deal, but I wouldn't want to be holding my newborn, and have the gate close while lifting a stroller into the back. With a hands-free close feature that may engage by accident, I'd argue that there needs to be extra safety features to prevent getting hit.

 

[chicagofan00]

You're correct, there is a chime and a delay on the hands-free close. My issue occurred (twice) when I was loading bags of mulch into the back, with a running forklift behind me. No chance of hearing the chime, and didn't notice the flashing lights in the bright sun. Maybe those are unusual circumstances, but reading back through this thread tells me there are others who accidentally caused the closure, and didn't see/hear the warnings. In most cases this is no big deal, but I wouldn't want to be holding my newborn, and have the gate close while lifting a stroller into the back. With a hands-free close feature that may engage by accident, I'd argue that there needs to be extra safety features to prevent getting hit.

What more would be a feasible safety feature at this point beside removing the feature entirely? An even longer delay? Last thing I'd want is to have to wait 10-15 seconds for it to close, I get into the truck only to have to get back out because the tailgate refused to close automatically because something happened to be in the way. I suppose a couple honks of the horn could be better than the beep but I'd find that much more obnoxious of a warning than the beep and lights flashing.

 

[jeffbco]

You're correct, there is a chime and a delay on the hands-free close. My issue occurred (twice) when I was loading bags of mulch into the back, with a running forklift behind me. No chance of hearing the chime, and didn't notice the flashing lights in the bright sun. Maybe those are unusual circumstances, but reading back through this thread tells me there are others who accidentally caused the closure, and didn't see/hear the warnings. In most cases this is no big deal, but I wouldn't want to be holding my newborn, and have the gate close while lifting a stroller into the back. With a hands-free close feature that may engage by accident, I'd argue that there needs to be extra safety features to prevent getting hit.

All valid, good concerns...wonder what other manufacturers are doing for safety - Ford, etc.?

 

[nj16yukon]

What more would be a feasible safety feature at this point beside removing the feature entirely? An even longer delay? Last thing I'd want is to have to wait 10-15 seconds for it to close, I get into the truck only to have to get back out because the tailgate refused to close automatically because something happened to be in the way. I suppose a couple honks of the horn could be better than the beep but I'd find that much more obnoxious of a warning than the beep and lights flashing.

A sensor on the lift gate could easily detect an object in the way. I do engineering for the food industry, and there are numerous types of safety sensors that manufacturers utilize on machinery...proximity sensors, light curtains, photoeyes, etc. My guess is that GM (and perhaps the whole auto industry) has decided that the "safety feature" is the gate reversing when it feels resistance from hitting an object. My question would be, is that acceptable when the object is your kid's head? Not trying to be argumentative here, I may be exaggerating the risk.