BUYER BEWARE: 3rd Gen Plug-N-Play Tailgate Bolt-N-Lock & Tailgate Bolt-N-Open

I am skeptical that it's your battery, I only have 6k miles on my 2020 and its behavior closely mirrors yours in this respect. I'm curious what would be the result by adding a 3rd actuator slaved off the opener actuator mounted to pull the left side latch in tandem. That would result in a pretty congested tailgate tho, so maybe that's not the solution. Plus, for what this cost (even at a discount) I was hoping that it would just "work" without this much agitation.

 

I completely agree. I kinda wonder if there isn't just a batch of bad/insufficient actuators that got sent out. My truck is '16, but its in good shape. The latches work well and easily with the tailgate handle.

 

I think it's definitely a factor, I laid out original (what came with the kit) and new (what I bought off of Amazon) and swapped wiring back and forth with the actuators not connected to anything and there's a noticeable difference in their range of movement, so there's that. One other thing, on your DCIM module, what color is your steady "on" led? Mine is green, but all of the instructions I've read say that led should be red, nowhere says anything about green. I've messaged DCIM about it but haven't gotten his response yet. I'm guessing maybe it's a newer/updated arduino version, as I would think green is what indication you would want to see anyway.

 

Unfortunately; I'm red/green color-blind, and I just know that the LED comes on

I actually found that my truck was wired differently that expected and my unit wasn't working at all. @DISM told me that I should be seeing a constant 12v on Pin 9 where the red wire comes out of the adapter harness. I only got about 6v and then only when the key was turned to the accessory setting. Playing with a multi-meter, I found the the #7 pin was showing a constant 12v so I swapped the wires in the harness. After I did that; the LEDs seemed to be acting like in the video and I got the Actuator for the latch to operate, just not sufficiently to open the latch. I have a video of the LEDs, but only before my swap - so they could have changed colors and I would never know

 

Well dang, yours would be a good case to argue for labels being placed on the wires! I already smoked the first DCIM module that came with the kit because the wire colors looked too similar in the low light of my garage. I'm probably just going to wait until I hear from him before I do anything else since this mod is getting more and more expensive and it still isn't working 100%. (The lock/unlock works perfectly now, and that was my priority, so I can afford to be patient I guess). What I CAN'T afford to do is keep buying $80 modules because I can't tell the difference between blue and green. Labels sure would have been nice....

 

I'm in the same boat and plan to wait until I hear back from @KTJO 4x4 and or @DSIM before taking any further steps. My only issue is that I really bought the kit for the tailgate opener as I don't have a Tonneau Cover to make the lock really matter Maybe I should pick up a "BAK Revolver X2 Tonneau Cover" for father's day, but I've seen so many folks who had issues after a year or so, that I'm kinda afraid to do that.

 

Probably a good idea. I think generally they're responsive, but between the long weekend and work schedules they have they're busy just like the rest of us, so patience is a virtue I guess. This is my 2nd Tacoma, and both had/have the factory tri-fold, and I'm a believer. That's on my short-list of requirements for new vehicles.

 

Both have been very responsive and helpful to me as well. Glad to have another consumer to bounce my personal experiences off though

 

I was able to tinker some more tonight, tried repositioning the actuator on the bracket by drilling holes for a couple of different positions, and that was a fail. Put a multimeter on the DCIM module red wire and it was getting the full 12v, but at the gate consistently only around 7, so looks like a low voltage issue. Next thing I'm going to try is running a jumper with my own wire from module to gate outside the vehicle, bypassing the loom altogether. If that works, then my guess would be the culprit is possibly a bad wire in the loom.

 

I thought about checking the voltage at the Actuator, but didn't get around to it. 7v is pretty interesting. Did you by chance measure the voltage of the Purple coming out of the DISM Module and going to the Actuator? I know 12v constant is supposed to go into the DISM, but didn't know what should be coming out and going into the actuator. I would think 1/2 voltage to the actuator could cause the issue we are seeing, but I don't know if it's supposed to be 12v or if either the loom or the module is errantly cutting down the 12v. Keep me posted.

 

I didn't have time before I got called out for work. I checked voltage at the T-Harness on the red pigtail and on the module itself (but only the red wire, not purple yet). Been thinking about it all night, so gonna jump on it as soon as I get home and will report back

 

Well I'm striking out. After disconnecting wires, cutting off the original bullet connectors and crimping new ones, I am at least getting 12v now thru the whole wire to the actuator. It STILL refuses to drop the gate. I've removed rubber bumpers, repositioned the bedside catches, etc. I did run my bypass wire just to satisfy my curiosity, but with the same result. Proper voltage, noise in the gate, no action. The gentlest of lifts on the tailgate handle disengages and drops the gate, but I have no idea what else to adjust. Somebody smarter than me will have to advise now.

 

Looking back through your posts, it looks like your "open" function hasn't worked even once since you installed it? I don't have this on my truck, I ended up installing the OEM power lock. But since your voltage it correct and you've already tried various positioning adjustments, the only thing really left to try is replacing the solenoid.

 

Lock/unlock is solid, but the opener has never worked, and I am on the 2nd actuator (I'm assuming that's what you're referring to by solenoid?). I'm rapidly approaching the point where I'm done spending money on it, or need to take some time off from it.

 

After having a short confab with DCIM today, it would appear that there are a small % of trucks that don't work well/at all with the typical actuators that are provided with the kit or readily available on Amazon or local brick and mortars like Autozone. What I will be trying next is a more powerful actuator (sold on Amazon for $15). I'll report back when that's done. (And yes, I realize this is making me a liar after I said I was done spending money on this, but I'm not going to let $15 be the final wall I refused to climb to make this work!) Additionally, per DCIM, the green pwr light on my module is just the version of this arduino, so can be either green or red depending on which version you have and not an indication of a problem.

 

Definitely let me know how things go with the "next is a more powerful actuator". Any chance you have a link so I can read up on it?

 

FINALLY success! The new actuator proved to be the solution, altho first test failed because I had the bedside catches adjusted all the way to the back and the latch wouldn't release. Loosened them and slid slightly forward (toward the gate) and retested and it worked. Works with the fob and works with the button on the dash. See below for the link from Amazon if it'll carry over. If the link doesn't work, just search actuators and look for the blue one like in these attached photos. You'll notice my momentary switch is different, as my factory configuration on this 2020 Limited did not have an available blank for the small switch KTJO supplied, tho there IS a large one which I will likely use for a bar light in the lower grill at some point. I would have had to buy one of Meso's templates to get the arrangement I need, so this factory one may get tossed at some point anyway. For now I'm digging the low profile button, I bought another one that is black with a lighted blue ring that I may try next if this one wears out.

$22 Directed Electronics Install Essentials 524N High Power Door Lock Motor

https://www.amazon.com/Install-Esse...ild=1&keywords=dei+524n&qid=1590596496&sr=8-1

 

Awesome job! Any videos of it opening and closing ?

 

Yes, but it's an .mp4 (default on Galaxy S20), not sure how to upload it? Direct upload doesn't work. Uploaded to the YouTubes, maybe this'll work... https://youtu.be/v4FPh3VMQRA

 

Sweet, just placed and order

How long did it take for yours to get delivered from Amazon?