[Llehmann]

Just trying to find a replacement for my 2016 Nissan Rogue Power Tailgate Struts. The tailgate opens all the way but then falls down about a foot.

Looking at the OEM replacement part: 90561-4CL2A.

Does anybody know what the difference is between the part numbers for 90651-???? eg) 90561-4CL3A, 90561-5AA1A, 90561-4BA4A,etc

Will any of the 90561 parts fit?

 

[Llehmann]

I have an OBD2 scanner that plugs into the car but I haven't found the right program yet to read the codes for the tailgate. Programs like Torque, OBD Mary, MotoData OBD don't seem to have any information about the spindle motors.

Yes, the gate does lift all the way to the top... then it fails to hold it there. So, trying to figure out why? I have held the OPEN/CLOSE button on the tailgate for 5 seconds that will program the lift height into the car. I have to let the gate lower about a foot to make it set the height that will open and hold. But it's to low as it hits my head at that height. Anything higher and it fails to keep the tailgate at that height?!?!?

Not sure what sensor or controller is failing to keep the spindle (power struts OEM - 90561-4CL2A) at the full height. It does work and open to the full height... just fails to stay there!

See video here: 2016 Nissan X-Trail Power Tailgate Strut Video

 

[Llehmann]

Trying to figure out how to use my ODB reader to see the error codes for the struts? Can't seem to find the PID information for that? I can add a custom PID to my reader... but need all the PID information to put in manually?

 

[Llehmann]

Is it possible that its the rear control module that is failing?
I have tried to "set" the height of the door and it won't hold it high enough to walk under.

Since you say the spindles/struts might be ok since they work and lift the gate. What is responsible for keeping the tailgate up and not allowing the spindles to unwind?

 

[Llehmann]

Has anyone tried this and made it work? I just went thru the steps and didn't work for me?


How to read the engine codes without a Nissan CONSULT or scan tool. (Set ECM in Diagnostic Test Mode II)

• 1 Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.
• 2 Repeat the following procedure quickly five times within 5 seconds.
  • a Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
  • b Fully release the accelerator pedal.
• 3 Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the MIL starts blinking.
• 4 Fully release the accelerator pedal.
• 5 ECM has entered to Diagnostic Test Mode II (Self-diagnostic results).

 

[Llehmann]

I google and google this shit out of this topic and look for parts and try and understand what they do!

Looking for "2016 rogue ABD controller" nothing.WTF

And trying to find out what sensors are where, etc, get an understanding of what's happening. I really want to figure out what part is failing and why/how it works. Is it possible to take the spindle struts apart to fix them? Is it possible I just have a blown fuse that needs to be replaced.

NOTE: I actually have a 2016 X-Trail... but there's little to no information on that model at all because its sold in Mexico and UK. So I use the Rogue which is basically the same car to find information on it.

NOTE: There's actually a recall on this very problem but I'll be dammed if I can find someone to verify if I qualify. Here in Mexico Nissan will roll the dice because the people are used to be taken advantage of.
2014-2016 Nissan Rogue Recalled for Faulty Tailgate Struts » AutoGuide.com News

 

[Llehmann]

Thanks for all the advice and tips.

I will go get it scanned. But you have to remember that I am here in Mexico. And I don't think they know what a "master tech" or "electrical specialist" is!

I'm now off warranty. But before that I would always have to check and double check the work after every oil change. Sometimes they would do it... sometimes not. And when they finally admit that they didn't...I get this as an their answer. We have a large window into our service bay where you can manage the work. Seriously. For a while I would let the air out in one tire to see if they actually checked it.

So... that's why I'm here and doing all the work and research before I go there. Cause I'd be surprised if the guy who finds the scanner knows where it goes and how to read it. No kidding. I will be looking over their shoulder.

Thanks again

 

[Llehmann]

If I want to change the spindle struts over to a regular gas strut... Which ones will fit?

Will I still need to attach them to a commerical OBD scanner to get the back door release hatch lock to work opening the liftgate? Ir can I just install the gas struts and use the liftgate manual to open and close?

 

[Llehmann]

If one was to go out and purchase a pro OBD scanner... how do I know which one will work and pickup all the codes? Its funny my consumer level OBDII scanner only picks up the "main ones". Why is that... or is it that a the pro reader attaches to the other port and that receives all the codes from the car?

Advice or tips on what OBD scanner to buy? What am I looking for?

 

[Llehmann]

Called Nissan and made an appointment for 8:30am this morning. They checked me in on time and I showed the service guy the problem with the rear tailgate falling down. He tried to set the height by holding the button down while the liftgate was at the top and tried it again. It fell if course. So he says I need new power spindle struts because the function isn't working to set the height. Arrrrg. I pull the gate to the half way point and hold the button to get my 2 beeps and set the height. Close and open the liftgate and it stops perfectly in the spot I set.

Told him I would like a diagnostic report and please show me the codes that the reader pulls out. Perfect. Says it will be ready for 4pm.

I return at 4:30pm and my X-Trail is parked right in front of service. Ask the service guy what they found only to hear they haven't looked at it yet. Again... Arrrrrg.

Ask him what the point was of making an 8:30am appointment? No answer. Smiles and says if I want to leave it overnight he will call me in the morning when they are able to have a look at it.

Classic Mexico!

Ps: Nissan Mexico has always had the worst service I've ever seen. I was kinda happy when my warranty was over so I wouldn't have to use them anymore, but apparently I still do.
Let's see what happens tomorrow.

 

[Llehmann]

Returned the day after my initial appointment at 4pm, that would be 2 full work days at Nissan Mexico. Not surprised to find out that they didn't do the work yet. But was surprised as to the reason! They do continue to amaze me. Apparently the service rep that checked me in yesterday was sick today. So none if his work was done. Seriously. At that point, my wife, as me to leave as I started going office to office at the Nissan dealership asking for a service manager. Well, I say I was asking.

Eventually, I was told that the mechanics were now done lunch and one was coming out to run the diagnostic on the car. Plugged in his reader and said there were no error codes in the system. Took about 5 minutes to run the scan. All tho I was wondering if the tailgate would need to be working at the time of the test to show an error? Asked to see the actual data on the rear struts, sensors or control unit but the tech only knew how to run the scan and either see, or not see, an error in the system.

He said there is no error because the spindle struts are mechanical and they won't report an error when they fail.

Again, my wife said I should leave as my patience was running low. I told her that I would leave is she promised not to pay them for the 5 minute scan that took 3 visits to the dealership to get.

Still hot under the collar with built up frustration. Getting no answers or decent service... and agreeing to leave before I said something or did something I shouldn't.... I jumped on my XR125 moto and left a beautiful black donut with my tires on the tile driveway in front of service.

Maybe not the best thing to do or way to react... but it did make me feel better.

PS: Don't worry to much about cleaning up the black donut mark ... there are plenty of workers around constantly cleaning the dealership here. Pretty sure if they do a good enough job, they are promoted to the service desk rep and then to mechanic.

 

[Llehmann]

It was all in Spanish... So I didn't really understand the program on the laptop.

Other than he hit search or scan and it did a 1 to 💯 I imagine on the system. The car was turned on but not running and the rear tailgate was closed.

Just seemed odd to me. And trying to explain to my wife who was translating to him I wanted to see the settings for that specific part of the car was not going to happen.

It's frustrating. That's why I spend so much time online trying to figure things out for myself because nobody is really qualified here. Maybe the guy with the tool box that contains a plunger isn't to bad at fixing the toilet. But as if a month ago... Even he proved me wrong when he cleared my clog and proceeded to reuse the wax ring in the floor. Yes, now I have a leak.

 

[Llehmann]

Hey @VStar650CL ... what do you mean "make it throw a DTC that sticks the door"?

1. Would that mean disconnect the rear spindle struts? and reconnect? Would that cause them to stop working? Im not sure exactly what I would do to make them scan the system properly and show me the components I am looking for in the system?

Or is there a list of all the Nissan sensors and components listed somewhere I can see to point out exactly what I want them to bring up on the scanner?

I did notice that their scanner plugged into the same port mine did. That seems odd to me that I can't download a program to read all the codes instead of only a partial set for consumer vs professional level readers? Is this OBD scanner related or software related?

2. The one thing he said, which actually made sense to me, was he said the sensor was good because I was able to program the height of the door and make it stop at the set height. I think that makes sense? My question would be what actually holds the door at any given height? Is it the actual spindle strut or a piece inside of it that is failing to lock?

3. One other question about the air conditioning in the X-Trail. It's started to fail from time to time an warm up. Not all the time, but intermittently which is why I'm shy to pay a lot for them to look at it. My ODB scanner will only show me that the A/C is either on or off showing a 0 or 1 reading which works fine. I asked them to check it out with the scanner since I would think there should be some pressure, fans speeds, levels of gas, etc to see with the professional scanner?!?! They told me it would be an extra $100 to check the A/C because they need to empty the gas in the system to check it? This didn't make sense to me again so I told them not to do it. Could be right but wanted to look into it first before I call BS on the whole thing. Comments?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Llehmann]

Hey @VStar650CL,

Any chance you're coming down to Cancun anytime soon?!?! haha I could really use a mechanic that knows what's he's doing! Every time I get service for something the fix 1 and break 2. Seriously... last time was my ABS sensor that mysteriously needed replacement after changing break pads.

So... back to ailments of my 2016 X-Trail... which I love BTW... its just now starting to cause problems as vehicles are designed to do with age.

Lets start with the AC as I think I figured something out today. Other than than the car gets hot as balls in the Mexican sun when it's not working properly. I've been playing around the the modes/temp/recycled air settings as I noticed that the passenger vents are not blowing the same temp as the driver side vents. Driver is much cooler. Turned the passenger side "dual temp zone" up and down. Its gets nice and warm but doesn't seem to get the same cold air as the driver when set the same? The AC is ice cold on the drivers side at an idle as well. Doesn't change when driving. Passenger side just never gets there. And sometimes its blowing regular air I think. Thoughts?


As for the rear liftgate struts. I took a couple more videos of them in action.

Here you can see the height set to the top... and then immediately falls to the half way position once it reaches the set height. The only height that seems to work is when set at about half way.
Nissan X Trail Power Spindle Liftgate Struts Failing

Here i took a video and held the phone up against the right rear strut and noticed that it makes a knocking sound when moved manually up and down.
Nissan X Trail Power Spindle Liftgate Struts Failing 2


I'll try and explain this one to them... well see!
". He could have done an ABD reset there in the driveway while the C3+ was connected, and I have no clue why he didn't. It's a 15-second operation."


You said:
"Any system component that you disconnect and then operate the door will cause the ABD to throw a code and stop operating. Yes, that can be a spindle as well as the latch. "
What's the easiest component I can disconnect and then use the rear door to throw a code? The spindle cables are fished thru into the body of the car. Is there something else, quick and simple, I can unplug to make this happen?


ps: Seriously ... if you find your way down here to the beaches of the Riviera Maya... send me a message. I owe you a few cold ones!

 

[Llehmann]

Oh yeah... and I found some Chinese knock offs... kinda makes me tingle inside with fear. But so does the $700usd price tag from Nissan for the struts! I don't think I can do it... but found this info out there on the world wide web!

Option 1 - $328usd
Remote Control Intelligent Car Trunk Power Tailgate Lift Foot Sensor Kick Sensing For Nissan X-trail 2015+ - Buy Remote Control Intelligent Car Trunk Power Tailgate Lift,Intelligent Car Trunk For Nissan,Kick Sensing Power Tailgate Lift For Nissan X-trail Product on Alibaba.com

Option 2 - $399usd
2016 Nissan X trail Power Tailgate | Intelligentized Auto Parts | Hansshow