PIT5278E

Bulletin No.: PIT5278E
Published date: 09/30/2019
Preliminary Information
PIT5278E Power Lift-gate Erratic Operation will not Power Close
DTC B153A and/or Motor Running but Does Not Move
Models
Brand:
Model:
Model Years:
VIN:
from
to
Engine:
Transmissions:
Cadillac
Escalade Models
2015 - 2020
All
All
All
All
Chevrolet
Tahoe
2015 - 2020
All
All
All
All
Chevrolet
Suburban
2015 - 2020
All
All
All
All
GMC
Yukon Models
2015 - 2020
All
All
All
All
Supersession Statement
This PI was superseded to add the 2020 model year. Please discard PIT5278D.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition / Concern
Some owners may comment of any of the following issues:
- Erratic operation of the power lift gate
- Power lift gate hesitates during opening or closing, or does not go to the fully open or
closed position
- When power closing the lift gate you can hear the motor running in the left actuator but
the lift gate is not closing
- DTC B153A set in the Power Lift gate Module (usually combined with other erratic behavior
of the power lift gate)
Recommendations / Instructions
Note: If the power liftgate does not open fully, and then reverses direction, the information
in this document does not apply. It could be caused by the conditions listed in the latest
version of PIT5286. DO NOT follow this procedure, putting a screw through the actuator,
unless it has the conditions listed in this document.
These concerns may occur if the left liftgate actuator is internally coming apart. It will need
to be replaced, but care must be taken when removing the left liftgate actuator from the
vehicle. There is an assist spring inside the left actuator. If the internal portion of the
actuator has completely separated, and if it is removed from the vehicle without following
the procedure listed below, the end of the actuator can become a projectile.
NOTE: If you suspect the left actuator has this condition, DO NOT remove the right strut until
the left actuator is replaced per the procedure below.
1. Obtain one #8 self-tapping screw 1 1/2 inches long.
2. Fully open the liftgate.
3. Install the self-tapping screw any place in the 30 mm space (from the bottom of the
smooth tube) between location 1 and 2. As reflected below, a location of 20 mm
(approximately 3/4") is ideal to secure the tubes.
Note: The screw will hold the actuator together for removal.
4. Remove the left liftgate actuator following the Liftgate Power Assist Actuator
Replacement procedure in SI.
IMPORTANT: After the left liftgate actuator is removed, DO NOT remove the screws. The part
will be requested back to the Warranty Parts Center once the associated warranty claim has
paid.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper coverage (Canada Base Warranty
coverage), use the following labor operation. Reference the Applicable Warranties section of
Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) for coverage information.
Labor Operation
2064850
Description
Liftgate Power Assist Actuator
Replacement
Labor Time
Use Published Labor
Operation Time
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is
resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.
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