Is there a way to get the BED LIGHT to come on when you open the tailgate?

[Grease Lightning]

There are so many differences between the 311 and 312 option group I wish they weren't both badged XLT. I imagine there's a lot different between the Lariat 510/511 option groups as well. I like to say that we have the "XLT+"

I agree. @Ford Motor Company missed the mark by confusing the lineup and offering too many “options” within the class. Should have been one spec level per name badge, battery size option, then maybe the max tow package as an option.

Other than the wheels, I still don’t quite get what the difference actually is between the lariat and platinum.

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[ZSC100]

So does everyone with the XLT with options beyond EG 311a have a power tailgate. Since there is a power tailgate withOUT the light bar can you confirm that you have a RGTM in FORScan. Also, can you pop in to the as-built config please and send a screenshot of what is available, It's probably just a few blocks like other small modules.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Here is my FORScan
RGTM - Rear Gate/Trunk Module
Bus: MSCAN2
Part number: MU5T-14B673-AF
Calibration level: MU5T-14B673-AF
Strategy : MU5T-14C121-AE

Livinitup's Spreadsheet has an entry for it but no tab or info. Just shows it's address is 755 and not update-able.

I checked my AB from Motorcraft and no data for 755 on my truck. I can check with FORSCan later this week.

 

[chl]

I've searched the manual and can't find this but it seems like a reasonable feature to have the bed light come on for a few minutes when you open the tailgate.

I always struggle to find the button in the dark.

Put a $5 motion activated battery powered stick-on light in there then way your hand to make it come on. Works for my Nissan Leaf charge port in my dark garage. Then you can see the light button for the bed better.

 

[ZSC100]

OK, did a bit of research on this and it seems that it MAY be totally possible. It looks like the RGTM actually may NOT have anything to do with the bed lights. It seems to me that it's triggered in the BCM by a switch to the tailgate latch.

If someone who has added the bed lights to an XLT EG 311A or lower can probe the BCM pin34 on C2280E and see if it will turn on the bed lights it might be as simple as a single pin switch like the OP did here. Also, what if EG 311A vehicles already have this wire all the way back to the tailgate?

 

[Blochead21]

@ZSC100 What do you need done when you say probe? Just check for power or jump power to it? I may be able to get to it this week. But the 311pkg doesn’t have the power tailgate.

Location for others is below.
The BCM is on the side wall of the passenger foot well. Did a quick search and the below is the plug location and pin layout.

 

[ZSC100]

@ZSC100 What do you need done when you say probe? Just check for power or jump power to it? I may be able to get to it this week. But the 311pkg doesn’t have the power tailgate.

Location for others is below.
The BCM is on the side wall of the passenger foot well. Did a quick search and the below is the plug location and pin layout.

Correct, the EG 311A does not have the power tailgate and therefor does not have a RGTM or a latch with the switch shown in that diagram I posted that would lead to BCM pin34 on C2280E, but that doesn't mean that Ford didn't install any of that YE-BU wire leading back to the tailgate disconnect plug. How cool would it be if that wire is already back there and all we need to install is the pin switch.

To test I would just use a +12V light probe and connect it's clip to +12v, then touch pin34. This assumes the return pin is +12v. It could be negative in which case you would connect the probe's clip to GND. Either way through a light probe will not hurt the BCM through pin34. I'd test it in a few different situations to see if the bed lights come on, ign on, ign off, etc. It would be awesome if someone had experience with a power tailgate and how it works, then could probe their pin34 with a volt meter and tell us exactly how it works electrically, like is that pin +12V when closed or open.