haywire52 Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Anybody having trouble with the opening of the tailgate with the kicking motion. Mine only works once every 5 or 6 tries. I've ckecked where the sensor is located and kicked rite under it swept my foot under it makes no difference. Will open every time if I use the button under the handle or the fob. Sucks when people want to see it work as it does on TV and it dosn;t. I've worked on this for a week and still can't get it. Looks like a trip back to the dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pillboy Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 The rear bumper sensor also needs to "see" your approach to the vehicle...its a two-part process. Maybe if you just stand at the rear for an extended period of time you are not satisfying the "approach" part of the little dance. Chanting "hokey pokey" at the top of your lungs also helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PajamaGuy Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I'm finding it really easy. I read quite a bit before I got the vehicle. Don't sweep - the two sensors are dead center ad it has to "see" your shin (first) and then your foot. Kick straight in and almost touch the bumper. Maybe I can take a video? ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transitman Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Perhaps this will help. 2013 Escape Liftgate(1).pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PajamaGuy Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Yep - Thanks - that's what I do - and it's getting easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haywire52 Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 Thank You Transitman. I'll try that. The owners manual should explan it that well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transitman Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 The rear bumper sensor also needs to "see" your approach to the vehicle...its a two-part process. Maybe if you just stand at the rear for an extended period of time you are not satisfying the "approach" part of the little dance. Chanting "hokey pokey" at the top of your lungs also helps. The bumper sensor does not have to "see your approach" and you don't need to wait to open the tail gate. In order to activate the hands free lift gate the key fob must be within 3 feet of the sensor and the top and bottom sensor must detect motion at the same time. It can be a kicking motion as long as your leg is centered on both sensors, or a side to side sweeping motion. haywire52, if neither of these techniques work on a consistant basis, I'd have your dealership check it out. Finally, the hokey pokey comment is not helpful to the OP's question or concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie411 Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 (edited) I've had 3 people kick the underside of my Escape trying to see the Tailgate open. On a side note it does seem hit or miss, the other day my friend wanted to see how it works and it literally took 6 swipes to open, couldn't say much. *edit* I just looked at the .pdf, maybe I've been explaining to people how it works wrong, I'll have to try that. Edited October 28, 2012 by howie411 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 When your friends are trying to open it do they have the IA fob in their pocket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg716 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 You have to say "Open Says-a-me" havent you seen the commercial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PajamaGuy Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I "think" I read there's a 1 meter range - the fob has to be on your body or in the purse on your arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape'13 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 You have to say "Open Says-a-me" havent you seen the commercial? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1V_rm645S0 davidg, it's "Open Sesame". You must be too young to be familiar with that phrase! :tease: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg716 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 davidg, it's "Open Sesame". You must be too young to be familiar with that phrase! :tease: thats what i thought, but believe it or not i dont type out that phrase very often so I was not sure what the accepted way to spell it was :P 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EscapeGoat Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 'Open says-a-me' is pretty funny, though -- and a reasonable translation if you aren't used to seeing it written! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkhahn Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I've had much better luck (AKA 100% success) using an in-out kick motion centered on the rear bumper (as demonstrated in the video above) than a side-to-side kicking motion (~70%). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blockisle9 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Following the video instructions still only gives me a 1 in 4 shot that it opens. Also, many times grabinging the door handle will not unlock the doors with out multiple attempts. Maybe it's me, who knows.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Following the video instructions still only gives me a 1 in 4 shot that it opens. Also, many times grabinging the door handle will not unlock the doors with out multiple attempts. Maybe it's me, who knows.......... That means the vehicle is having problems sensing the IA fob. Has nothing to do with the rear hatch or the leg-waving procedure. Can you try another IA fob? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transitman Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) You shouldn't have to so soon, but try installing a new battery in the fob. Edited October 31, 2012 by transitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 You shouldn't have to so soon, but try installing a new battery. You're referring to the IA fob battery, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transitman Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) You're referring to the IA fob battery, right? Yes, of course. I guess should have stated that. Original post updated. Edited October 31, 2012 by transitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PajamaGuy Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) Takes a little getting used-to, and remember there's a second-or-so delay after you kick. Try to imagine your toe reaching the bottom-underneath edge of the rear bumper, right in the middle - just stick (kick) your foot in, then stand a step or two back. You'll get it. Mine works every time. When "grabbing" the door handle, remember you're trying to touch the backside of the door handle - you're NOT pulling to open the door handle. And make sure your thumb doesn't touch the front-of-handle black lock pad. Touch to unlock, let it unlock, then pull to open. (3 steps) Unlocking and opening the door is a TWO THREE step process and while it's short, you have to give the system time to unlock before you pull the handle. Hope this helps. :shades: Edited October 31, 2012 by PajamaGuy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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