Outback 2003 tailgate sensor over-ride

carago · Post by **carago** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:35 pm

Hi All,

First time poster so please bear with me.

I have an 03 outback which was recently rear-ended which has caused the sensor to show that the tailgate is open when it is in fact locked. There are some insurance issues which means that the car can't be fixed for a short period of time and i still need to drive it.

This problem is causing the ignition ring to stay lit and the led sensor on the dash also so it is running down the battery pretty quickly.

Can anyone instruct me as to how to over-ride the sensor so i can drive the car without having to charge it each morning. I was hoping to find a nice easy 'fridge door' type sensor that i could stick some tape over but no dice.

Thanks in advance

GOD · Post by **GOD** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:02 pm

There's a little black switch on each side of the tailgate opening, just next to the tail lights. If you can't tape them back, unplug em.

Dane.

carago · Post by **carago** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:33 pm

Thanks Dane

I noticed these and had another look after reading your post. By pressing them in all the way the lights still stay on - they seem more like mechanical latches rather than switches - any other tips?

I pulled out the cover panels behind the rear lights and felt around; there didnt seem to be any wires going to these latches unless they run behind the rear sheetmetal.

Thanks in advance

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:02 pm

this is the wiring for the rear of the 2007 forrester it should be similar to your car (yes I know you have the outback)

the wire in question comes off the locking latch

in this case D46

heres the legend for the picture

hope this helps

TOONGA

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 5:41 pm

Here is a 2002 Liberty rear end

D46 is the 'rear gate latch switch'

So it is like a L series and integrated into the locking mechanism