Trying to finish up my car camping setup and ran into a problem. I left the hatch open for a while and ended up with a dead battery. Had to use my jump pack to get it going again. I’d like to be able to leave it open for things like cooking or chilling at the back without worrying. It’s one of those auto lift hatches. I’ve seen people say it can’t be done or needs a bunch of steps every time. Anyone got a simple trick that works?
Today I learned that leaving the hatch open drains the battery. What the hell?
Axel said:
Today I learned that leaving the hatch open drains the battery. What the hell?
Same here. Didn’t know that either.
Axel said:
Today I learned that leaving the hatch open drains the battery. What the hell?
Happened to me too. Got lucky someone nearby gave me a jump.
Axel said:
Today I learned that leaving the hatch open drains the battery. What the hell?
No clue this was even a thing.
Axel said:
Today I learned that leaving the hatch open drains the battery. What the hell?
I didn’t mean that in a rude way…
Axel said:
Today I learned that leaving the hatch open drains the battery. What the hell?
I didn’t mean that in a rude way…
No need to act like a jerk man.
@beky
Just wasn’t sure if the guy above was joking or serious about not knowing.
Vern said:
@beky
Just wasn’t sure if the guy above was joking or serious about not knowing.
Nah I really didn’t know. Not making fun of anyone.
This is how you stop the car from acting up when the hatch is open. Just grab a flathead screwdriver and push the latch inside the hatch to make the car think it’s closed. Then all the lights shut off. To reset it, hit the button on your fob or inside the car. Works every time.
@JeffPatterson
Used to do this with my old Toyota wagon. Just click the latch shut and you’re good. Hours at the track like that and never killed the battery.
Jin said:
@JeffPatterson
Used to do this with my old Toyota wagon. Just click the latch shut and you’re good. Hours at the track like that and never killed the battery.
What about people with the manual tailgate?
@DukeJames4
My $36k XLE doesn’t have the auto lift either lol
Jonah said:
@DukeJames4
My $36k XLE doesn’t have the auto lift either lol
We living that base trim life 
@DukeJames4
Honestly wish I had the manual version. My auto gate died and now fixing it might cost me a couple grand. Motors and sensors aren’t cheap.
Sidney said:
@DukeJames4
Honestly wish I had the manual version. My auto gate died and now fixing it might cost me a couple grand. Motors and sensors aren’t cheap.
Same here. I just swapped in manual struts. $200 fix and haven’t looked back. No way I’m spending $2k every few years.
@Michael
Yeah… probably gonna do that too.
@Michael
We should call the auto lift the ‘bougie setup’. Manual is way simpler and reliable lol
Sidney said:
@DukeJames4
Honestly wish I had the manual version. My auto gate died and now fixing it might cost me a couple grand. Motors and sensors aren’t cheap.
I got this pair off Amazon and saved a fortune. Works better than OEM. Amazon.com: Flynsu Electric Tailgate Power Liftgate Support Shock Struts Replacement for 2019-2021 Toyota RAV4 2.5L 68910-42060 68920-42020 : Automotive
@DukeJames4
Pretty sure the sensor is the same either way.