Interior lights wont go off, the computer is saying the liftgate is open when its not...i disconnected the liftgate and computer still says its open....the fuses and relays are fine

From the GM 2005 Chevrolet Equinox Service Manual:

Remove Spoiler:
1. Open the liftgate
2. Remove the liftgate upper interior trim panel to expose the center bolt
3. Remove the spoiler to liftgate bolts (3)
4. Disconnect the stop lamp harness
5. Disconnect the rear washer hose
6. Lift the spoiler to disengage the locating retainers and remove the spoiler from the liftgate

Remove the high mounted stop lamp assembly:
1. Remove the spoiler to high mounted stop lamp screws
2. Disconnect the electrical connector
3. Disconnect the washer hose
4. Remove the stop lamp from the spoiler

Install the high mounted stop lamp assembly:
1. Position the stop lamp assembly to the spoiler
2. Connect the washer hose
3. Connect the electrical connector
4. Install the spoiler to high mounted stop lamp screws, tighten to 2 N-m (18 lb in)

Install Spoiler:
1. Position spoiler loosely over the liftgate
2. Connect the rear washer hose
3. Connect the stop lamp harness
4.Push down the spoiler to the liftgate to secure the locking tab retainers
5. Install the spoiler to liftgate bolts; tighten to 2 N-m (18 lb in)
6. Install the liftgate upper interior trim panel
7. Close liftgate

Detrim the lift gate and replace the latch mounted switch.

Hi, viewers. The liftgate latch of 2008 Acadia is electrically controlled by switches, fuses, modules, and sensors. If for some reason the liftgate doesnt seem to open under the normal operating conditions, you can still open it mechanically if needed.

* First, go inside the vehicle and lower the 2nd and 3rd row seats, and then locate the round access plug (visible and similar to a rubber grommet) from the liftgate lower interior trim panel.

*Second, use a small flatbladed tool to remove that access plug and expose the hole.

*Third, look through the hole and push on a silver lever located on the right to unlock the liftgate.

*Fourth, when unlocked, push the liftgate outward or, you may need an assistant to pull open the liftgate from the outside handle while you push the unlock lever.

Once opened, you can now reflect back as to why your liftgate wont function. I hope you get lucky in your quest. Have a nice day! : )

I would say the short is in the back liftgate wire. The switch that makes the liftgate warning light work makes connection when the gate is open.

This connection uses a contact switch like in the door jams or a mercury switch. You need to remove the contact switch and see if the wires are still on the terminals. The switch itself may have come apart and simply needs replacement.

This should take care of your fuse problems. The short can drain the battery if it was not blowing fuses.

the 3rd brake light is mounted to the spoiler. you need to remove the spoiler from the liftgate to acces the mounting bolts and the wire clip. there are five points of attachment of the spoiler,four hex nuts (metric) and one snap clip. two are accessable when the liftgate is open, they are in the corners of the liftgate. two more are under the upper rear window interior trim. the interior trim is held on by snap clips. if you pry outward on the trim starting on the right side of the window and work your way toward the middle you will be able to gain access to the two other nuts. once you have removed all four nuts, then close the liftgate and remove the spoiler by lifting up to disengage the last attachment point (snap clip). you will then need to change the light by removing the two nuts and disconnecting the wire clip. re-instal is the opposite of above. make sure that the wire for the third brake light does not get pinched when installed. (mine was improperly installed from the factory and the wire was pinched and this may have been why there was an early failure of the light)

If your Nav is the same as my 03 windstar and I'm not sure it is, mine are located one on each side about 3/4 ways down inside the liftgate. I took the interior panel off and was able to locate them. I then cut the wires to the switches and tied the wires together to each switch. Of course this makes the car think the gate is closed all of the time. Even when its open. That was fine because i don't know about your Nav but my interior lights would not work nor the doors would not lock when you put ity in gear. My wife says is this safe to do? Like daa if you don't know that your liftgate is open and you need a idiot light to tell you that. come on. Good luck.

I recently had a similar problem with the "liftgate ajar" light lighting randomly on my 2001 PT Cruiser. It was even occurring AFTER I had disconnected the "ajar sensor" on the liftgate. Finally found that 5 wires were broken, one of them the liftgate ajar sensor wire, in the wire bundle that leaves the top of the liftgate and goes into the chassis. I suspect that those broken wires would randomly trigger. Inline spliced the wires and resealed the bundle. Everything looks good for now, although time will tell.

Liftgate Latch Remote Control Removal and Installation

1. Remove the liftgate trim panel. For additional information, refer to Section 501-05.

1. Remove the watershield.

1. Disconnect the actuator electrical connectors.

1. Disconnect the liftgate window glass latch release cable.
   1. Release the cable conduit.
   1. Disconnect the cable.

1. Disconnect the liftgate latch release cable.
   1. Remove the cable conduit.
   1. Disconnect the cable.

1. Release the exterior liftgate release handle actuating rod.
   1. Open the clip.
   1. Release the rod.

1. Remove the bolts and the liftgate latch remote control.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   • Transfer parts as necessary.

The easy part is you just need the latch for the liftgate. The hard part is getting to it and opening the liftgate to replace the latch. You should be able to pull the liftgate trim off most of the way with the gate closed and try to manually actuate the latch to open the gate. You may have to go so far as breaking the latch from the inside to open the gate and then replace your latch.

If the latch won't operate when you use the handle, try inserting the key, turning it, and pulling up on the liftgate while the key is in the turned position (it won't stay there, so you need to hold it turned while you raise the liftgate.