Description And Operation: Description
Vehicles equipped with an optional power liftgate system, are equipped with a single Power Drive Unit (PDU) mounted in place of the standard equipment gas-charged lift strut on the right side of the liftgate. The PDU is equipped with a socket-type pivot end (3) with spring clip retainer at both the top and bottom and is mounted using the same ball studs at the top of the right liftgate opening side trough and near the belt line of the right liftgate shut face as are used for securing a conventional gas-charged lift strut.
The PDU appears similar in construction to a conventional gas-charged lift strut, but has both upper and lower cylinders or tubes that are noticeably larger in diameter than the cylinder and rod found on most conventional gas-charged lift struts. This larger diameter accommodates a small, but powerful reversible electric motor, a small planetary gear set transmission, a full-open switch, a screw-type drive unit and two Hall effect sensors. There are also two coil-type springs within the PDU; one long spring with large diameter coils, and one short spring with smaller diameter coils.
The PDU has a pigtail wire harness and connector (2) that exits the lower portion of the body. The pigtail harness is equipped with a large rubber grommet where the harness passes through the sheet metal of the right liftgate opening side trough. The PDU wiring is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated takeout and connector of the body wire harness near the middle of the inner D-pillar.
The PDU cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if damaged or inoperative, it must be replaced with a new unit.