Hi Folks,

Looking for a little technical information if possible.

My wife has a 2011 Mazda 3 with a hatch/lift-gate and an electric pushbutton to open. We have had the common lift-gate issues with the hatch cycling for no reason but as with most others, this usually goes away and is not often an issue.

Currently, the pushbutton on the hatch has quit. You can push as often as you like but nothing happens. I have taken the hatch apart and tested the button and it is functioning properly. I have also taken the latch mechanism apart and tested if using 12 VDC and it too is in working order. For some reason, I'm not getting 12 VDC at the pushbutton.

I have consulted the owners manual to no avail. I was thinking it may be a fuse but the manual is just horrid. It states there are three fuse panels. One on the drivers side (found), one on the passenger side (not found) and one in the engine compartment (found). The panel on the passenger side may be a reference to foreign cars? In any event, I have read through the fuse designations and not a single reference to the lift-gate pushbutton can be found.

If anyone has an idea where the power comes from for the lift-gate pushbutton, I would be in your debt. A schematic would be wonderful!

I've read that in some Mazda cars, the lift-gate pushbutton can not be operated unless the emergency brake is engaged. If this is the case with the Mazda 3, perhaps the switch is bad at the E-brake. In any event, I don't want to go chasing all over the car without a schematic.

Apologies if this has been discussed and I have missed it. I did do a search to no avail.

Look forward to hearing from anyone that can shed some light on our issue.

Cheers from NB!