So I started to notice some electrical problems in the upper tailgate.
1. One of the trunk interior lights stopped working although the bulb was good.
2. One of the licence plate lights would go out when the tailgate was opened.
3. The centre brake light in the spoiler stopped working.

I traced the problem to damaged cables where the wiring loom transits from the 'C' pillar to the tailgate (at the right hand side upper tailgate hinge). The wiring flexes at this point when the tailgate is opened/closed and the wires eventually start to break inside the grommet/sleeve.

The fix is to move the grommet/sleeve down out of the way (a little lube on the cables helps with this) then splice/solder and insulate the damaged wires. All now working again - see pics.

Attached Images

      

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Cheers, Brian

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2001 X5 4.4i Sport
Black Sapphire, Hi Gloss Shadowline, Full Privacy Glass.
Too Cool for Jack Bauer