Liftgate Softclose Actuator (SCA) Failure

[Kayufa]

Hi Guys, I am moving this to a new thread hoping for some insight into this issue. (It was originally posted under the "Ebay springs to raise hatch" thread, as I believe they are the cause to my issue).

Issue:
A few months after I installed the springs to open the hutch/ lift gate I started finding the lift gate open occasionally in the garage. Later I started hearing the actuator a few times going crazy back/forth when I opened the tailgate. After that the Softclose (grabbing/pulling the hutch in) has stopped working altogether. Last week the lift-gate opened twice while the car was running! I was stopped at a light and had to run out and close the hutch.
Another symptom is the exterior button (to open lift-gate) has stopped working pretty much all together. Happened right around same time I believe.

Diagnosis so far:
As per QSilver7 recommendation (thx, mate!) I checked fuses (OK) and pulled/ replaced the relay. Interesting thing - when I was at BMW yesterday, putting the new relay in - I shut the lid and the SCA actually worked! Once.
It pulled the door in only the first time I closed it after I plugged the relay in. Second time and on - no joy. The exterior button worked too! It actually worked a few times after the new relay was in, but this morning it is not responsive again.

For the record I also tried the method on dbx5's thread but turning the star screw did nothing for me.

TL;DR - The actuator for back hutch works with remote and in-dash button but not with exterior button. It does not pull the hutch in (SCA). Hutch opens at night when car is unlocked. Recently also when car is running.

Please advise, Thank you.

[StephenVA]

Suggestion:
Pull the wiring harness loose at the top of the hatch and at the body. Peel back the rubber boot and check to see if your harness wiring is beginning to loose all of it protective covering. The boot like cover will roll up on the ends. Multiple BMW vehicles share this issue, although not many E53 owners have reported any failures, on this forum. If this exposes a new failure point you get to be our guinea pig test/repairer.

E39 owners have more than their share of this issue on vehicles with heavy trunk lid usage.

[Motorhead]

Alright, this is similar, but I haven't seen this exact group of issues anywhere online.

Rear hatch won't open via remote, button on dash or grip button above number plate.

Hatch opens with inside manual release.
Number plate lights work.
Interior hatch lights DO NOT.
I can hear the relay firing when I press the button on the dash, and the button on the remote.
Lower tailgate works fine.

All fuses checked.
SCA replaced. No change.
Wires at top of hatch checked, zero signs of wear.

I'm pulling my hair out here. Any help much appreciated.

[g300d]

Motorhead, I had the same symptoms and it was the soft close latch assembly.

Since you have replaced the latch assembly maybe you can try removing then replacing the fuses/relay of the system to maybe "reset" the system?

OP, yours I have no idea, sorry...it sounds a bit like mine which I resolved by partially disassembling the latch and jerry rigging a broken internal tab, but mine stopped working totally before I dug into it, not working intermittently like yours.

[Motorhead]

Originally Posted by g300d

Motorhead, I had the same symptoms and it was the soft close latch assembly.

Since you have replaced the latch assembly maybe you can try removing then replacing the fuses/relay of the system to maybe "reset" the system?

OP, yours I have no idea, sorry...it sounds a bit like mine which I resolved by partially disassembling the latch and jerry rigging a broken internal tab, but mine stopped working totally before I dug into it, not working intermittently like yours.

g300d, I've pulled the fuses with no luck, any idea which relay under the bonnet is the one I need to yank? I've got a feeling that I just changed the SCA when the actual issue is with the relay...

[SlickGT1]

I had this issue, and it turned out to be a stuck relay in the trunk. I heard it click, and all that, but it did nothing. After pulling it for a few min, it went back to normal as usual.

[Motorhead]

Okay, brilliant. I'm not the only one with this issue. I am, it seems, the only one to have it on a 2002, where the k70 relay is NOT in the boot. Has anyone got a pic / diagram of the under bonnet relay box, from a 2002, showing which relay is the k70?

[SlickGT1]

You know, this issue comes up a lot, and it seems whatever info i find on the location of the relay is not what is in my car either. I literally just stood there with the relay compartment opened while pressing that unlock button on the trunk. I could hear the relay, and then actually feel the one that was causing the issues. Pulled it, put it back, problem gone.

[Motorhead]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

You know, this issue comes up a lot, and it seems whatever info i find on the location of the relay is not what is in my car either. I literally just stood there with the relay compartment opened while pressing that unlock button on the trunk. I could hear the relay, and then actually feel the one that was causing the issues. Pulled it, put it back, problem gone.

SlickGT1, i think you're right, I'm not looking forward to finding the right one under the spaghetti of wiring in the under bonnet box, but it'll beat the ever loving hell out of taking it to a stealership. Also doesn't help that mine is Australian delivery, so everything is in a totally different spot anyway.

[SlickGT1]

take your remote for the car, and keep clicking the trunk unlock button while listening to the relays in every known location. Find the one that clicks and pull it.