Liftgate unlock problem

Tn52 · #1 11-28-2015, 04:48 PM

Hi everyone:
When I unlock the liftgate from either my key fob or the center dash switch, I can hear the liftgate got unlocked. As soon as I try to raise the gate, the gate locked itself back again. This problem is driving us nut. I found out later that, in order to open the liftgate, I had to stand behind the car then push the key AND lift the gate up simultaneously. Removing and reseating the purple soft close relay didn't fix it. What next?
Thanks for any help!
2005 X5 3.0i
🙁

Dickster · #2 11-28-2015, 04:51 PM

My 2005 does the same - you have to open it quickly!

The car is new to us - is the tailgate supposed to open on its own?

Tn52 · #3 11-28-2015, 04:56 PM

No, this is abnormal. It just happened to us a couple of weeks ago. Something electrical with the liftgate was going haywire.

jdstrickland · #4 12-03-2015, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dickster

My 2005 does the same - you have to open it quickly!

The car is new to us - is the tailgate supposed to open on its own?

No, the latch releases and you lift the gate to open. When you close the gate, just close it enough that the latch can grab, it will finish closing itself.

I think I am reading what might happen if the switch that detects that the door is closed is working when it shouldn't be. The car thinks the lid is closed, and the latch motor is performing the self closing step where it latches on its own, the problem is that you are wanting to open the lid so the latch just finished opening and now it is closing again at the wrong time.

bcredliner · #5 11-28-2015, 04:59 PM

It may be time to replace the liftgate shocks. Another option is to add springs to the shocks that are available on ebay. Many of us have done that so the liftgate goes up rather than just pop open.

Dickster · #6 11-28-2015, 05:13 PM

So, normal operation is that you press the button and the tailgate should open slightly?

bcredliner · #7 11-28-2015, 06:03 PM

yes, it pops up a bit without the springs. Mine has done what yours is doing but new shocks fixed it. At the time it was happening, and it was infrequently, the shocks would still hold the hatch up. The springs are not needed if the shocks are good but they add lift and are an added convenience when your hands are full.

Dickster · #8 11-28-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcredliner

yes, it pops up a bit without the springs. Mine has done what yours is doing but new shocks fixed it. At the time it was happening, and it was infrequently, the shocks would still hold the hatch up. The springs are not needed if the shocks are good but they add lift and are an added convenience when your hands are full.

great, I'll try some new struts first then.

cheers