weird trunk locking/unlocking issue

[omodos]

Hello all, got an odd issue, locked the car via the keyfob today, got back to car to put something in the back and used the button on the keyfob to unlock the rear only....the lock mechanism made the usual noise it does when disengaging.....but when I tried to lift it open it locked again....but didn't seem to lock fully as I could see the panel was not fully flush with the ther rest of the body bodywork and I could see the lights were on in the trunk

Tried a couple of times same issue, seems that when using the key fob to unlock just the upper rear it wont open...whereas if the car is already unlocked and I manually use the soft touch lift the trunk it disengages and also lifts open fine......

To be honest for the life of me cannot remember if using the key fob to open the trunk only actually fully pops open the rear or whether i had to press the 'button' on rear to release and lift the hatch.


any input much appreciated-I scanned other posts here and didnt see any that were the same as mine.....

[80stech]

The only time I had that happen is when I unlocked/opened the trunk with the key fob and then didn't actually open it, after a time or maybe as I tried to drive away,can't remember exactly, the trunk motor tried to pull the lid closed again but didn't do it all the way and the open indicator stayed on.

[upallnight]

Could be the latch is not releasing from the striker. I would spray some lubricant on the latch

[omodos]

ok thanks for the replies, I sprayed some silicon lubricant in the latch and have left overnite, will check later .....it is odd though why is that only when i try to open with the keyfob do i have this issue? whereas when opening direct via the softouch button I dont have issue

[omodos]

UPDATE-Upallnight was sort of right, spraying some silicon spray in the latch did help a bit , I was able via the keyfob unlock button to unlock the rear but noticed I had to pull a little harder to lift tailgate up, and on closer inspection the latch was not fully open which is why I had to pull up harder ( in turn when closing it from this state it would not fully lockdown and pull the tailgate to original position)

Seems that via the keyfob the latch does not fully open, whereas if I press the button on the actual upper tailgate it does...worse comes to worse gonna have to make do without the keyfob for specifically opening the rear only...strikes me as odd though that via key latch is not happy yet via manual method of touching upper tailgat button in disengages fine...all posts on the site say if the latch is broke its broke-or the spring has broke

[omodos]

Originally Posted by 80stech

The only time I had that happen is when I unlocked/opened the trunk with the key fob and then didn't actually open it, after a time or maybe as I tried to drive away,can't remember exactly, the trunk motor tried to pull the lid closed again but didn't do it all the way and the open indicator stayed on.

I did this too in the past accidentally pressing the button whilst getting into the car but it only took the slightest of movement of the car and the upper tailgate was always 'sucked' down and closed without me having to intervene

[g300d]

Maybe think the mechanism is sticking?

It could be when you press the button underneath the hatch the slight upward pressure helps the mechanism fully disengage.

Pressing the keyfob to open, the mechanism must cycle open without any help and might be sticking enough to cause what you are experiencing.

Maybe you could spray the mechanism as up suggested, while cycling the soft close manually?

[omodos]

Originally Posted by g300d

Maybe think the mechanism is sticking?

It could be when you press the button underneath the hatch the slight upward pressure helps the mechanism fully disengage.

Pressing the keyfob to open, the mechanism must cycle open without any help and might be sticking enough to cause what you are experiencing.

Maybe you could spray the mechanism as up suggested, while cycling the soft close manually?

Very good thinking, never even crossed my mind, will give it a shot tomorrow, am pretty keen on removing or getting to inner workngs of latch but can't find any diy with pics for removing the trim etc it, you know the saying a picture is worth a thousand words.....really don't wanna start pulling and breaking parts like I have done on wifes e46 in the past...

[g300d]

You can spray and cycle without removing the whole mechanism from the hatch. Just lift the hatch and use a tool to push the mechanism inward to engage and press the key fob or hatch button to release, while spraying.

DIY removal is easy! You'll need a philips and flat screwdriver, a 13mm box wrench or socket, a T30 torx, and a plastic pry tool for the trim panels.

First, remove the rear hatch wiper arm. Pry off the circular cover on the base of the wiper arm with the flat screwdriver. You will see a 13mm nut. Remove this, then wiggle the entire wiper arm off.

Next, lift the hatch. Gently pry off the 2 interior lights in the lower hatch trim trim panel and disconnect them.

You will see a philip screw in each light well, and a philip screw in each inner grab handle (4 total) on the lower hatch trim panel. Remove these.

Next, pry up on an edge of the lower hatch panel and pull outwards. The plastic rivets will start popping out and the lower hatch panel will start separating from the hatch.

At the left and right the lower hatch panel mates with the pillar panels. Pry the pillar panel straight up and away from the lower hatch panel to unclip it.

Move the emergency hatch release cable into its hole in the trim panel and the lower hatch panel will come fully free and you can set it aside.

Next remove the rear wiper mechanism. Unplug the harness and remove 4 torx bolts, then pull out and set aside.

Next remove the soft close latch. Unplug harness and and remove three torx screws and pull out. You will also need to pry out the emergency release cable that is clipped on to the latch assy.

That's it.

[omodos]

@
g300d

Great write up thanks, gonna print off and keep it handy, if the lubricating doesnt work , will give removal a try and try to take pics too....out of curiosity what lube is best silicon, graphite spray, or just universal lubricant or wd40? originallly i think the latch had normal grease on it


PS had some luck finding a diy with pics, not sure if its the same for those with the facelift e53 though

BMW X5 Tailgate Latch Replacement (E53 2000 - 2006) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article