liftgate opens by itself and generates "Trunklid OPEN" error

[SeattleTopaz]

This happens almost everyday in the morning. After the car's been sitting overnight in the garage when I pull out and the car is at an angle with the driveway I get a "Trunklid OPEN" msg on the dash at which point I have to get out, open and slam the liftgate closed again. Most of the time the gate appears to be securely closed, but I've had it be opened as well where you don't have to use the handle-switch to actually open the latch, it just lifts up.

Again, seems to occur only in the mornings or after the car has been sitting for a while so I suspect condesation is a culprit an I'm thinking the fault is somewhere in the switch for the liftgate that comes as that one-piece lift handle underneath the roundel. Any comments/suggestions from people who've experienced similar problems would be much appreciated... before I buy the whole part and have it painted.

[cmyX6go]

What year is your X? My '01 did it occasionally, but it was always as I was backing out of my garage in the morning. It used to make me crazy. And of course it happened in the rain and snow, NEVER on a nice sunny, warm day.

[SeattleTopaz]

the X is '02

[Eric5273]

Originally Posted by SeattleTopaz

at which point I have to get out, open and slam the liftgate closed again.

I'm not sure about the '02, but my '06 will break if you slam it. It has the electronic soft-close mechanism. I've actually noticed that if I close it too hard, it doesn't latch properly.

[Davud]

Guys, this happened once with me as well...I was really geting crazy...but after I have noticed that I've got my bag there...each time when I move, bag is rolling and most probably toching some emergency sensitive parts...what I've done, took my bag out...and the lid stopped opening...Guys if you'll answer yes means I was rights...answer...when you drive in or our of your garage your car gets under angle/tilt?

[JohnD]

This problem has happened more times that I can count with my 01 X5. The dealer said it is due to condesation inside the grip strip (handle) - they have replaced mine 4 times over the past 3 years - It's sad considering I park it in a heated garage every night... If it is still under warranty have it replaced - once replaced BMW will replace it again within 2 years if it breaks.

[Kewl X5]

I have a 2001 X5 since day one. I remember I had this annoying problem with the rear hatch opening by itself. I did get it fixed and there is a TSB about it in the dealership.

Apparently, some X5 were made with slightly tight wiring harness (i.e. harness slightly too short or not enough slack). The wiring harness goes through the right upper black rubber boot....(open your hatch and look at the upper right hand side). There are plenty of wires inside the boot....what would happen is one or some of the wires would chafe against that area and it would short itself and cause all kinds of funny things like popping the rear hatch on it's own or have your rear wiper/washer go on by itself....

So double check the wires and if there is a break on the insulation, then wrap it with electrical tape.

[Wpcmac]

I had the same prob with my '01 X a year ago after it sat outside in a hard rain. I took the latch assembly apart, dried everything off and put it back together and the problem has not repeated. Yours sounds more serious, but if you're out of warranty, you might try what I did first before a visit to the stealer. Total time was less than an hour and was easy to do.

[jbimmer24]

i'm having a liftgate switch ordered by the dealer now,not that it was opening on it's own , but the switch was'nt working,kept using the remote,they say it was coroded...

[X5Flyboy]

I, too, experienced alot of "trunklid open" with my 2001 - It stopped when I replaced the rear license plate light/latch assembly - the replacement was due to corrosion of the light socket - fixing the open trunklid was an added bonus