Door and tailgate problems brand new x5

[stockguru]

I picked up my brand new 2008 x5 this week. Unfortunately, when the dealer walked me through the car I never tested the keyfob. I can not lock the doors using my keyfob and after pressing the tailgate button (automatic tailgate), I couldn't close it.
Given that it is a holiday weekend, the best response i could get was to use the manual key lock in the meantime.
Has anyone heard of these problems and know of any solutions?

[rh71]

- lock doors = center BMW logo on keyfob... if the keyfob is unlocking the car ok, there's no programmatic reason it won't lock as well.

- autotailgate not closing = slam the bottom portion closed again and try the button again... happens occasionally, just slam everytime.

[Wagner]

Solution Take it to the dealer, it is brand new and everything is free. State your case, and it will get documented. That way if this stays an issue down the road, you have a paper trail.

[stockguru]

RH71: Thanks... I guess it was the bottom part of the door. After slamming it shut, not only was the tailgate working again, the doors lock as well.

[evolver]

OMG! Tailgate problem happened to me when my passenger tried to close it manually without knowing about the auto feature. Funny enough, I fixed it by following the slamming approach. That is ridiculous! Reminds me of the days when my granny would "fix" a TV by giving a good slap on the side. That was 30 years ago in USSR. How come in 2008 a $60K car responds to the same kind of "repair"?

[rh71]

^ I'm pretty sure it's because it didn't "latch" closed unless you close it hard, rather than a slam to knock some sense into a sensor. I close it harder these days and it works 100% of the time.

[evolver]

I think I figured out what the problem is. Tailgate would not close with a push of a button if the lower portion of the tailgate did not close and latch fully. You push the button and all you hear is relays clicking. Just open and close the lower portion of the tailgate to make sensors sit in place.

If you slam the door to force closing manually, you may achieve the same effect.

[Bokja]

so is the tailgate suppose to open and close with the key fob automatically...because on mine it just un-latches when i press the button

[brian5]

Originally Posted by Bokja

so is the tailgate suppose to open and close with the key fob automatically...because on mine it just un-latches when i press the button

In the U.S., it only opens with the key fob or by pressing the button on the dash. You cannot close it with the key fob or by pressing the dash button.

And the lower tailgate does not have to be slammed shut. I just close it firmly. Have had no difficulties since I figured this out on day 1.

[evolver]

It is supposed to open from a key fob or from a push of a button on center console. It is supposed to close with a push of a button on the door itself.