Help my rear hatch keeps opening on its own

racecarjohnny · #1 12-03-2008, 10:46 AM

I have lurked on this site for years. Lot's of great info and I am sure someone can help me.
For some reason my rear hatch opens on its own. Sitting in the garage unlocked at night I will come out and the light will be on and the rear hatch popped open? It happened the other day in a parking lot too. This has been going on for about 2 months. Is something broken, worn out or is the remote sensor sensitive to random wireless signals? Let me know what you think. Thanks for your time.

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Jim M · #2 12-03-2008, 11:43 AM

racecarjohnny, what model year is your car and how long have you owned it?

The reason I ask is that, when I first got my 2008 X5, I had problems with the liftgate opening, and it turned out to be how I was carrying the remote. I was putting the remote in my pocket, and two of the buttons were getting pushed accidentally (the unlock and the liftgate buttons).

I bought a pair of the BMW leather key fobs that wrap around the remote, and that didn't stop the problem, so I finally started putting the remote in a cell phone case that I now carry in my pocket.

That stopped the problem with the lift gate mysteriously opening, and the car opening all of the windows and the sun roof.

Just a thought, but it might help.

Welcome to X5World!

Jim M

Bimmer4125 · #3 12-03-2008, 12:09 PM

Depending on the year of your X5 you may want to check the rear "grip strip" above your license plate lamps. Mine (2004 4.4) had a leak and it shorted out the plate lamps and caused the rear latch to open and close by itself very randomly. I discovered the issue by finding pooled water in the plate lamp covers. Dealer replaced the strip under CPO and have had no issue since. Might want to check this out.

racecarjohnny · #4 12-03-2008, 12:45 PM

My X5 is a 2001 4.4

cmyX6go · #5 12-03-2008, 01:02 PM

I had the same problem with my '01. It always seemed to happen while backing out of the garage. Not a good time for the hatch to open.

It was something with the latch, dealer fixed under warranty back then. Sorry, I don't know exactly what the fix was. I'm pretty sure I remember others chiming in with the same problem. I bet Weasel knows.

NOVAX5 · #6 12-03-2008, 01:06 PM

racecarjohnny, its a very common problem on the e53. search the forum for solution. it happens mostly during cold weather not in summer right? it has to do with the rear hatch locking mechanism. go to homedepot buy felt pads (1 mm thick is good) and cut to felt to the shape of the latch on the liftgate, apply it to the front a back of the latch part. first this will secure the latch in place tighter and second it will remove all rattles if you have any. after you apply the the felt adjust the rubber stopper on the 2 sides, make sure the liftgate close flush with the body pane (not too in or out) that hopefully will solve your mysterious issue. and if you will just apply 2 small felt pad to the shape of the rubber stoppers before you adjust them. cheers.

racecarjohnny · #7 12-03-2008, 01:15 PM

You guys are great. Thanks so much for your advice. Just to clarify. It does not happen when I am driving, it is primarily when the car is parked and key is out of the ignition. It also has happened in warm and cold weather.

chilliwilli · #8 12-03-2008, 01:23 PM

racecarjohnny...i believe you would get plenty of experienced responses if you had posted your issue on the E53 forum...considering that your issue is with an E53. Hope you are able to remedy.

racecarjohnny · #9 12-03-2008, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the heads up, my bad for posting it here. Is there a feature or a moderator that could move it for me?

racecarjohnny · #10 12-03-2008, 09:25 PM

posted in the proper forum, thanks again.

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