Tailgate Liftgate Problem

[atreidy]

For these few days, my trunk hasn't been closing properly using the button on the bottom of the liftgate.

Symptoms:
1) The liftgate doesn't seem to open all the way when using any of the buttons to open it. I think this is the case because after finished opening, I can manually push the liftgate about 2-3 inches higher.

2) When I push the button under the liftgate, the liftgate closes down about 3-5 inches, then seems to stop and returns up 1 inch.

3) Hear a bunch of clicking sounds like something is actuating but no results

Observations:
4) I noticed that there is a little rectangular black plastic piece that pulls off in the center of the bottom of the liftgate. If you pull it off, a bowden cable is revealed and it seems like some sort of emergency release for the trunk. Not 100% sure. But I've pulled it out and tugged on the cable before and it is no longer taut. I don't remember if it was taut the first time I pulled on it either. Wonder if I have to do anything to return it to original. It is item 12 here on realoem: http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...56&hg=41&fg=60

Please help if anyone has had similar experiences and figured out what was wrong

Also, where is the "motor" located in the automatic liftgate?

Thanks