Trunk hatch problem
 

Hello all. I have a very strange thing happening to my 2002 X5, I cannot open the hatch using the outside button, I can use the inside button and it works. Now the strange thing is : Every time I shut the car off and take out (taking out the key) the key the hatch opens. This happened only if the car is running or the key is in the on position . It will not happen if I just put the key in. Any Ideas. Im planning a trip from Pennsylvania to Florida in a few days and I know this is going to be a chore every time I stop.

Im stumped.

Sounds like maybe the button is stuck or shorted.

Most likely water in the switch.

Remove the rubber button ad let it dry out. Then address how water is getting in or do as I did and just leave the rubber button off so any moisture just drips out.

Definitely water inside.
Mine used to unlock trunk when I was switching lights on. Licence plate light's positive would feed the lock.

I also have random switch issues depending on how wet it is

When mine did it, I had an interesting associated problem; my gas struts were weak so the hatch would pop open and immediately re-latch making it a two person job to open using the inside hatch release.

Has similar problems. Also glitches my rear lights.
You need this piece
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Genuine-BMW-...-127632-2357-0

I recently replaced the seal between the handle and the body, to stop water get in there. The seal design has been updated.

On mine I was pretty sure the water got inside and the seal was holding it in. Never really found the source as I left the rubber button off.

Yes its been updated in fact to prevent leaking.
I've seen pictures on this forum.
I've also seen 2-3 different designs as I've pulled like 5 of these complete trunk latch panels from the scrap yard
I was not able to find a single one with everything working lol. All of them at least one licence plate light wouldn't work. Either left or right side. So I just ran a wire from the working side to the non working side and for now I live with a light error, until I find one in a better condition.
But the ones I removed with updated design, there's no rust and they're very clean at the latch button area.