Liftgate is not functioning, help??
 

Hi, all,

The liftgate of my X5 is not working with either keyfob or an internal switch. When I clicked both keyfob and internal switch, I could hear clicking sound from the relay located in a rear passenger side and around the liftgage hatch, but not actuator sound.
This happened a few times in the past, but problem was gone with a few cycle of lock and unlock.

Is it really due to an actuator failure? Or are there any other problems?
Should I change the relay first in spite of the click sound?
How can we remove the inside plastic panel on the liftgate if necessart to access the actuator?

I appreciate any comment.

hi, somehow water gets in the back where it damages the connection. you can remove the back rear portion to check it out. i believe the screws are near are on the liftgate near the license plate lights. also check the fuse. hope this helps.

It may be the connections like MSUSaul said, but, I just wanted to add that just because you hear clicking from the relay doesn't mean it's good. The main failure mode of relays is the contacts get blasted and pitted from back EMF. You will still hear them click, but, the contact resistance could be so high that it can't power what it was meant to.

I got the point. I'll check a relay again throughly. Thank you very much.

I have the same issue, but everything in my liftgate does not work (center brake light, rear wipers, lift gate lights).

Which relay is it? I can not find a reference telling me which relay...

I've an X5 2005. The relay controling the actuator was the third from the front of four. All relays are subject to "sticking" for a number of reasons. I tapped mine wirh
the handle of a screw driver, which corrected the issue. An old spark chaser trick from my Air Force days with the F-4.

Same happened with mine. I went to my electrician, he pulled it out and back in. Has been fine since.