The issues you describe appears to be something other than the "springs" you installed.

For instance, the SCA (soft close actuator) is designed not to open the liftgate while the vehicle is in motion...if that occurred as you say...something in the SCA system or GM is not operating correctly (see SCA FUNCTIONS in inf below).

If nothing else...pull the K112 relay and reinsert it (check for corrosion or other signs of trouble first, though). The k112 relay should be the very last relay in the cargo fuse box (I believe it's purple) closest to the right rear tail light.


In the faceift x5 (2004-2006 model year)...the K112 relay which controls the SCA open functions...is the purple relay on the far right in pic below in the rear cargo area fuse /relay box:

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...0Image%202.jpg

Qsilver, thanks for jumping in! I think you are onto something. I did pull the relay out and back in, as you suggested, but still no joy. There are no signs of corrosion. I did notice a few things though:

1. The actuator is definitely not working properly anymore. It no longer pulls the lift gate when I shut it. I think I do hear the lock engaging though when I lock.

2. The exterior button to open the lift gate is not functioning anymore :(
I use the remote mainly, especially after I installed the springs, so I did not notice.
The rubber seal over the button has dried up and deteriorated awhile back. I re-sealed it with silicone and learned to use the remote instead. At the time I went to the dealership and they explained it's the whole assembly that needed to be replaced. Was expensive (~250?) so I skipped it. Everything worked at the time so I resealed the rubber and called it good.

3. I am missing the middle relay from the picture! the light blue one. What is it for? :)

Could the relay be toast? What else can I check?
Thanks

Another quick update:

Qsilver7, I found your original post. I switched left and right (identical) purple relays, no joy. Checked fuses 82, 84 - all good.
Took apart the trim and got to the lock. My lock did look like the one in dbx5's thread but turning the star screw did nothing for me.
The exterior button, previously not working, worked for a minute while I was tinkering with it but now not working anymore. There are no loose contacts anywhere that I could find.

Right now the lid will open only with remote or button on dash. When I shut the lid it there is no sound from the lock and the door is not being grabbed.
Today it opened again while I was standing at a light! luckily I was quick to jump out and get it shut before the light turned green.

I don't have a device that can access the online WDS site anymore to verify...but I believe the light blue relay in the pic above is the K70 (SCA close) relay for my model/model year.

Try this link to the wiring diagram system to see if you can find the location of K70 for your model/model year: WDS BMW Wiring Diagram System - X5 E53

I just installed these springs in my tailgate, and it works better than I expected:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0x_...ature=youtu.be

Yes I installed a set on Friday and is worthwhile mod.

Any diy for it somewhere? I will do it this week.

Sorry if it's really simple, I don't want to mess up.

Yes - really simple. Support the tail-gate with a length of timber, pop-off the strut at tail gate end, using a pair of pliers or vice-grips unscrew the connecting cup end (female) from the steel shaft, slide the spring in place and then it's just reverse to reassemble. I applied a little grease to the cup before popping it back on to the ball end.
I did this mod last week when my springs arrived. My tail-gate now opens, but not all the way (about 2/3). I think I need new gas struts as the ones I have must be originals and perhaps have lost some of their gas over time.

Yeah I replaced one gas strut because you could hear the gas escaping from the strut.Once that was done with the spring its been a perfect opening mechanism that goes all the way up. Weak strut will only open midway.

Depends on temperature too. In summer my hatch fully opens. In winter it pops up about 1.5feet but I have to raise it a bit before gas shocks take over and raise it fully