Locked my Keys in the Trunk X5 E53 3.0I
 

I've left my only key in the trunk of my E53 2006 X5, after researching a bit i've found that several people mention a way to open the tailgate upper window by accesing trough the tab thats above the rear license plate lights, but for obvious reasons i guess nobody has posted the procedure in how to doit. So i went on private messaging UCrewX5 and I'm waitint for his reply, but I'm a bit desesperate as my car is 200 miles/2 ferries/in the middle of nowhere (Rio Puelo Valley in the northern part of Chilean Patagonia), you can't even buy gasoline over there (Not Joking). So I'm wondering if some of you have any ideas in how to proceed without breaking a window or doing significative damage to the car.

Once i did the drilling procedure on my 540, but not sure if such would work on an X5. Here a new key would take between 3-4 weeks and a locksmith will bill me a fortune to try as they are not sure they'll be able to open it. I appreciate if someone can help me out with ideas in how to proceed.

Thank You in advance, and excuses for my bad english.

Rod.-

Just in case the info you find is for the early build e53...take note that the rear liftgate may be different due to the introduction of the soft-close feature. See the information below...again just in case there's a difference in how the liftgate reacts to manual opening.

And here's some tips to those reading this thread..there are 3 things you should learn to do so that you NEVER EVER lock your (only) key inside the vehicle & have to deal with the inconvenience & frustrationthe OP is having to deal with:

1. always unlock the entire vehicle...even when only going into the cargo area
2. NEVER lay the key down inside the vehicle...ALWAYS put it in your pocket' hold it in your mouth or give it to someone else outside the vehicle...but never lay it down inside..and if you follow tip #1...if you did lay it down and close the liftgate or door...the entire vehicle is still unlocked. ;)
3. always lock the vehicle with the key from outside the vehicle...which if you followed tip #1 & #2...you'll never be locked out of the vehicle

I just sent you a PM

could you send me instructions as well. my problem is similar in that i can't get into the car but i have the key on hand. my problem is that the remote stopped working few months back and i used manual to open and close. today however i came by and the key would just spin left and right freely. also read that this might be due to weather(hope it is) but i've tried de ice sprays and nothing. i'd like to get in it to fix it myself or at very worse drive it to the shop. thanks in advance.

if anyone else knows the way please let me know.

Thanks QSilver and UCrewX5, The procedure didn't work on my car, for sure on earlier versions it does. However I managed to open it in a variation of the procedure. Got a guy to get the keys from the trunk with a cable :) ... a true artist!!!

DUDE!?!?!

TEMA did you change your control batteries as on this video? maybe if you get your remote working you manage to open your car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTwXlnr8uj0

yes and no response. my key is aftermarket(changed the battery to no affect) i have my original key but it's broken beyond fixing

Guys, I really need to.get inside the car. Is there any truth to the secret method. Or is the only option a locksmith?

No spare key?

Get a lockout kit.

This is an issue that will never happen with "an ounce of prevention".

Owners with only one key, order a BMW valet key, put it in a quality magnetic key holder, and attach it to the chassis.

If the drivers door handle carrier is broken, fix it.

Also a good idea to have the 2nd remote key, kept at home. Swap the keys every few months to keep the batteries charged.

When buying a used vehicle, deduct the negotiated price for BMW replacement cost of ANY missing keys (POs lost them, not you).

Hindsight 2020 90% of the time all the time

Not hindsight, just common sense of vehicle ownership (hope for the best and prepare for the worst).

I understood it when my dad explained it to me over 30 yrs ago.

And as mentioned in post #2...if even if you have a spare/back-up key...you can prevent EVER locking yourself out of the vehicle and being inconvenienced by following the 3 principles below. And if you only have ONE key...you definitely should consider following these 3 principles:

1. always unlock the entire vehicle...even when only going into the cargo area
2. NEVER lay the key down inside the vehicle...ALWAYS put it in your pocket, hold it in your mouth if you have to, or lay it down or give it to someone else outside the vehicle...but never lay it down inside..and if you follow tip #1...if you did lay it down and close the liftgate or door...the entire vehicle is still unlocked. ;)
3. always lock the vehicle with the key from outside the vehicle...which if you followed tip #1 & #2...you'll never be locked out of the vehicle

In my case upon locking the door manually and returning to open the door the drum spun 45 degrees left and right. Had my remote worked i wouldn't have had a problem

TEMA, sounds like your key remote is not synchronized so even with a new battery, it wont open your car.

Your door lock cylinder is broken, you will need to remove it and replace it or attempt to repair it with a lock cylinder repair kit. I and many others have done it, easy to repair if you are reasonably inclined. It requires the doors to be open though.

Looks like you need a locksmith on this one.

Go order the key cylinder repair kit on Amazon, and when the locksmith gets it open go sync your existing remote to the car and do (ir have the locksmith do) the lock cylinder repair. Then get a spare remote key.

Got the car open (with the help of the tech). Now the rear doors aren't opening from the inside also the central lock isn't working. My guess is that the computer wants the doors closed manually? I'll definitely be repairing this ASAP. What I did though incase the doors cease I tied a rope from the inside of the tailgate release and hid it in the license plate light(temporarily) can't even see it tested it few times. Also when opening rear gate with that rope the automatic close doesn't work and I have to either slam it or open it from the inside then it socks it in.

Thanks

Also when opening the door with the car running or the key in ignition the system does not indicate an open door

Anyone have a diagram of the locking system (with wiring / locations / receivers)? or a link to other threads. I'll do my own search in the meantime.



Also, OP, sorry for highjacking your thread

Found a thread of another forum, the user there had the same symptoms as I ( is it okay to post link to the other forum?)

His end result was switching out his lock cylinder. So thats where I'm starting

Key cylinder - 170 bucks. Wait time - 10 days feeling - priceless

Anyone know how to open fuel door/cap

There is a release cord inside the back right side compartment where the fuse bay is located. It should be green. Just pull it.

yes, you can post links from other forums. This site is about sharing information and helping each other.

Key cylinder repair kit is less than $20 IIRC. Did you ever look into that? It's an easy 30min or so job.

I have a similar situation can you PLEASE PM me ucrewx5 I'm very desperate

- Get a key without the FOB at dealer for $50.

There's no dealership around me. I live in a remote area. I'm flying to the states hoping that I can get a key while I'm there.

I did this in Thames Ditton BMW dealership when picking up my alternator in the summer. Luckily, I left the sunroof open so I climbed up the car and in through the roof. The guys walking up to drive the 530 parked next to me with the sales guy had a great look on there face as I popped out the boot with the alarm going and calmly said to them, "Don't mind me, just testing it to see if I can get a full size male body in the boot!" and then proceeded to the parts desk! hahaha....

Sucks when this happens. I have the uk pass cap lock mod since people were ripping the locks out when the cars just came out (happened several times when the car was parked actually). Fast forward 10 years, ended up locking the only working key I had left after coming back to the locked car to drop something off in the trunk, dropping the keys in the trunk, closing the trunk, and locking myself out. No spares, and no mech. lock. Expected to get raped by the locksmith, but it all worked out well since it took him an hour an a half to finally get inside! Lesson learned! Never take the damn keys out your pocket...