BMW Boot not opening with central locking - E39

vicwatson

Hi,

The boot latch won't open for me when I press the remote central locking, I used to press the top button and all doors would open and it would unlock the boot also.

In the last few days only the doors will open when I press the top button. I need to press the bottom button on the remote to unlock the boot now.

Hope I've explained this ok, any ideas what the story is? and why the boot won't unlock with the central remote control

TIA

FreudianSlippers

This is a notorious problem on the E39. Are you square key or diamond key?

Also have you tried making sure that it isn't in valet position? I think if the lock cylinder is vertical then it is normal, horizontal is valet (or vice versa)... that'd be the easy fix

vicwatson

This is a notorious problem on the E39. Are you square key or diamond key?

Also have you tried making sure that it isn't in valet position? I think if the lock cylinder is vertical then it is normal, horizontal is valet (or vice versa)... that'd be the easy fix

Diamond shaped key.

It's a new lock (within last 4 months) as it cost 130 to buy and have fitted by my own mechanic :mad::mad::mad:

Any other possibilities? Valet position? I don't understand, thanks for response

FreudianSlippers

vicwatson wrote: »

Diamond shaped key.

It's a new lock (within last 4 months) as it cost 130 to buy and have fitted by my own mechanic :mad::mad::mad:

Any other possibilities? Valet position? I don't understand, thanks for response

Have a look at the lock cylinder on the boot itself. I can't remember exactly, but if it's vertical then it's normal, but if it's horizontal then it's in valet position.
Try turning it (with the key) to the vertical position and take out the key... then attempt to use the button again.

If that is not the problem: when you press the button do you hear the noise... I won't attempt to spell out the sound, but you know the noise it makes.
If you DO hear that then it's probably not the actuator. If you don't, it probably is.

Why did you have to get a new lock OOC?

analfabets

Wires beside hinge will break sometimes. Had the same problem on Saab 9-5 and E39. Easy fix. Do you get bootlid open error message in dasboard.

dekbhoy

vicwatson wrote: »

Hi,

The boot latch won't open for me when I press the remote central locking, I used to press the top button and all doors would open and it would unlock the boot also.

In the last few days only the doors will open when I press the top button. I need to press the bottom button on the remote to unlock the boot now.

Hope I've explained this ok, any ideas what the story is? and why the boot won't unlock with the central remote control

TIA

had this problem , first thing to check is the wiring from the latch were the boot hinges , the little wire is notorious for breaking , its cased in black trunking and is easy to find

Fishtits

Known issue, Check the wiring loom as it enters the boot.

Cheers,

vicwatson

Checked the wiring and it doesn't look damaged at all, any other possible solutions? thansk

Lex Luthor

Solenoids are prone to fail on these. Can u still open with key?

vicwatson

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Solenoids are prone to fail on these. Can u still open with key?

I need to press the bottom button on the remote to unlock the boot now. Whereas it used to open up with the doors when I pressed the top button on the remote. Now I need to press the bottom button seperately for it to open

Fishtits

E39, break your heart sooner or later.

fishtits, 20 year BMW ownership went tits up with a E39...

never again.

FreudianSlippers

vicwatson wrote: »

I need to press the bottom button on the remote to unlock the boot now. Whereas it used to open up with the doors when I pressed the top button on the remote. Now I need to press the bottom button seperately for it to open

You're either in valet mode or it's the actuator. As I said before, it's a common problem.
Super easy fix too: http://bighuang.com/misc/5sport/trunkactuator/

vicwatson

This was doing my head in so much yesterday I had to do something about it so I went and put the key in the boot lock to try it and turned it and hey bloody presto !

I never EVER used the key in the lock before - how the hell did it turn by itself or what's going on ?

Thanks for all the help

Have a look at the lock cylinder on the boot itself. I can't remember exactly, but if it's vertical then it's normal, but if it's horizontal then it's in valet position.
Try turning it (with the key) to the vertical position and take out the key... then attempt to use the button again.

I'd like to know how the hell my boot went into valet position by itself

FreudianSlippers

vicwatson wrote: »

This was doing my head in so much yesterday I had to do something about it so I went and put the key in the boot lock to try it and turned it and hey bloody presto !

I never EVER used the key in the lock before - how the hell did it turn by itself or what's going on ?

Thanks for all the help

Have a look at the lock cylinder on the boot itself. I can't remember exactly, but if it's vertical then it's normal, but if it's horizontal then it's in valet position.
Try turning it (with the key) to the vertical position and take out the key... then attempt to use the button again.

I'd like to know how the hell my boot went into valet position by itself

Lucky it was the easy answer! Did you have it in for a service? Sometimes they do it if they're messing with the battery.

vicwatson

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Lucky it was the easy answer! Did you have it in for a service? Sometimes they do it if they're messing with the battery.

No not in for service. I'm aghast !!