So after a nice time at Oktoberfest in Chippewa Falls, WI - loading up the car to head home on Sunday our trunk latch failed. With a little duct tape holding the trunk shut (no, that's not the easy fix...) we got home without losing anything.
Called the dealer for a replacement trunk lock actuator $139 or Crown auto $89 - yikes!.
Looked here for removal info - great reference:
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/t...20actuator.htm
So here was the culprit:
After 5 minutes noodling with two pliers:
Test fit in the lock mechanism:
So far, so good. I'll get a real replacement if the spring breaks again...
Hope this helps.
Last edited by MNsport528i; 09-22-2009 at 01:31 AM. Reason: trunk lock? trunk latch I guess...
I can't believe I've had my 528iA sport 14 years and counting . . .
lol just did this 5 days ago!
Nice pics!! Too late for me though as I had to do this in March!
Another one of the "common" E39 problems.
Anything free is good LOL...
Great Fix!
my trunk latch failed the day before a 3 week vacation! Had to leave unlocked in front of house...sucks
upon disassembly the spring was gone. Not in trunk not be found. My local BMW dealer would sell the complete assy for 175 or so...no way
Went to Orchard supply and found a spring that looked ok bent ends and installed worked fine. Repaired for a buck
Can anyone help me out with my trunk problem?
My problem is, that the trunk won't open with the key, nor will it open when I press the button on the trunk latch.
The only way of opening it is by using the key turning it, and then it will open. Anyone know what's up with my trunk?
My trunk actuator spring snapped as well...shopped around a little and found a similar spring at NAPA (which the clerk gave to me for FREE!), and after a little jury-rigging works great!
Last edited by jamesdc4; 09-17-2010 at 08:00 PM.
Hmmm I believe so, although when I sometimes try opening the trunk with the key it makes a weird sound, and doesn't open, I then physically put the key in the trunk key hole and tuern it and the trunk opens.
Im gonna go check and see if there are any cut,worn wires there.
You could also try lubricating the latch mechanism.
followed this guide exactly and fixed my trunk latch
happy camper
thank you very much.
Mine broke last night ... Fixed it this morning. Thanks for the writeup
Did you ever get this figured out? It sounds like the same problem I had. It makes a "repeating-type" sound, right? Lots of short bursts, sort of like an automatic weapon?
The problem is the actual (electrical) mechanism that controls the movement of the locking/unlocking rod. The plastic gears inside are broken. I tried fixing mine (you have to cut the black, plastic box open), but it didn't last too long.
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
This guide rocks,my trunk latch broke the other night and followed this and got mine fixed.. Thanks a lot OP..
Could my latch be broken and not catching because of a broken spring? Today I closed my trunk and would lot latch. Visually everything seems okay and nothing broken but the latch is loose. I compared it too another functioning E39 latch and was not loose and closed with no effort.
10/28- Fixed the problem according to this DIY once I actaully found out the spring was broken as shown in the pictures. I will call around to see if anyone carries this type of spring or just form it as the other end. Great DIY nontheless.
Last edited by AHay5; 10-28-2011 at 03:57 PM.
Here's a little tip. In the linked article in the original post, a paint can opener was suggested as a tool. I didn't have one. What I did was to take the metal clip part of those popular Sanford ballpoint pens, the part that lets it clip on your pocket, and modify it. First I bent it 90* outwards, then I pulled it out of the pen's cap. That makes it into an 'L' shape. Then I took the short part of the 'L', and bent it into a slight 'V'. I used it to remove the clips, especially useful for the very recessed one that covers the philips screw. I used it for the 2 clips that you first remove, to lift it up a little bit. Then I used my interior door panel clip removal tool to lift the inner part up high, then the outer part.
Door panel clip removal tool:
Last edited by Jason C SBB; 11-19-2011 at 07:40 PM.
///Mello Yello
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