Need help! Trunk won't open

[zookporter17]

Hi my names zack I have a e34 540i 6sp 130k on my baby. It started to get cold over here in Oregon and I had to park my car outside and my trunk stopped opening. Anyone know how to fix this?

[sse34]

Do you hear a sound? like a lock bar moving? << if not then your door computer that opens it is either dead or needs to be reset... if not dead continue to click the open latch till it opens ( like 30- 40 times, play with it hold the open latch/ click it alot.... this happened to me it finally reset and worked ).... if that doesnt work then your computer is dead... so then proceed to place your manual key into key slot and open trunk

and replace the computer.. around 200 dollars at a BMW dealership

[zookporter17]

Are you talking about my key for my remote? I've never had that work. I try to open it with my key and I swear it sounds like stuff is moving but it feels dead. Thanks man. I've been upset that my trunk won't open!

[M Quick]

What happens when you push the lock in? Nothing at all? Or does it move with force?


Do you hear a sound? like a lock bar moving? << if not then your door computer that opens it is either dead or needs to be reset... if not dead continue to click the open latch till it opens ( like 30- 40 times, play with it hold the open latch/ click it alot.... this happened to me it finally reset and worked ).... if that doesnt work then your computer is dead... so then proceed to place your manual key into key slot and open trunk

and replace the computer.. around 200 dollars at a BMW dealership


He most probably has a Sedan, what you're explaining is what goes for the Touring models. As there is no latch/click on the sedan, simply a lock that you twist and push in with the key to open the trunk.

[zookporter17]

It's a sedan. The button pushes in but doesn't feel the same.

Is there any way of getting the button out? This is really not cool

[M Quick]

Take a screwdriver or anything and pry from inside the lock GENTLY, i've done that a million times at winter time and that's never been a problem when the push lock has gotten stuck.

Just be sure to lube it up after you got it out.

[zookporter17]

Well no luck, I called my local dealer and they said something about a toggle switch in the glove compartment. Idk still trying. Local dealer said atleast an hr and $110 an hr!

I can't get to the inside of my trunk, I've been trying to pry it open.

[ljarseneau]

I found this article on line, hope it helps.
If the button pushes in freely without feeling like it's engaging with the latch, then the actuator link rod needs adjustment. If it won't open at all, then make repeated attempts to lock & unlock it with the key & keep doing it until you can feel some resistance when pushing the button. Push down on the trunk lid at the same time when trying to unlatch it. Once inside, remove the carpet jack cover to expose the actuator & adjust the actuator until the metal tab engages with the plastic lever. With mine, the plastic lever would slip off the side of the metal tab & the latch mechanism would never engage. Adjust it until it works all the time. The actuator adjustment screw holes are slotted. Bend the link rod if required to get more range of adjustment

[zookporter17]

I'm trying it right now and no luck. I'll keep on trying. Thank you! Anyone else? Oh boy am I glad I didn't have eggs or milk back there lol or a dead body! Haha

[70383roadrunner]

Well no luck, I called my local dealer and they said something about a toggle switch in the glove compartment. Idk still trying. Local dealer said atleast an hr and $110 an hr!

I can't get to the inside of my trunk, I've been trying to pry it open.

$110 per hour. That's a steal. My local BMW dealer in NJ is now up to $145 per hour.

[zookporter17]

Ya I guess Its alright, my BMW mechanic is only $75 an hr and he use to own a BMW dealer ship but I like to do things my self usually.

[quick93]

This sounds like a HUGE problem, you need to meet me and trade cars right away! :D

[zookporter17]

This sounds like a HUGE problem, you need to meet me and trade cars right away! :D

Lol how much cash you going to add?

[zookporter17]

Anyone else? Cause I'm about to call a lock smith if anyone things they can help? Or bring it to a dealer. I'd bring it to my mechanic but he hasn't called me back.

[jehu]

I'm trying it right now and no luck. I'll keep on trying. Thank you! Anyone else? Oh boy am I glad I didn't have eggs or milk back there lol or a dead body! Haha


I was unable to open my trunk once.

Pushing in the button did not pop the latch as usual.

the problem was the small white plastic bushing into which the latch rod attach's on the Lock broke and the L shaped end of that metal rod came out. It was therefore not able to release the latch when the button was pressed.

Got the picture?

http://home.comcast.net/~cpkver8/Lock_Arm.BMP

http://home.comcast.net/~cpkver8/lockarmbushing.BMP

In my circumstance I had to remove the rear seat ( bottom and back) remove the Ski Opening panel and I actually had to Sawzall through the Trunk Liner in order to use a long and rigid enough pole to flip the trunk latch from inside the Trunk through that Ski Opening...

I had to Sawzall the Trunk Liner because I had the trunk full of Boxes which prevented any movement of the rear portion of the Trunk Liner. You may be able to push it far enough in to reach something through to the latch and pop it.

I was able to find a Trunk Liner Rear Section from a Junk yard in perfect clean shape to replace the one I mutilated. It cost me $25.00

[zookporter17]

Wow! I've actually got a car system in my trunk...hmmm thank you sir! I'll try to figure something out i guess.

[jehu]

If this is your problem the only way to open it is to manually pop the latch. that means you have to be able to reach it with something. Its much too far to reach by hand.. I rigged a metal curtain rod and needed a flashlight to see where to aim the rod.. just had to be strong enough to resist the force you require when pulling up (or pushing down,I forget) on the actual latch which of course is located in the middle of the bottom of the lid where it closes over the catch on the body.. if you can reach something like a Golf club maybe or just some long rigid pole through to the latch you should be OK.. otherwise... I see a torch in your future..

[zookporter17]

My friend said to cut behind the license plate and reach it. I have a sub in my trunk and defently can't reach it throw my ski-hole the box is in the way. Thank you alot! I'll see what me and a friend can rig up.

JEHU I do wonder how you got to the lock. Did you already have your trunk interior removed? This does sound like my problem but idk how exactly I'm going to do this. My sub box is in the way and also my trunk interior is covering the lock.