Trunk Lock Problem, 1998 740iL

[Doc Larry]

Went to open the trunk today, and nothing. The button pushes in, but it doesn't unlatch. So, I tried both master keys, turned all the way to the left, pushed in the latch, nothing, although can hear a solenoid clicking at times somewhere behind the latch. Any thoughts?

[psjr]

When you turn the key it goes all the way to 90 degrees?
If it still doesn't open then, the most common cause is something jammed in the trunk making it extra tight, and the usual solution is to push up or down (I forget which) while trying to open to help it get un-stuck.

[Doc Larry]

It goes to a detent at about 45, which activates the electronic unlock, then goes on past but not quite to 90. Already tried pushing up and down.

[haynes740]

Happened to me and had my wife sit on trunk then hop off while I pulled up. It was a jacket sleeve caught in the release.


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[Doc Larry]

So the next step is.....try to get inside via the rear seat? Can that be done?

[psjr]

I think the best bet is to try with a lot of downward force like haynes740 said.

Getting in via the rear seat is possible if a person is small enough. easier if you have a ski bag, otherwise you have to punch out the metal cutout.
There is also a method that involves drilling a small hole behind the license plate so you can grab an actuator. It is probably on www.e38.org.

[kouks]

how about the trunk release near the hood latch in the driver cabin?

[Qsilver7]

If you can hear the trunk actuator when turned 45° counter clockwise...and then when turning 90° to the manual unlock position and the trunk still doesn't open...then I'm with PSJR...more than likely something is jammed in the latch...which means pressure/release will be required to get the trunk open. The interior hood release button will only do what turning the lock cylinder 45° does.

And if you don't have the ski-bag option...then there's a metal partition between the cabin and trunk (#4 in the diagram below)...which only has a small knockout/cutout for entry from inside the cabin into the trunk (behind the rear ctr armrest. The rear parcel shelf (horizontal) is spot welded to the vertical partition between the trunk and cabin which makes one large metal piece...which is welded to each side of the vehicle for structural rigidity/integrity (its not your run-of-the-mill Chevy/Ford/Chrysler pressed board divider):

[Djneff]

I have an E39, but very similar functions. That happened to me as well with a towel stuck in the latch, I turned the key 90 degrees, could feel the latch move, but wouldn't budge open. I just started rocking the trunk lid violently up and down while keeping the key turned. If what's wedged is not too thick, it should work. Good luck, hopefully you can get the dead prostitute out of your trunk before she starts rotting.

[Doc Larry]

No way it was the prostitute, she was too big to fit in there. Hello???

I've been telling myself from the first post on, there's simply nothing in my trunk to get caught in that latch. But sitting here, I just now remembered, I've been missing my windbreaker. Okay, so I'll get an assistant, and rock and bounce that trunk lid! Thanks for the help, and I'll report back but probably not for at least several days.

[Qsilver7]

DL....how big was she? The e38 trunk placard says it can fit 3 bodies...you may have to break/bend/arrange their legs if they get a little tall.

[carnut1947]

If you find nothing jamming the latch once open, make sure the rubber bump stop pins extend to allow the latch to clear the striker as you push the unlatch button. The trunk lid uses the same bump stop extending pins as the radiator support. The spring loaded pins should move in/out smoothly. They are mounted at either end of the lid at the bottom outboard edges.

[Doc Larry]

Okay, so I did finally get the trunk open by bouncing up and down on it while pulling up. Nothing was caught in the latch. I readjusted the bumper lift springs, which I think might have been too far out and causing the latch to bind. Regardless, it is working for the time being. Thanks for the help.

[haynes740]

Good news on the trunk.


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[Doc Larry]

I've continued to have intermittent problems with the trunk. Today I finally had time to take the trunk lid carpeting off and take a good look at the mechanism. I ended up finding a small part jammed into the latch mechanism. I saw that someone else had a similar problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uB7Es3ep2s and sure enough, I found the same thing. At any rate, this is what the part looks like. The latch works fine without it, but of course, one wonders what purpose it served....part.jpgIt's about an inch long. At any rate, I think the problem is now solved....

[haynes740]

That looks like part of a trunk bump stop cap that keeps the spring assembly together. Are your bump stops in place?


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[740iSport303]

I'd bet at least one if not both bump stop pins are collapsed.

[Doc Larry]

I assume you're talking about the adjustable, spring loaded bumpers, one on either side. Yes, I replaced one about 3 years ago when I bought the car. That part binding in the latch was the problem....

[shenofjo]

Murphy's law my friend. Glad you found the problem!