Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: trunk issues - confirmed and solved

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Seattle, WA, USA
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2009 BMW 528i

    trunk issues - confirmed and solved 2009 528i

    Joined this forum to ask about trunk problems on a [new to me] 2009 528i - battery drain, lights stay on, actuator engages spontaneously, false license lamp messages, etc.

    Read a few posts here about broken wires at the hinge. Opened mine up tonight to find the exact thing I read here - broken brown (ground?) wire. Textbook example.

    I pulled the inner trunk lid liner, unclipped the harness so I could slide it out of the hinge enough to repair. Soldered and shrink wrapped the one broken wire, then added some corrugated plastic sleeve around the entire harness. I left out the rubber plug usually at the end of the hinge - that looks like the source of the problem to me - guarantees the wires will bend at a 90 degree angle every time opened/closed. By leaving the plug out and using the plastic sleeving I believe the wires will take a more natural bend, and will be protected from rubbing on the hinge tube.




    Last edited by allpinball; 01-17-2019 at 01:32 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Napa, Ca
    Posts
    1,796
    My Cars
    1987 M6
    Nice little fix. Kudos !

    José
    1987 M6
    Livin the dream!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Brentwood, CA
    Posts
    276
    My Cars
    2000 528iT; 2008 550i/6
    I hope you scrutinized all the other wires in the harness as I'd be surprised if only the brown wire was affected. Th brown may have been broken but I'm guessing the others were likely stressed and may not be far behind. Good luck.
    2007 530i sport (Montreal Blue w/ gray interior)
    2008 550i sport (Alpine White w/ black interior)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Seattle, WA, USA
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2009 BMW 528i
    yes I stretched and bent the other wires looking for other breaks. Typically if the copper is broken the insulation will stretch if you pull on the wire. The brown wire appeared to be the only culprit - and being broken and contained within the wire tape - it was certainly making intermittent connection and acting randomly.

    Speaking of wire tape - what the hell is that sticky stuff they used? I still have residue left on my hands!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    I repaired my old Volvo wagon with wire that they use on the robots that they for building cars. The wire as a very fine diameter but the flexablitly comes from the fact that the wire core is not just one. It Is a bunch of individual cores of wires that make up the whole wire.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,773
    My Cars
    99 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by jclausen View Post
    I repaired my old Volvo wagon with wire that they use on the robots that they for building cars. The wire as a very fine diameter but the flexablitly comes from the fact that the wire core is not just one. It Is a bunch of individual cores of wires that make up the whole wire.
    Typical automotive wiring is multi conductor.
    How is robot wire different?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Similar Threads

  1. Will this hold up? Trunk issue.
    By segue007 in forum 1996 - 2002 Z3 (E36/7, E36/8)
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-17-2005, 04:52 PM
  2. trunk issues!!!
    By SHEBUILT in forum 1976 - 1989 (E24)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-01-2005, 09:00 PM
  3. Trunk issues
    By cougar in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 11-04-2004, 07:57 AM
  4. Having a trunk issue... Please help
    By skorpiond in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-01-2004, 07:26 AM
  5. Keyless Entry / Trunk Issues
    By fldragon in forum 2001 - 2006 M3 (E46)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-17-2004, 09:46 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •