BMW Z3 Trunk Lid Stuck

[newbimmerguy12]

Hi all, I need some quick help.

I shut my trunk the other day and no it won't open. I'm pretty sure that the actuator rod that goes between the key and the latch slipped off as removed it the other day chasing another issue.

There seems to be two solutions. One, drilling a hole under the roundel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVdESLYrXRU

The other is contained in two threads but mum seems to be the word on it.
https://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8481
https://zroadster.org/threads/z3-boo...ont-open.3451/

I signed up for the first forum but they've been very slow on approving my account so I can't post there. I'll try the second one. Short of that, anyone have any tips before I do any unnecessary drilling on my precious roadster? ;o

Thanks

[khammack]

You are currently on the most active Z3 forum. The two you mentioned were much more active than they are now. While I don't have an answer for your issue, I am confident you will receive many responses to help you out. Good luck.

[Vintage42]

... I shut my trunk the other day and no it won't open...
There seems to be two solutions. One, drilling a hole under the roundel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVdESLYrXRU
The other is contained in two threads but mum seems to be the word on it.
https://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8481
https://zroadster.org/threads/z3-boo...ont-open.3451/
...

I think the other solution kept mum on zroadster may be the same as the first one on youtube, drilling.
Drilling can be done neatly:
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?t=1276312

[Tigershark48]

Looking though all the threads in the links on this problem, it appears the rod has failed for quite a few owners. For those of us who have not had this happen, is there a good recommended preventative measure? Better to never have the failure if possible.

[raubritter]

That's what I was thinking too... I need to go take a look at this mechanism, but from the linked thread, this seems like it might be something you could do:

"Turns out the rod that goes from the push button to the latch had come loose.....put it back together and wrapped it with some thin wire to make sure it would not happen again."

[newbimmerguy12]

I think the other solution kept mum on zroadster may be the same as the first one on youtube, drilling.
Drilling can be done neatly:
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?t=1276312

They made it sound a bit less destructive, but I can't think of anything so I guess that's what I'm gonna do. Thanks for the link Vintage, I had yet to see a clean writeup. I guess I'll give this a shot today and report back.

@Tigershark, unfortunately the access panel to get to the rod is a one way in ordeal. I had to bend the little tabs that hold it in over backwards to get it out. If you don't break it in the process it never fit back good and tight like it did. That is unless there is a removal process I am unaware of. It's the plastic bushing that turns, so gluing it or otherwise tightening the connection should help. I'm sure mine was loosened by my fiddling with it, considering it happened only days after.

[Tigershark48]

You might want to PM a few names that were suggested on the other forum first. I got the impression that they only wanted to share their procedure individually to keep the general public (like thieves) from learning an easy way to break in. Some who did the PM route said it was a ten minute procedure that worked for them.

[newbimmerguy12]

You might want to PM a few names that were suggested on the other forum first. I got the impression that they only wanted to share their procedure individually to keep the general public (like thieves) from learning an easy way to break in. Some who did the PM route said it was a ten minute procedure that worked for them.

Too late for that. It's done now. I never could get onto the other forum as they were too slow in approving my account.

It took about 10 minutes, I followed the procedure outlined by the guy in the video to a tee. Most of that was removing the badge. I used some leftover butyl from replacing the top to seal it up. I think I put the rod in wrong, it seems really secure now.

Thanks all.

[Tigershark48]

I never signed up with them. Who knows? Their procedure could very well be the same one you used since it only took you ten minutes. Glad you got it fixed. I haven’t looked at the rod yet since it’s freezing in my garage. Just curious how some of these have failed and exactly how it can be avoided.