trunk actuator details

[Sundancer]

so the latch would not stay closed on the trunk, the latch will close, but the trip arm does not return, so it unlatches. I have the electric actuator removed from the latch...should the actuator pull the arm back, and then cycle or spring back and return, or does the trip arm on the latch itself have a spring to cause it to return?

[Timm]

It should spring back - so you probably have the same problem as I had - a broken spring:

https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/BMW_E3...eplacement.htm

[Sundancer]

Yes that's it, I'll take the actuator apart and have a look...I didn't want to drill the pins out of the latch unless it had a spring in it...

thanks very much for posting

[rotomoto712]

I also had the same issue as the OP, however my problem was the trunk buffers (I'm not sure the technical name, but they are the round buffers that thread into the L & R side of the trunk) needed to be adjusted. They were preventing the latch from fully engaging.

[Sundancer]

you guys are going to love this...

So after getting the info here about the actuator, I found a 5 series at a wrecker where I plan on getting another actuator. so for the time being, I figure I can put the latch back in, and using the key pushbutton, open the trunk using that...so I close the trunk...but...

when trouble shooting the latch, I moved the bracket that goes into the latch all the way out, to get it to engage...and the button trip rod...doesn't reach the latch, so I've locked myself out of the trunk....

My car has the optional ski bag, so I pull the cushion, unzip the bag, push the trap door up, and using a 4foot broom handle with a piece of steel screwed to it...I snake in, under the body flange at the latch...and trip the latch...open trunk

Yes, adjusted the button trip rod out, and the latch rod back...