[B7TMW]

First off Hi. I'm normally found over on the five forum, e30zone etc. Hopefully looking at this site as a source of info.

So I have been asked to look at a 2011 320d e90 (saloon) with the following issues.

One fog light not working, number plate lights not working and the worst one of all, boot not opening.

Obviously, we can assume we have a loom issue with broken wires (it'll be the second BMW this week that I've done boot loom repairs too). But the question is, how the hell can you open the bootlid with no power to the actuator.

After build date 03/09, BMW deleted the manual key option. Earlier cars had the key slot in the number plate light panel which would allow emergency opening. This being a 2011, this doesn't have it.

The rear seats are not fold down. No armrest either or I'd kick the ski hatch panel out. So no access to the boot via that route. The rear seat can only be taken out by unlatching it in the parcel shelf area. Yep, you guessed it.....from the boot area!

I know it sounds ridiculous but I cannot think of a single way to release / open the boot lid, so that I can get to the loom and repair the damaged wires! The owner has suggested taking a cutting disc to the boot lid and then buying / painting another boot lid!!!!

It was also suggested breaking a rear light which is a good (if drastic) call. Problem is, it's only any good IF there's the luminous emergency release cable (that seems is maybe U.S. cars only) in there. It'll still be impossible to get through the internal boot trim to access the actuator.

If anyone has an LCI saloon e90 and can check / take a photo, with their boot open, of any emergency release and it's location, I'd appreciate it. As I would any other ideas or knowledge of how to release a boot lid when you can't get power to the actuator.

Cheers

[Makeuwunder]

Just a suggestion. Make sure the valet switch in the glovebox isn't on. This will stop the trunk from opening.

[B7TMW]

Originally Posted by Makeuwunder

Just a suggestion. Make sure the valet switch in the glovebox isn't on. This will stop the trunk from opening.

There is no valet switch in the glove box. 1st thing I checked.

Plus if it's broken wires as I suspect, there will be no power getting to the actuator regardless of any switching.

the issue was intermittent at first by all accounts. It went to a specialist, and it opened for him straight away. Shame he didn't investigate the lack of lights while it was open because when he shut it, it's never opened again!

[matteblue3er]

Remove the license plate lights and try and grab the trunk latch harness with a hook tool.

Then apply power manually. A 9v battery should work.

[Three_thirty_I]

Hope you get the boot opened! It still amazes me that BMW do stupid things like this - what possessed them to remove the bootlid manual key lock?!

[B7TMW]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

Remove the license plate lights and try and grab the trunk latch harness with a hook tool.

Then apply power manually. A 9v battery should work.

Thanks. I'll have a go at that.

[B7TMW]

Sorted! luckily trial and error sorted it and it appears that the only physically broken wire was the larger earth. I'll know more when I do a permanent repair tomorrow and check all the other wires.

I removed the boot switch and then the actual micro switch from the plastic assembly. Ran a temporary earth from the main earth point under the bonnet, to the rear of the car and with a tiny split pin, applied this earth to the brown wire to the switch. Operated the micro switch and hey presto, the boot popped!!

Pulled the loom boot out of the body work at each end and the main earth wire (larger brown) pulled straight out of each end. A complete clean break. I've soldered the two ends together as a temp repair and we now have a boot light, number plate lights, all rear lights and the all important boot opening switch all working.

I think I'll find some damaged insulation of the other wires, having repaired a few boot looms now so will probably splice in new wiring completely.

[Three_thirty_I]

Wow, glad you got it open at least!! Good luck with the fix etc!