BMW boot solenoid problem

Hi All

Wife's car boot will not open using the remote or push buttons on the boot. There is no master key. When the boot release button is pressed (or the button under the dash, or the remote fob button) the release solenoid makes a quite squeal only. Anyone got any ideas what could be the cause or cure. I've tried lifting it, sitting on it, bashing it. Ta.

Reply to
Grumps
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Sounds like a flat battery or corroded connection or dodgy relay somewhere.

Try it with the engine running and revved up a bit.

Bad connections wont fix that way..nor will dirty contacts.

If there is a relay you can swap out that might work.

My jag used to also have a place for a key hidden in it somewhere..check handbook.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

You might try uk.rec.cars.maintenance. There are good knowledgeable folk there. Failing that, and I hesitate to write this, ............... angle grinder.

Reply to
Nick

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Reply to
Richard

Sounds like a flat battery or corroded connection or dodgy relay somewhere.

Try it with the engine running and revved up a bit.

Thanks. I tried that. No luck.

Bad connections wont fix that way..nor will dirty contacts.

If there is a relay you can swap out that might work.

I suspect the relay is in the boot, along with some of the fuses.

However... I suspected the key I have IS the master key and the lock is corroded. I took a trip to get some WD40 and pressed the internal boot release - it opened :) I've now been told that the rear central locking did not work - it does now. Dodgy wire/relay somewhere.

My jag used to also have a place for a key hidden in it somewhere..check handbook.

Reply to
Grumps

You might try uk.rec.cars.maintenance. There are good knowledgeable folk there. Failing that, and I hesitate to write this, ............... angle grinder.

God I hate Windows Live Mail. How do you get it to put ">" on replies. Anyway, angle grinder is not needed as boot lock sprang into life. Just need to find the reason for its stubbornness.

Reply to
Grumps

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lock switch in the glove box?! WTF. I never knew there was one. Thanks, I'll have a look.

Reply to
Grumps

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lock switch in the glove box?! WTF. I never knew there was one. Thanks, I'll have a look.

Well, there does not appear to be any switch in the glove box, and the glove box lock does not affect the operation of the boot release. But thanks for the clue anyway.

Reply to
Grumps

You can't. Try Thunderbird if you want mail & news in one program.

Tim

Reply to
Tim

Or 'downgrade' from WLM V15 (2011) to WLM v14 (2009), if you google for instructions and install packages they are available ...

Reply to
Andy Burns

Try uk.rec.cars.maintenance.

or MrCheerful may be along in a minute

Reply to
Newshound

The motor on my E39 failed too - not surprising when I took the broken one apart to see why. Cheap plastic worm drive and gears. The worm shaft had snapped. Looked like it cost all of a couple of quid to make. But of course cost rather more as a spare...

Have you checked the handbook for a manual release?

Or do a Google for that fault on your particular model?

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

So what does a "Valet lock switch" do if you have one?

Baz

Reply to
Baz

On modern Jags

"Valet Mode allows the vehicle to be locked by a parking attendant, without giving access to the luggage compartment and glove compartment.

The setting is accessed via the Vehicle menu on the Touch-screen."

I cant remember how it worked on my older version.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

I looked it up and remembered. secret switch and you gave the valet a different key without radio control or something.

I only ever valet parked it once - at Heathrow. Gave em the total keys and emptied the boot!

One of the more useless features of that car.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

My older BMW has a valet key which only opens the doors and ignition. So I'd expect a valet lock to inhibit the boot opening in some way?

I do have a further boot open button on the driver's side footwell - I dunno if that still works if you only have the valet key? Whatever, I'd expect there to be some way to secure the boot from a valet parking service - who will likely know all the ways to get into things.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

The motor on my E39 failed too - not surprising when I took the broken one apart to see why. Cheap plastic worm drive and gears. The worm shaft had snapped. Looked like it cost all of a couple of quid to make. But of course cost rather more as a spare...

Have you checked the handbook for a manual release?

Or do a Google for that fault on your particular model?

Seems quite a few reasons, one of them being the wiring loom that goes to the boot lid. It's working ok at the moment, but I'll have a look at the wires this weekend. I recall having to mend one a while back as one number plate light was out. Pictures on the web show that many wires can break or short causing various problems. Or it could be something else, maybe the general module. If the key worked in the boot lock, that'd be nice. Cheers all.

Reply to
Grumps

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