Trunk not closing!-!!HELP!! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

tutash · 6th February 2009, 23:06

My trunk won't close, period. The latch won't engage, so every bump I drive over causes the trunk lid to flop open, and I get a nice "bong" from the dash telling me my trunk is open.

I've had this issues in the past, but usually some combination of locking and/or closing the trunk would finally engage the latch. Now, nothing seems to help.

I have some time tonight to take a look at it. I don't mind pulling apart the trunk lock, but I don't know what to look for.

Any suggestions?

davidoli · 6th February 2009, 23:10

Spray the entire catch mechanism with WD40 or lubricant and do the same to the actual silver metal part in which you put the key ......operate both a number of times to free off the sticking mechanism and all your troubles should be over !

D

chrisdaph · 7th February 2009, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by tutash

My trunk won't close, period. The latch won't engage, so every bump I drive over causes the trunk lid to flop open, and I get a nice "bong" from the dash telling me my trunk is open.

I've had this issues in the past, but usually some combination of locking and/or closing the trunk would finally engage the latch. Now, nothing seems to help.

I have some time tonight to take a look at it. I don't mind pulling apart the trunk lock, but I don't know what to look for.

Any suggestions?

Can you get a hair dryer to it on an extension cord? It's certainly cold enough at the moment for the latch to freeze! When you have it released, a liberal application of lithium grease will prevent it from happening again.

tutash · 7th February 2009, 07:37

davidoli, the WD-40 worked! Nice, and thank you.

I'll also make sure to grease it as chrisdaph suggested.

-----------------------------

It's so tough to keep this car together sometimes. I've spent so much $ keeping it on the road. I guess that shouldn't be unexpected; I'm using my Dinan M5 as a daily driver.

While all the rubber parts fail, and antique status sets in, the engine still pulls so strong... I look forward to my 5 mile drive every morning. It actually motivates me to get up.

But this little thing, this frozen lock, almost pushed me to consider trading in my beloved M5 and getting a new 135i or a Certified 3 (it's roughly what I can really afford). I actually thought about it! WTF?

I drove an E36 M3 once; it felt like a heavy skateboard somewhere underneath me. It was nothing... nothing like my old E34. None of the visceral connection to the car. None of the "cockpit of this craft" type of feel. I dunno what the 135i is like (I plan to take a test drive, just to make sure), but I'm doubtful that a lessened frequency of maintenance, and a few grand a year, will make up for that connection.

And, yes, I am digging a nice fifth of Makers Mark. I'm not too proud to admit it.

-enjoy

tutash

davidoli · 7th February 2009, 11:20

Great stuff Tutash .

I recently bought my wife a 318i Touring , 2003 production , with the N42 engine ........the car periodically refused to start , but cranked over without firing ......

A new battery was fitted , then camshaft position sensors ( both inlet and exhaust ) before the issue was finally rectified by fitting a new crank position sensor ( an absolute PIA on her car as it's underneath all of the inlet manifold , right at the back of the block by the starter motor ) .....

Throughout this stressful time of the car not starting outside my son's school and in petrol stations etc , my wife wanted rid ......

Now she loves the car !

Keep the faith Tutash , all cars have issues !

D