[cipher5]

I have a 2011 535i and my trunk won't open out of the blue. I get into my car and pushed the button by the front door, no dice. I tried my key fob, no dice as well. I checked the valet switch in the arm rest, it's sent to unlock. I toggled it on and off just to make sure.

When I push the keyfob or the button near the front door, I don't hear the electronics for the lock engage. Any thoughts? Is there a fuse I should check?

I don't have comfort access or the power close trunk.

[wcr3d]

Things to check or try. This was an issue for the e60 but I bet it hasn't changed, the wiring went through the mounting hinge and would crack and short. When unlocked does the manual trigger by the plate work? If not I would say its the locking mechanism.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by cipher5

I have a 2011 535i and my trunk won't open out of the blue. I get into my car and pushed the button by the front door, no dice. I tried my key fob, no dice as well. I checked the valet switch in the arm rest, it's sent to unlock. I toggled it on and off just to make sure.

When I push the keyfob or the button near the front door, I don't hear the electronics for the lock engage. Any thoughts? Is there a fuse I should check?

I don't have comfort access or the power close trunk.

Do you have the battery discharge warning?? That will disable the comfort access.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Do you have the battery discharge warning?? That will disable the comfort access.

He says that he doesn't have CA or Power Trunk which makes this a bit interesting.

[cipher5]

Very odd. I ended up using a rod through the pass through to engage the lever to bring the seat down. Once the seats were down, I used the manual pull inside the trunk to open it. Once the trunk was open, I pressed my keyfob, the trunk release button near the driver's side door and on the trunk itself and this time the lock made an audible sound. It must have been jammed or had a random hiccup where the lock didn't engage. Either way, I closed the trunk and tried all 3 methods, they seemed to work this time. Glad it was nothing!

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by cipher5

Very odd. I ended up using a rod through the pass through to engage the lever to bring the seat down. Once the seats were down, I used the manual pull inside the trunk to open it. Once the trunk was open, I pressed my keyfob, the trunk release button near the driver's side door and on the trunk itself and this time the lock made an audible sound. It must have been jammed or had a random hiccup where the lock didn't engage. Either way, I closed the trunk and tried all 3 methods, they seemed to work this time. Glad it was nothing!

Don't forget so spray some WD40 on locking mechanism

[cipher5]

It stopped working again! So frustrating. I will put some WD40, maybe it's a lubricant issue but I hope it isn't something else, I have friends to pick up at the airport on Thursday!

[cipher5]

I wonder if a faulty trunk release switch could be causing it

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by cipher5

It stopped working again! So frustrating. I will put some WD40, maybe it's a lubricant issue but I hope it isn't something else, I have friends to pick up at the airport on Thursday!

WD40 isn't a lubricant. WD40 stands for WaterDisplacement40th formula.

I once had a door actuator do the same thing. I shot some white lithium spray on the latch and it stated working again; for years! I would try shooting some white lithium grease on the latching mechanism.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by cipher5

It stopped working again! So frustrating. I will put some WD40, maybe it's a lubricant issue but I hope it isn't something else, I have friends to pick up at the airport on Thursday!

wd40 wont do anything, find some sort of lubricant and spray it onto the mechanism after unlocking the trunk from inside.

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

WD40 isn't a lubricant. WD40 stands for WaterDisplacement40th formula.

I once had a door actuator do the same thing. I shot some white lithium spray on the latch and it stated working again; for years! I would try shooting some white lithium grease on the latching mechanism.

WS40 is in fact form of lubricant Not saying its best lubricant or its appropriate lubricant but it works just fine for quick fix.
Yes you could get some lithium grease it will last longer potentially life time.

[cipher5]

Cleaned it out with WD40... I'll go to home depot and get some lithium grease and hopefully that fixes it for good.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5

WS40 is in fact form of lubricant Not saying its best lubricant or its appropriate lubricant but it works just fine for quick fix.
Yes you could get some lithium grease it will last longer potentially life time.

From the WD40 website:

Myth: WD-40® Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant.

Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40® stands for Water Displacement, WD-40® Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product’s formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.

Learn something new every day!! Hopefully...

[cipher5]

I'll add another twist to the WD40 saga.

WD40 as a brand makes White Lithium Spray, so WD40 (the right variant) is a lubricant!




I have generously sprayed it on the locking mechanism and latch. Let's hope this solves things.

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by cipher5

I'll add another twist to the WD40 saga.

WD40 as a brand makes White Lithium Spray, so WD40 (the right variant) is a lubricant!




I have generously sprayed it on the locking mechanism and latch. Let's hope this solves things.

oooOO snap He told us nice work

[cipher5]

Well the trunk lasted 2 weeks and now it won't open again. So aggravating.

[andy_sk]

cipher5 Are you still having this issue? I just started to have this on Friday. I have the comfort access though.

It works randomly, and the open from key fob just does not work.

[cipher5]

Originally Posted by andy_sk

cipher5 Are you still having this issue? I just started to have this on Friday. I have the comfort access though.

It works randomly, and the open from key fob just does not work.

It has happened once again, but not much lately as I haven't been using the trunk all that much. I think if I used it more I would have that issue possibly. I will report back if I have more issues. It's the oddest thing.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by wcr3d

Things to check or try. This was an issue for the e60 but I bet it hasn't changed, the wiring went through the mounting hinge and would crack and short. When unlocked does the manual trigger by the plate work? If not I would say its the locking mechanism.

This was an E39 thing as well.

[J.J.]

So BMW can't make a reliabe V8 nor reliable trunk actuator.

As an aside, my 2016 trunk only opens half way about 95% of the time. No rhyme or reason as to why it completely opens 5% of the time.