BMW Popping Tailgate (5 Series estate)

[Rob R]

I'm in shock having just returned from a main dealer to have failed central locking and a split tailgate that intermittently open involuntarily including when the vehicle is in motion (therefore affecting safety) - the proposed charge for remedial action? £2366.83

The service guy admitted it was a fairly regular fault but said that with the age (09 plate) and mileage of the vehicle (as if mileage has anything to do with it); these things happen. I regard it as a manufacturing defect from BMW and a substantial safety concern.

A brief search on Google illustrates I am not alone with this fault however a sense of frequency and recommended solutions from members will be much appreciated please.

[drmark]

Tailgate glass opening can be frayed loom but normally broken microswitch under wiper. Just remove the switch and that should fix that. You can put a new one in if you want to use the split bit but if the loom is at fault then it will start happening again.
Can't help with the central locking.

[helix402]

That price sounds like a new tailgate wiring loom, find a good electrician or specialist and get it repaired.

[Rob R]

thank you - dealership did not propose this is as a solution. Not yet clear to me if they'll have considered your recommendation and then dismissed it citing wiring (three days/£1700 plus VAT labour supposedly!) as the fault but it's certainly worth an ask!

[ss1977]

I had a very similar problem on my E61 last month with the tailgate popping open at random (57 plate). Replaced the tailgate glass microswitch, as drmark has mentioned (the part cost £45 from bmminiparts and a straightforward 10-15 minute DIY job) and it appears to have solved the problem. Might be worth a try?

[gaz1234]

Stealers fk me

[clockworks]

I had the same problem with the tailgate window on my E61 popping open 18 months ago. New microswitch (complete lifting handle assembly) fixed it. Very easy DIY job.

[scz4]

clockworks said:

I had the same problem with the tailgate window on my E61 popping open 18 months ago. New microswitch (complete lifting handle assembly) fixed it. Very easy DIY job.

Yeap, had that problem on my E61 too. £25 for the part at the time, job done.

[Sardonicus]

drmark said:

Tailgate glass opening can be frayed loom but normally broken microswitch under wiper. Just remove the switch and that should fix that. You can put a new one in if you want to use the split bit but if the loom is at fault then it will start happening again.
Can't help with the central locking.

This ^ done one recently chaffed loom fiddly but do-able ............ but I would be checking the micro switch 1st I have had water ingress problems with these (short circuiting) from Fords to Renaults and it gives the random opening fault in fact the last one I did was a 61 plate Ford

Edited by Sardonicus on Friday 6th March 10:40

[outnumbered]

Even if it's not the microswitch, you'll probably find an Indie who will repair the loom. We had some similar tailgate faults fixed for a couple of hundred quid.

Actually, since I see you're in Berkshire, you could try Grosvenor http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/ who did ours.

[hornetrider]

Hmmm. Tailgate microswitch as said for the tailgate. Failed CL could be the diversity aerial which is around £250 all in.

3k! fk me.

[Timbo_S2]

Mine had a new rear wiring loom under warrenty for the tailgate (and also parking sensors).

[northpolar]

Timbo

I think your example is typical of the dealer/ manufacturer relationship. It's a nice little earner and bullet proof to replace wiring looms rather than attempt repair. From the dealer's perspective, job done, happy customer and happy accounts department as the dealer will recover all costs from BMW HQ. The hourly rate they charge in itself makes investigative works cost prohibitive and a cause of customer friction, to say the least.

Peter

[Rob R]

Thank you all for your comments and help.

I emailed the dealership to complain Thursday night - I am still waiting for a response.

I then forwarded my complaint to the dealership to BMW UK on Thursday night. Received a response on Friday early afternoon; saying that Customer Service will be in touch within two working days - guess what? Nothing back from them either!

Your input gives me some clear direction as to what to say to BMW when and if they do bother to contact me. The CL has since started working again albeit rather haphazardly.

My experience at present is that the dealership charged me £50 last week to wash the car and then propose I pay 25% of the value of the car to rectify a design / manufacturing defect of the vehicle!