What's wrong with the trunk???

EvanF · 01-23-2019, 07:04 PM

Had my 2019 3.0 X3 for three weeks. Love everything about it, yet the trunk is really starting to frustrate me. Seven times in the past three weeks, I returned to my car to see the trunk has opened. The car is otherwise locked.

Is this a fob issue (I already have a cover on mine) or is something else going on with the X3?

arciga18 · 01-23-2019, 07:16 PM

Sensitive Fob issue.

Some people have added a cover

ghostdog1108 · 01-23-2019, 07:27 PM

I added the BMW thick fob cover because of the issue. Bulky fob but no more issues over the last 4 months......,

rem40i · 01-23-2019, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvanF

Had my 2019 3.0 X3 for three weeks. Love everything about it, yet the trunk is really starting to frustrate me. Seven times in the past three weeks, I returned to my car to see the trunk has opened. The car is otherwise locked.

Is this a fob issue (I already have a cover on mine) or is something else going on with the X3?

How thick is the cover?

HollyM · 01-23-2019, 07:44 PM

Members,

I, too, have had a strange occurrence twice now with the tailgate opening on its own. Both times, it was the same exact scenario: just hand-washed at home in my driveway, dried and pulled into the garage. The vehicle is now not locked, and the key fob is lying 10 feet away on a shelf in the garage. All of a sudden, while trying to dry the ever-present water drips, the tailgate starts opening and closing, multiple times, with accompanied incessant beeping. I am standing near the right rear quarter fender, 4 feet away, watching this in horror. Sometimes, the tailgate would come down 1/3 of the way, or 1/2 way, stop, then rise again to full open position. Then all is quiet, and it starts again.

Yes, my key is in the fob. No one else was home. The key fob was motionless far away.

Any ideas? Thank goodness the tailgate does not connect with the fully-opened garage door overhead when this melarchy ensues....

Fenders · 01-23-2019, 07:55 PM

Dealers can re-code your car for free to require an unlock before the tailgate button will function, if adding a fob cover would be unwieldy for you. There’s a known service bulletin on this.

m235hou · 01-23-2019, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollyM

Members,

I, too, have had a strange occurrence twice now with the tailgate opening on its own. Both times, it was the same exact scenario: just hand-washed at home in my driveway, dried and pulled into the garage. The vehicle is now not locked, and the key fob is lying 10 feet away on a shelf in the garage. All of a sudden, while trying to dry the ever-present water drips, the tailgate starts opening and closing, multiple times, with accompanied incessant beeping. I am standing near the right rear quarter fender, 4 feet away, watching this in horror. Sometimes, the tailgate would come down 1/3 of the way, or 1/2 way, stop, then rise again to full open position. Then all is quiet, and it starts again.

Yes, my key is in the fob. No one else was home. The key fob was motionless far away.

Any ideas? Thank goodness the tailgate does not connect with the fully-opened garage door overhead when this melarchy ensues....

Probably triggered the kick open sensor on the bottom as you were drying it

sor · 01-23-2019, 08:56 PM

I almost feel like this needs to be a sticky since it is so common.

If the trunk is opening it's likely one of two things: inadvertent button pressing or the fob or inadvertent triggering of the kick sensor.

HollyM · 01-23-2019, 11:06 PM

But it was neither; the key fob was motionless, lying on a shelf far away and I was standing at least four feet away from the vehicle, in line with the right rear passenger door or rear fender. It was the most bizarre thing. Over and over it opened and closed, about ten times, while I just stood there watching it in utter disbelief.

darrylo · 01-23-2019, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rem40i

How thick is the cover?

Fob + cover is about one inch thick. I kid you not. It's padded, though, and compresses ever so slightly. Still, note that you can still hit the hatch open button through the thick cover, if you press hard in just the right place.

Of course, the thickness is no problem for those of us with dad pants, but it's an issue for the younger crowd.

darrylo · 01-23-2019, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollyM

The vehicle is now not locked, and the key fob is lying 10 feet away on a shelf in the garage.

You might have an electrical problem, but try moving the fob farther away. Mine is around 20-25' away, and I haven't had any problems.

(... well, once I move the fob away. I always forget, and am reminded when the locks go lock/unlock/lock/unlock/... while I'm hosing down the car.)

bob330i · 01-23-2019, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrylo

(... well, once I move the fob away. I always forget, and am reminded when the locks go lock/unlock/lock/unlock/... while I'm hosing down the car.)

That's not only on the X3, that happens when I forget and keep the fob in my pocket when I'm washing/drying my F80. Only can take a few cycles then I have to put the fob in the house.

MechX3M40i · 01-24-2019, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sor

I almost feel like this needs to be a sticky since it is so common.

If the trunk is opening it's likely one of two things: inadvertent button pressing or the fob or inadvertent triggering of the kick sensor.

I would add a third possibility - electronic gremlins that's either temporarily random (came and then went away for good), or persistent (malfunctioning parts), based on feedback from a few fellow members such as HollyM. I would suggest a trip back to dealership if a good key fob case does not solve the issue.

supersebbo · 01-24-2019, 06:42 AM

I have just booked my X3 into the dealership on Tuesday to have the mod coded so it only opens after being unlocked. The lady who booked it in knew the exact issue and resolution - they must get it a lot.

I think it's worth the peace of mind for the slight loss of convenience.

MediaMan · 01-24-2019, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersebbo

I have just booked my X3 into the dealership on Tuesday to have the mod coded so it only opens after being unlocked. The lady who booked it in knew the exact issue and resolution - they must get it a lot.

I think it's worth the peace of mind for the slight loss of convenience.

Can I ask which dealer?

I had difficulty at my local service reception trying to explain the 'mod' to deactivate the key fob after 2 mins of inactivity to thwart the signal grabbers. (Was sent to parts dept, explained again, but the guy went away, spoke to master tech, and came back with a reply).

As mine will go in for the modified key fobs, I will ask for the boot (trunk) recoding then as it is an annoying problem and my big fear is of it happening in a multi-storey car park with a low roof - and that could be expensive.

supersebbo · 01-24-2019, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MediaMan

Can I ask which dealer?

I had difficulty at my local service reception trying to explain the 'mod' to deactivate the key fob after 2 mins of inactivity to thwart the signal grabbers. (Was sent to parts dept, explained again, but the guy went away, spoke to master tech, and came back with a reply).

As mine will go in for the modified key fobs, I will ask for the boot (trunk) recoding then as it is an annoying problem and my big fear is of it happening in a multi-storey car park with a low roof - and that could be expensive.

It was with Cotswold in Cheltenham. In honesty, I mis-represented her knowledge slightly, I explained the issue to her and she said it was common and suggested I get a fob cover, then I said I had heard about the coding option and she put me on hold to talk to her service manager who confirmed it was possible. Then it was booked in.

retiredsailer · 01-24-2019, 07:40 AM

Had the same problem when keeping the key in a trouser pocket. BMW cover, expensive, solved the problem for me.

KAP8 · 01-24-2019, 07:45 AM

The Fob is very sensitive. Our M40i rarely leaves the garage so I took the Fob off of my key chain a leave it on my dresser.

sor · 01-24-2019, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

Quote:

Originally Posted by sor

I almost feel like this needs to be a sticky since it is so common.

If the trunk is opening it's likely one of two things: inadvertent button pressing or the fob or inadvertent triggering of the kick sensor.

I would add a third possibility - electronic gremlins that's either temporarily random (came and then went away for good), or persistent (malfunctioning parts), based on feedback from a few fellow members such as HollyM. I would suggest a trip back to dealership if a good key fob case does not solve the issue.

Yeah, while that's a possibility I sure hope dozens of people aren't experiencing random vehicle malfunctions, like they are the other two possibilities.

SteveX3M40i · 01-24-2019, 10:15 AM

Hi,
There are often problems with the boot wiring harnesses and the connectors that attach this harness to the body of the car.
The harness needs to be flexible where it enters the car - normally at top edge of the boot.
This can allow water ingress into the connector and on a motorised boot - water shorting certain wires could easily cause the boot to randomly open or shut.
The harness could also be faulty from the factory with a random fault showing up after the harness has been flexed when the boot has been opened and shut.
We just sold our Mercedes ML63 and we had this car from new in 2015 and covered 108,000km.
On a weekly basis the rear camera would stop working randomly and the dealer could never properly fix it despite numerous visits.
In the end, we just gave up letting them try to find the fault!
Cheers
Steve

Lux700 · 01-24-2019, 10:40 AM

You don't want the tailgate opening when you're not around, especially if you have anything in the car worth taking - not reassuring, at all!

Rhidium · 01-24-2019, 10:28 PM

One time at home I pulled something out of the trunk. I closed/locked it and went in the house. Came out and found it partially open. Note that if I use the FOB it would do a full open, not a partial open. I then proceeded to close the trunk again.. but stood there. I found it opened again due to it hitting the cargo mat accessory. Upon obstruction it does a partial open. I push the mat more and it finally closed.

01-23-2019, 07:04 PM	#1
EvanF New Member 4 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Texas, USA iTrader: (0)	What's wrong with the trunk??? Had my 2019 3.0 X3 for three weeks. Love everything about it, yet the trunk is really starting to frustrate me. Seven times in the past three weeks, I returned to my car to see the trunk has opened. The car is otherwise locked. Is this a fob issue (I already have a cover on mine) or is something else going on with the X3?
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01-23-2019, 07:16 PM	#2
arciga18 Brigadier General 1729 Rep 3,654 Posts Drives: LeMans/ Chestnut E90, RWD Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	Sensitive Fob issue. Some people have added a cover
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01-23-2019, 07:27 PM	#3
ghostdog1108 Private 53 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2023 X4 M40i CARBON BLACK Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Altoona, WI iTrader: (0)	I added the BMW thick fob cover because of the issue. Bulky fob but no more issues over the last 4 months......, __________________ 2023 X4 M40i CARBON BLACK Last edited by ghostdog1108; 01-26-2019 at 08:21 PM..
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01-23-2019, 07:44 PM	#5
HollyM Private First Class 100 Rep 173 Posts Drives: X3 M40i - on order! Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Bath OH iTrader: (0)	Members, I, too, have had a strange occurrence twice now with the tailgate opening on its own. Both times, it was the same exact scenario: just hand-washed at home in my driveway, dried and pulled into the garage. The vehicle is now not locked, and the key fob is lying 10 feet away on a shelf in the garage. All of a sudden, while trying to dry the ever-present water drips, the tailgate starts opening and closing, multiple times, with accompanied incessant beeping. I am standing near the right rear quarter fender, 4 feet away, watching this in horror. Sometimes, the tailgate would come down 1/3 of the way, or 1/2 way, stop, then rise again to full open position. Then all is quiet, and it starts again. Yes, my key is in the fob. No one else was home. The key fob was motionless far away. Any ideas? Thank goodness the tailgate does not connect with the fully-opened garage door overhead when this melarchy ensues....
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01-23-2019, 07:55 PM	#6
Fenders Private First Class 66 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Boston MA iTrader: (0)	Dealers can re-code your car for free to require an unlock before the tailgate button will function, if adding a fob cover would be unwieldy for you. There’s a known service bulletin on this.
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01-23-2019, 08:56 PM	#8
sor Brigadier General 3108 Rep 3,073 Posts Drives: 2023 iX M60 Oxide Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW iX M60 [0.00]	I almost feel like this needs to be a sticky since it is so common. If the trunk is opening it's likely one of two things: inadvertent button pressing or the fob or inadvertent triggering of the kick sensor.
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01-23-2019, 11:06 PM	#9
HollyM Private First Class 100 Rep 173 Posts Drives: X3 M40i - on order! Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Bath OH iTrader: (0)	But it was neither; the key fob was motionless, lying on a shelf far away and I was standing at least four feet away from the vehicle, in line with the right rear passenger door or rear fender. It was the most bizarre thing. Over and over it opened and closed, about ten times, while I just stood there watching it in utter disbelief.
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01-24-2019, 06:42 AM	#14
supersebbo First Lieutenant 234 Rep 366 Posts Drives: iX3 Premier Pro (Dec 21) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I have just booked my X3 into the dealership on Tuesday to have the mod coded so it only opens after being unlocked. The lady who booked it in knew the exact issue and resolution - they must get it a lot. I think it's worth the peace of mind for the slight loss of convenience.
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01-24-2019, 07:40 AM	#17
retiredsailer New Member 10 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M30d Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Had the same problem when keeping the key in a trouser pocket. BMW cover, expensive, solved the problem for me.
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01-24-2019, 07:45 AM	#18
KAP8 Lieutenant 218 Rep 409 Posts Drives: F32 435i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	The Fob is very sensitive. Our M40i rarely leaves the garage so I took the Fob off of my key chain a leave it on my dresser.
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01-24-2019, 10:15 AM	#20
SteveX3M40i First Lieutenant 544 Rep 382 Posts Drives: BMW iX40MSport Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Sunny Abu Dhabi iTrader: (0)	Hi, There are often problems with the boot wiring harnesses and the connectors that attach this harness to the body of the car. The harness needs to be flexible where it enters the car - normally at top edge of the boot. This can allow water ingress into the connector and on a motorised boot - water shorting certain wires could easily cause the boot to randomly open or shut. The harness could also be faulty from the factory with a random fault showing up after the harness has been flexed when the boot has been opened and shut. We just sold our Mercedes ML63 and we had this car from new in 2015 and covered 108,000km. On a weekly basis the rear camera would stop working randomly and the dealer could never properly fix it despite numerous visits. In the end, we just gave up letting them try to find the fault! Cheers Steve
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01-24-2019, 10:40 AM	#21
Lux700 Captain 551 Rep 980 Posts Drives: X3 M40d - Black Sapphire Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: The forest of Epping iTrader: (0)	You don't want the tailgate opening when you're not around, especially if you have anything in the car worth taking - not reassuring, at all!
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01-24-2019, 10:28 PM	#22
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	One time at home I pulled something out of the trunk. I closed/locked it and went in the house. Came out and found it partially open. Note that if I use the FOB it would do a full open, not a partial open. I then proceeded to close the trunk again.. but stood there. I found it opened again due to it hitting the cargo mat accessory. Upon obstruction it does a partial open. I push the mat more and it finally closed.
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