I have a 318 Touring, approx. 5 years old. Today, when driving, the tailgate glass window popped open by itself. It did this about 9 or 10 times in an hour. I tried closing it gently, banging it, opening the tailgate and closing it, but nothing seemed to stop it. I could hear the mechanism in the tailgate clicking / operating randomly by itself, so suspect something is shorting in the switch or in the mechanism within the tailgate.

Has anyone else had this problem, and does anyone have a solution?

Best regards,

Andy

I have a 318 Touring, approx. 5 years old. Today, when driving, the tailgate glass window popped open by itself. It did this about 9 or 10 times in an hour. I tried closing it gently, banging it, opening the tailgate and closing it, but nothing seemed to stop it. I could hear the mechanism in the tailgate clicking / operating randomly by itself, so suspect something is shorting in the switch or in the mechanism within the tailgate.

Has anyone else had this problem, and does anyone have a solution?

Best regards,

Andy

Andy, I have a 325xi Touring, and I often find the glass window open. I traced it to the remote on my keychain. It is very sensitive and pops the hatch glass with ease. I wonder if there's a connection (no pun intended) to your situation.

Thanks Bird 67,

Sounds interesting - how did you deal with it? - does it need something done with the remote on the key?

AndyG

Thanks Bird 67,

Sounds interesting - how did you deal with it? - does it need something done with the remote on the key?

AndyG

Andy, it has not happened to me when the car is moving unless I have the key in my pocket (ie using another key). The way I dealt with it is that I am really careful with my key when I'm near the car! But here's a thought - I wonder if it's possible that something else in your car is creating the same frequency as the remote.

Another thought is that the switch on the window itself - the one you squeeze to make it open - has aged and the contacts are flaky.

Hi again Bird 67,

We only have one remote keyfob (not good, I know!) so I don't think it can be that, however, the catch on the glass has always been very sensitive, so maybe that is the source of the problem. I think I'll try stripping it down and checking contacts etc.

Next question - has anyone done this, is it easy, are there any diagrams showing internals anywhere?

Cheers,

Andy

Andy, do you have a Bentley manual? Section 412, pages 5-10, is all about the tailgate on the sport wagon as they call it. It describes how to align the tailgate and window. It also talks about how to adjust the striker plates. It's fairly self-evident, actually, and might be worth doing.

Sorry, no Bentley or Manual!
I'll just get my screwdriver out and busk it!

Thanks again,

Andy

Hi

I have had similar problem on my e39 tourer. Problem linked to wiring going through talgate and shorting through sleave via brake circuit. Every time i braked would short out through tailgate wiring and open glass hatch.

Needed to be rewired through hinge and problem resolved.

Mike