Trunk lid unlocking by itself

moldcad · 10-05-2015, 06:32 AM

It was happening to me since day one, but it was so rare I thought I must have inadvertently push my fob, or even lid opening button (which -as it tunes out - I even haven't got in my car). Anyway, sometimes when maneuvering, I saw this "picture" on the monitor as if something was covering my rear view camera; I already know it happens when the tailgate is not locked properly. and one engages Reverse... Today it happened again - only this time I'm sure I didn't push the fob button; I heard this mechanical noise of lock release so I checked the trunk, and... of course, it wasn't locked!

A couple of questions to you guys before I start my nerve-wrecking encounters with the service people:

- does anything like this happened to anyone here?
- did you or did you not have any warning on the dash (like the one when the doors is not locked, or the bonnet)?

TIA

PS. I must have been very lucky it never happened when I was braking heavily!

sstarrx3 · 10-05-2015, 08:51 AM

Are you hitting the trunk release with your leg when you are getting in to the car? I am not tall 6'0, but I hit my legs on the lower dash all the time getting into the car.

JP Medina · 10-05-2015, 11:11 AM

It has not happened to me but it definitely has a warning light on the dash when open.

moldcad · 10-05-2015, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Are you hitting the trunk release with your leg when you are getting in to the car? I am not tall 6'0, but I hit my legs on the lower dash all the time getting into the car.

I don't, as my car doesn't have this button (this was the reason I did a research on this forum recently on whether all M235i have the cabin lid-release button - the outcome being not all of them, depending on the market).

moldcad · 10-05-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP Medina

It has not happened to me but it definitely has a warning light on the dash when open.

Thanks, as this was the next question I was gonna ask. So it looks something is definitely wrong with my car - the only way to know the lid is not locked is to switch to Reverse, and observe the rear view camera

scottyn · 10-05-2015, 11:51 AM

Do you mean unlocked or open? Because it sounds like you're describing it being open, which is a different thing. Either way the answer is no, this has never happened to me.

But I can imagine 3 reasons for this:
1) you're accidentally hitting a button in the footwell or keyfob (sounds like you've ruled this out already)
2) the trunk lid wasn't closed completely the last time you had it open
3) it's broken, probably an electrical problem with the trunk release or central locking

moldcad · 10-05-2015, 12:27 PM

I thought it was clear enough that I meant it was"unlocked", not "open" - but perhaps my poor English made you misunderstand. Anyway, was it open I would have known about it - while I explicitly stated that with no warning on the dashboard, the only way to lern whether it was unlocked or not was put the car in Reverse, and look at the Reversing Camera screen

moldcad · 10-05-2015, 12:56 PM

Is everyone positive that with the trunk unlocked (i.e. can be open by just elevating it - without pressing on the "handle" under the edge), there is a warning icon lit on the dashboard just like the one for unlocked door, engine compartment etc.?

Supernaut · 10-05-2015, 08:31 PM

I've twice had the trunk show as open when I didn't intentionally open it. Once I was carrying stuff and I'm sure the fob was accidentally pressed. The other time, I'm not so sure. I wish it could be set for a distinct double press or that the trunk button was recessed some.
I get an initial chime with a trunk open notice, then a warning triangle on the dash display (I don't have nav).

bacampbe · 10-05-2015, 11:55 PM

This has happened to me several times. Just like the OP, I wondered if I had been accidentally pushing the fob button, but I don't think I am.

I do not get a dashboard indication if it is unlatched but closed. I usually notice it when either the reverse camera won't work, or the convertible top refuses to move.

moldcad · 10-06-2015, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supernaut

I get an initial chime with a trunk open notice, then a warning triangle on the dash display (I don't have nav).

Wow - a chime, not just a warning light! You're lucky - your 2-er is equipped like a premium car should (I used to have a button, a chine and warning light in my F10)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacampbe

I do not get a dashboard indication if it is unlatched but closed. I usually notice it when either the reverse camera won't work, or the convertible top refuses to move.

So you're in exactly the same position as I am. BMW is whoring, gentlemen - wonder how much they saved on depriving some vehicles from the little button and a proper warning/info system

bacampbe · 10-06-2015, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moldcad

So you're in exactly the same position as I am. BMW is whoring, gentlemen - wonder how much they saved on depriving some vehicles from the little button and a proper warning/info system

I do have the button, though. I'm pretty sure I'm not hitting it--there was no click or anything when I got in.

angelbones · 10-06-2015, 09:31 PM

I have the same issue. I also had the same issue with my previous car. On my previous car, I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything causing it, even though there were TSB regarding the issue. After intermittent opening of the trunk over the couple years of ownership of that vehicle, I was glad to get my BMW. Then it kept happening with my new Bimmer.

Moral to the story: sometimes the simplest answer is the answer. I've surmised that it must be me. I often wear jeans, but sometimes slacks. Although I don't know I'm doing it, there is no other explanation. The button is either being pushed against the jeans, or I am accidentally hitting the button with my hand/wheel/door. Who knows. Regardless, I gave up blaming the car and accepted that it's just me.

krhodes1 · 10-06-2015, 10:43 PM

Once in a while, if I have the key fob in my right pocket I hit the hatch open button on the handbrake in my 328i. I have no doubt I will manage to do the same on my M235i.

Nahlem · 10-07-2015, 03:21 AM

This was brought up like a year ago i think by another user who had the same issue and he even taped it showing as open, In his case he got the sensors replaced and other electrical stuff.

I also had this issue during the winter times the sensors flipped for some reason i don't know why and every morning for 2-3 weeks it showed like open all the time. So i talked to my dealer and a replacement sensors came, Haven't had the issue ever sens but i am not planning och driving it this winter due to the cleaning the car is horrible during winter time.

10-05-2015, 06:32 AM	#1
moldcad Major 262 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Trunk lid unlocking by itself It was happening to me since day one, but it was so rare I thought I must have inadvertently push my fob, or even lid opening button (which -as it tunes out - I even haven't got in my car). Anyway, sometimes when maneuvering, I saw this "picture" on the monitor as if something was covering my rear view camera; I already know it happens when the tailgate is not locked properly. and one engages Reverse... Today it happened again - only this time I'm sure I didn't push the fob button; I heard this mechanical noise of lock release so I checked the trunk, and... of course, it wasn't locked! A couple of questions to you guys before I start my nerve-wrecking encounters with the service people: - does anything like this happened to anyone here? - did you or did you not have any warning on the dash (like the one when the doors is not locked, or the bonnet)? TIA PS. I must have been very lucky it never happened when I was braking heavily! __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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10-05-2015, 08:51 AM	#2
sstarrx3 Captain 106 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 2014 228i Mineral White/Terra Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Concord, NC iTrader: (0)	Are you hitting the trunk release with your leg when you are getting in to the car? I am not tall 6'0, but I hit my legs on the lower dash all the time getting into the car.
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10-05-2015, 11:11 AM	#3
JP Medina Private First Class 44 Rep 119 Posts Drives: M235 Auto AW/Red H/K Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Merida Mexico iTrader: (0)	It has not happened to me but it definitely has a warning light on the dash when open.
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10-05-2015, 11:51 AM	#6
scottyn Private First Class 35 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 228i M-sport THP Join Date: May 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Do you mean unlocked or open? Because it sounds like you're describing it being open, which is a different thing. Either way the answer is no, this has never happened to me. But I can imagine 3 reasons for this: 1) you're accidentally hitting a button in the footwell or keyfob (sounds like you've ruled this out already) 2) the trunk lid wasn't closed completely the last time you had it open 3) it's broken, probably an electrical problem with the trunk release or central locking
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10-05-2015, 12:27 PM	#7
moldcad Major 262 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	I thought it was clear enough that I meant it was"unlocked", not "open" - but perhaps my poor English made you misunderstand. Anyway, was it open I would have known about it - while I explicitly stated that with no warning on the dashboard, the only way to lern whether it was unlocked or not was put the car in Reverse, and look at the Reversing Camera screen __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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10-05-2015, 12:56 PM	#8
moldcad Major 262 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Is everyone positive that with the trunk unlocked (i.e. can be open by just elevating it - without pressing on the "handle" under the edge), there is a warning icon lit on the dashboard just like the one for unlocked door, engine compartment etc.? __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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10-05-2015, 08:31 PM	#9
Supernaut Little Deuce Coupe 391 Rep 635 Posts Drives: SO M2C Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 competi ... [0.00]	I've twice had the trunk show as open when I didn't intentionally open it. Once I was carrying stuff and I'm sure the fob was accidentally pressed. The other time, I'm not so sure. I wish it could be set for a distinct double press or that the trunk button was recessed some. I get an initial chime with a trunk open notice, then a warning triangle on the dash display (I don't have nav). __________________ ex: 2004 Thermonuclear Yellow RX-8\|6MT ex: 2015 Estoril Blue M235i \|6MT\|slicktop\|MP exhaust - PCD 2020 Sunset Orange M2C\|6MT\|Black 788s
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10-05-2015, 11:55 PM	#10
bacampbe Lieutenant 348 Rep 530 Posts Drives: 2024 Z4 M40i PB Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	This has happened to me several times. Just like the OP, I wondered if I had been accidentally pushing the fob button, but I don't think I am. I do not get a dashboard indication if it is unlatched but closed. I usually notice it when either the reverse camera won't work, or the convertible top refuses to move.
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10-06-2015, 09:31 PM	#13
angelbones Private First Class 43 Rep 193 Posts Drives: V.O. 228i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I have the same issue. I also had the same issue with my previous car. On my previous car, I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything causing it, even though there were TSB regarding the issue. After intermittent opening of the trunk over the couple years of ownership of that vehicle, I was glad to get my BMW. Then it kept happening with my new Bimmer. Moral to the story: sometimes the simplest answer is the answer. I've surmised that it must be me. I often wear jeans, but sometimes slacks. Although I don't know I'm doing it, there is no other explanation. The button is either being pushed against the jeans, or I am accidentally hitting the button with my hand/wheel/door. Who knows. Regardless, I gave up blaming the car and accepted that it's just me.
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10-06-2015, 10:43 PM	#14
krhodes1 Colonel 1436 Rep 2,526 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Wagon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i Touring [10.00]	Once in a while, if I have the key fob in my right pocket I hit the hatch open button on the handbrake in my 328i. I have no doubt I will manage to do the same on my M235i. __________________ '11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
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10-07-2015, 03:21 AM	#15
Nahlem Captain 1144 Rep 892 Posts Drives: None atm Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW i4 m50 [10.00]	This was brought up like a year ago i think by another user who had the same issue and he even taped it showing as open, In his case he got the sensors replaced and other electrical stuff. I also had this issue during the winter times the sensors flipped for some reason i don't know why and every morning for 2-3 weeks it showed like open all the time. So i talked to my dealer and a replacement sensors came, Haven't had the issue ever sens but i am not planning och driving it this winter due to the cleaning the car is horrible during winter time.
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