Tailgate wiring harness replacement??
12-09-2014, 03:40 AM
#301
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Hi again
Just spent the morning reading through the full thread. Plenty of good advise as to the best way to go about the repair.
Wondering if anyone has used these Auto Marine Heat Shrink Solder Butt Connectors | Demon Tweeks when carrying out a DIY job. I see the kit from Germany comes with something similar, but could probably do it much cheaper using these and some good quality silicone wire. Plus the fact that my soldering skills aren't the best, and it would be much easier to work with these in the back of the car.
And does anyone know the AWG ratings of the different wires?
Many thanks.
Just spent the morning reading through the full thread. Plenty of good advise as to the best way to go about the repair.
Wondering if anyone has used these Auto Marine Heat Shrink Solder Butt Connectors | Demon Tweeks when carrying out a DIY job. I see the kit from Germany comes with something similar, but could probably do it much cheaper using these and some good quality silicone wire. Plus the fact that my soldering skills aren't the best, and it would be much easier to work with these in the back of the car.
And does anyone know the AWG ratings of the different wires?
Many thanks.
12-09-2014, 07:47 AM
#302
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my car is currently being assessed by BMW for a warranty repair to a small bubble of rust underneath the rear window glass. This, as far as I can gather, is also another known issue with these cars. I will need to wait and see what BMW suggest the fix for this is, as if they want to give me a new boot lid then that will obviously affect when I can carry out any wiring repairs.
12-09-2014, 12:13 PM
#303
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I did a quick Google 'E61 tailgate rust' and I got quite a few hits from people with the same issue. I think it was an issue on the previous version, E39? as well. Seems the water gathers under the plastic cover which runs down the side of the boot lid. Waiting to hear how they're going to tackle it. Not sure what they do with the wiring if they are removing the boot lid to work on it.
12-11-2014, 03:53 AM
#304
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Ok I found the AWG ratings from earlier in the thread. Another question though, how many wires am I looking at on each side? And how many of the thicker ones vs thinner ones?
I'm going to open everything up and wire in new cable on every connection, but would rather only do it all at the same time instead of opening it up to see what I need to complete the job then have to open it again to carry out the repair. Hoping some of you guys have the info I need.
Thanks
I'm going to open everything up and wire in new cable on every connection, but would rather only do it all at the same time instead of opening it up to see what I need to complete the job then have to open it again to carry out the repair. Hoping some of you guys have the info I need.
Thanks
12-11-2014, 09:50 AM
#305
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I did a quick Google 'E61 tailgate rust' and I got quite a few hits from people with the same issue. I think it was an issue on the previous version, E39? as well. Seems the water gathers under the plastic cover which runs down the side of the boot lid. Waiting to hear how they're going to tackle it. Not sure what they do with the wiring if they are removing the boot lid to work on it.
):https://5series.net/forums/e61-touri...window-104771/
...people have discovered rust bubbles on their tailgate, just below the two lower corners of the glass window. What happens is the plastic panels on both sides of the glass window opening rub the metal beneath them and destroy the paint, allowing water to get to the metal and cause rust
I checked mine, and it's fine. No signs of any rubbing that will lead to issues down the road.
.
Last edited by Lotus99; 12-12-2014 at 03:31 PM.
12-20-2014, 07:23 AM
#306
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Planning on doing this fix tomorrow as I can get the loan of a garage for the day to do the job in relative comfort.
Thought I'd do a bit of prep work today after washing the car. Jeez oh, took me about an hour to get the plastic covers off round about the hinges as well as getting the speakers out! Maybe it's because I'm a bit of mechanical numpty but it definitely wasn't as easy as it looks in the guides. I'm planning on taking plenty of pictures so should be able to do a write up if the fix is successful.
Thought I'd do a bit of prep work today after washing the car. Jeez oh, took me about an hour to get the plastic covers off round about the hinges as well as getting the speakers out! Maybe it's because I'm a bit of mechanical numpty but it definitely wasn't as easy as it looks in the guides. I'm planning on taking plenty of pictures so should be able to do a write up if the fix is successful.
12-20-2014, 08:06 AM
#307
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My Ride: BMW 525dA 2007 pre-LCI.
Model Year: 2007
I'm thinking it's the previous version... I doubt the problem is considered a common one with this platform. Only hit I found was like from 4 years ago, and even though the guy says tons of people have had the problem, in all the years here, I don't recall coming across others talking of it (and I read every thread <img src="images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Big Grin" smilieid="3" class="inlineimg" />):<br />
<br />
<a href="https://5series.net/forums/e61-touring-discussion-4/rust-tailgate-just-below-glass-window-104771/" target="_blank">https://5series.net/forums/e61-touring-discussion-4/rust-tailgate-just-below-glass-window-104771/</a><br />
<br />
<i>...people have discovered rust bubbles on their tailgate, just below the two lower corners of the glass window. What happens is the plastic panels on both sides of the glass window opening rub the metal beneath them and destroy the paint, allowing water to get to the metal and cause rust</i><br />
<br />
I checked mine, and it's fine. No signs of any rubbing that will lead to issues down the road.<br />
.
<br />
<a href="https://5series.net/forums/e61-touring-discussion-4/rust-tailgate-just-below-glass-window-104771/" target="_blank">https://5series.net/forums/e61-touring-discussion-4/rust-tailgate-just-below-glass-window-104771/</a><br />
<br />
<i>...people have discovered rust bubbles on their tailgate, just below the two lower corners of the glass window. What happens is the plastic panels on both sides of the glass window opening rub the metal beneath them and destroy the paint, allowing water to get to the metal and cause rust</i><br />
<br />
I checked mine, and it's fine. No signs of any rubbing that will lead to issues down the road.<br />
.
Rust on the tailgate below the window is a common problem on the E61, problem is know by BMW. 10 years warranty on rust. <br />
I had it on mine, a BMW expert checked it to verify there was nu repair done on the tailgate (standard procedure). He acknowledged it was a common problem.<br />
Also you cannot fully check without taking away the 2 black plastic covers.
12-20-2014, 10:11 AM
#308
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As I said, in the years I've been on here, it's the first time it comes up, so either everyone here is totally unaware of it, or it's not as common a problem as you say.
Is this the covers you're talking about? Found some pics in the German forum the person above had linked. When the rust is bad though, as you can see, it's easily visible outside the cover.
.
Is this the covers you're talking about? Found some pics in the German forum the person above had linked. When the rust is bad though, as you can see, it's easily visible outside the cover.
.
12-20-2014, 10:39 AM
#309
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My Ride: BMW 525dA 2007 pre-LCI.
Model Year: 2007
As I said, in the years I've been on here, it's the first time it comes up, so either everyone here is totally unaware of it, or it's not as common a problem as you say.
Is this the covers you're talking about? Found some pics in the German forum the person above had linked. When the rust is bad though, as you can see, it's easily visible outside the cover.
.
Is this the covers you're talking about? Found some pics in the German forum the person above had linked. When the rust is bad though, as you can see, it's easily visible outside the cover.
.
Well its here that I first read about it then checked my car and saw it on mine also.
It will depend on the climate, in the more humid ones like Belgium or Germany it will happen more often then in a dryer climate. On the Belgian forum plenty reported having this problem.
This however doesn't take away that this is a weak point on these cars. For the rest these are rust free as far as I know.
12-21-2014, 08:32 AM
#310
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Always good to know what the weak points are. Thanks. I'm in a pretty wet part of Canada. So I check my sunroof drain tubes often, and have had the diversity antenna go a couple of times already.
I read I thought that someone put some felt under the plastic part, thinking that it would rub against the paint less, but then someone said if you're going to do that, make sure it's not felt so it doesn't stay wet for a long time as it dries, which makes sense. So maybe something like 3M trim tape that won't absorb water?
Are there any preventative measures you've come across to avoid rust there?
Edit: I went and checked mine under the cover, and good news, zero rust forming. Car's got 50,000 miles on it, and it is parked outside in our wet environment all year long. I also noticed that they seem to have placed the 3M trip tape under the cover, like my idea!
.
I read I thought that someone put some felt under the plastic part, thinking that it would rub against the paint less, but then someone said if you're going to do that, make sure it's not felt so it doesn't stay wet for a long time as it dries, which makes sense. So maybe something like 3M trim tape that won't absorb water?
Are there any preventative measures you've come across to avoid rust there?
Edit: I went and checked mine under the cover, and good news, zero rust forming. Car's got 50,000 miles on it, and it is parked outside in our wet environment all year long. I also noticed that they seem to have placed the 3M trip tape under the cover, like my idea!
.
Last edited by Lotus99; 12-21-2014 at 12:49 PM.