Zemtem

Ok had another look today, while I had the speaker out I pulled down the roof lining and could see where the previous owner had spliced in his new cable? Why he did it here I have no idea, but he used very small wire prob half the size of the original. must have been a mission to get the roof lining down far enough to work there.
So anyway I re-connected his bodge and now have continuity from the number plate bulb to the lcm but no voltage going from the lcm, so I assume it's shot, prob a combination of the wire earthing in the cable guide and the small wire being used for the patch.
Gonna check eBay for another.

gman6262

I have a my 2010 E61 with 80,000 miles, manufactured in March 2009. 12 months ago my keyfobs stopped working - so I bit the bullet, bought a new diversity antenna amplifier and changed it myself. 3 weeks ago - same problem, doesn't work again. Short on time, I took it to the dealer to check it out. The Diversity antenna amp was fried again. Since I bought the last one at the dealer, and it was less than two years old, they gave me the replacement diversity antenna amp part no charge. Once it was changed, my keyfobs still didn't work. The tech at the dealer traced it to 4 broken wires at the right hinge, just under the right rear speaker. To sweeten the deal, the dealer gave me a 20% discount on the labour. It still wasn't cheap - but it goes to show the wires can start breaking after 5 years. I park my car outside in the winter - I'm sure it doesn't help opening and closing the rear glass or tailgate when it's minus 20 outside. I think I'm still going to run into problems, I think I'll order the Sencom silicone wire kits - left and right - and rewire both hinges by the end of this summer just to be safe for a while. Since the dealer had to keep my car for a few days to get the diversity antenna amp - they loaned me a brand new X1 - and it really doesn't hold a candle to the 535 touring. I'm glad to have my car back, I suppose this is just one of those things we have to live with to enjoy a great ride....

Zemtem

So finally got round to replacing the tailgate loom, glad I did as this is what I found. I must have been very lucky to only get a dodgy number plate fault.
1 down 3 to go :-(

Shooy67

Hey Gang, I recently purchased a 530D E61 2005 & have same problem where tailgate middle light/fob key not working. Very useful DIY page that helped me fix the centre light but only had the fob key working for a bit. I have bought new loom to replace old as it's been mended a few times it seems...my question is does anyone know part number of the metal hinge that the wires go through with the plastic plug that runs next to tailgate hinges?

Zemtem

Hope this helps

Shooy67

Perfect cheers Ze

jal1234

Does anyone in the US stock the Sencom cables? I checked their website, but they only seem to ship in the EU.


UPDATE: FWIW, I contacted them directly, and they can be paid via Paypal, and they will ship to the US. Unfortunately, they do not deduct VAT, even though we are not an EU country, unlike most. But at least I can get the cables.

StuBoy

I’m new to this forum, and you’ve guessed it, I have issues with the wiring in my late 2009 E61’s Tailgate … I think.
My symptoms are :-

• Virtually no Radio reception

• Remote locking via keyfobs … does not work most of the time.

• High Level Brake light only a few lights working not all.

I had remote central locking problems 4 months ago, my local BMW Specialist supposedly fixed (wiring issues), but when I got the car back the radio reception was broken. Now the remote central locking has failed again and the high level brake light is also out.
So rather than put this back into my specialist, or BMW stealer, I have ordered the full Sencom Repair Kit and am waiting it’s arrival and think I may give this fix a go myself! The full Sencom kit, including left & right looms as well as antenna cost €154 / £115 … delivered. I got a price for the new BMW Repair Looms from a UK BMW Stealer and with discount they still quoted over £236 just to supply the BMW repair wiring looms. They also wanted another £100 to provide plugs to allow connection of the harnesses.
I have now spent several hours reading up on the wiring loom repair on several forums, but this forums looks to have the best and most detailed info. My only concerns with tackling it myself are :-
Spring loaded glass hinge.

• Do the bolts on the glass hinge have to be removed to get the plate off, to allow removal of inner guide, or can the guide be removed with hinge bolts in place ?

• If you do need to remove the bolts of the glass hinge, is it best done when the glass window is in the fully open position and does this mean the hinges are not under tension and therefore safe to remove ?

Multiple same size and coloured wires in looms

• I appears that in some if not all 4 x looms, there are several same size, commonly coloured wires, for example I think 3 or 4 same size brown wires in one loom. How is this dealt with, and should time be spent tracing and marking these wires to ensure there is no mix up on reconnection.

Radio Coax Repair

• Not sure I fully understood mitchgixer6’s note on replacing the coax. Maybe all will become clear when the Sencom kit arrives, but any pointers appreciated.

Other than if anyone wishes to comment on the above, can this DIY repair be undertaken by most ?
Also in the UK, has anyone successfully got BMW to fully pay for this repair ? Surely under the UK Sale of Goods act, this is not suitable for its purpose. A non-serviceable component should not fail after 4, 5 or 6 years. It’s so widespread BMW even make a repair kit … admitting to the problem !

Stu

mitchgixer6

Hi Stu

Yes you need to have the glass open to remove the bolts at the hinge to get into the inner wiring cover. Just work on one side at a time and it shouldn't move too much.

Let us know what the coax repair kit looks like when you get it and I might be able to help if you're still stuck. Because it's dealing with RF signals the cable has to be terminated properly or else you'll introduce inference. I don't know what termination the sencom kit provides.

As for the wiring colours I think they're all different. There maybe a few which look brown but they'll probably have a yellow or black strip to identify them.

Good luck!

StuBoy

mitchgixer6,

OK, will post details and pictures of the full E61 Sencom Loom repair kit, including pics of the coax terminations when it arrives.

I'm going to give it a go and install the kit myself. Will probably just try and replace right hand side inner, and see how that goes. This is the loom that's currently causing most issues, i.e. Remote Central Locking not working ... sometimes & centre high level brake light not working.

Assuming that goes well, will do Right Hand Side Outer, then Left hand side.

Not done this before, so worry about making duff crimp connections, but will see how it goes. I've purchased a quality set of Ratchet Crimps (CK 430021), and hopefully those combined with a bit of practice will mean a good job is done.

Should get the kit within a week, and then need a dry day in Scotland to do the job.

Stu.