HI All,

i have a 2003 520i Auto and for some reason the key fob boot release button wont open it i have to use the key.

i only bought the car yesterday so it hasnt worked since ive had it

 

Welcome to the forum. It probably didn't work before you bought it either. What does the seller say about that? It's probably the actuator. I had to replace mine when I had my '97 528i.

 

Thanks Jay, the seller was a part time dealer so didnt know much about the car, my fault being naive

 

On my e60 you have to make sure the car is fully unlocked before the key fob trunk release button works. That means I first have to hit the unlock button on the key fob two times.

Next:

These cars are notorious for broken wires leading to the trunk actuator. Take a look at the trunk hinge on the right side (passenger side). Its worth pulling the wires out of the trunk hinge and examining them. In my e60, recently they were all severed and I spliced them back together (known fault for the trunk actuator malfunctioning).

 

I have to hold the trunk key, about two to three seconds, and then release to open the trunk. Old key, weak battery. A quick press will not do it. My doors do not have to be unlocked to make this work. 2004 Pre-LCI E60

Holding the button more than five seconds and the alarm may go off. Mine does.

Not supposed to work exactly that way, but it does. New key might help.