Hi everyone,

I just got my first 5 series, a 2004 530i w/sport package, dynamic drive and active steering. I am working through some electronic gremlins that are causing random low or dead batteries. So far I had to replace my driver's door latch because it was causing the windows and sunroof to open in the middle of the night. I noticed that my trunk lights go off between 10-30 seconds after opening the trunk. I read that there could be damage to the wires going to the trunk but everything looks good. The lights go off, they don't flicker like they would if a wire was damaged or shorting. Is there anything else to check besides replacing the trunk latch, maybe a setting in the LCM?

Just fyi, the battery is new and has been coded to the car.

Thanks!

 

Not sure what to say, except get the voltmeter out. Start pulling fuses

 

I can almost guarantee you that the Trunk Wiring Loom is the culprit. Its common. I have a long thread on here.

 

Thanks for the reply guys! Couple of follow up questions:
I am not sure how this is going to help me with the trunk lights turning off prematurely. Please explain.


Thanks for the link. I have already redone the trunk harness on my E46 because the wiring loom failed. I visually inspected the wires coming out of the trunk tube but I did not see any damage to the wires. Is there another place I should look?

The really weird part, to me at least, is that if it was a bad wire I would think the lights would flicker but it is just the duration of them being on that seems to be effected.

 

Yes everyone does what you did, including me. The damage is usually in the bend of the tubing. Right where that dang grommet is. That's a known weak spot. I had to remove the tool holder, the liner and then disconnect the wires and pull them out of the tubing to get to mine.

 

Trunk lights go off when car goes to sleep normally around that time, nothing wrong with that!
Based on the OP post #1, I fail to see any problem.......or am I missing something here?

 

My interior trunk light never turns off and I have the latest software updates.

I was addressing the flickering part only. That sounds like the trunk wiring loom to me. Those lights connect via the loom.

 

normally car go to sleep mode in 20 mins, my trunk is usually left open in garage at home and that’s what is supposed to happen if everything is as it should be.

 

Yeah I said never as an exaggeration. If I'm working on my car with the trunk open, the light turns off in about 30 minutes.