moppit

Hi Folks,
I've scoured the threads on this subject but still not really found the answer. In a fit of frustration (rear tailgate glass section opening every time I put the ignition key in ) I disconnected the wire spade connector to the tailgate glass mechanism under the cover whilst the glass portion was open. This obviously solved the problem short term but now can't get the glass open (decided now to repair the loom as high level brake light and fog light playing up)

I know there is a manual release but how to get to it? I unscrewed the trim on the main tailgate get can't get to the last two screws - I can see the tabs by gently prising the trim apart but surely this will destroy the trim If I get rough with it? How can I refit the trim afterwards if these break?

Is there a clever way without doing serious damage? I tried removing the tailgate switch mechanism and putting 12v on one of the wires but this did not operate the solenoid (even when pressing the button at the same time).

Any thoughts much appreciated. Car is 2008 Lci model

paulie

Hi, I had the same problem and solved it as follows. I unscrewed the trim as much as possible, without removing the two screws obviously. Then I made a "tool" consisting of a broom stick and a nail (cut the top part of the nail) and then using a picture of the lock mechanism (see link below) you have to aim with the "tool" in-between the trim and aim into the small hole of the lock and push it towards up. The lock is black and has a hole that manually unlocks the rear glass.

Link with pictures of the lock: https://5series.net/forums/e61-touri...o-power-98217/

See picture:

moppit

Hi Paulie,
Superb thanks! Exactly what I was looking for.
That's my weekend's work sorted then....wiring loom tailgate repair AFTER I've got the glass open...
Cheers

paulie

Good luck and keep us updated.
Btw. I must say that opening the glass with the "tool" took some fiddling around.

moppit

Worked perfectly! It was open after the second 'wiggle'. I found an old broom handle in the garden shed, banged a nail in, cut the head off. Done!

No damage to the car and it enabled me to get on with fixing the other problems (and create a new one!).

I've re-wired the whole RHS of the hinge loom but now have a new problem! For some reason my key will not lock/unlock the door.

I've rechecked the wiring but can't find a fault? Anyone know which colour wire does the central locking? Does the diversity unit need re-setting after disconnect or might I have blown a fuse? If so which one to check?

Any thoughts?

paulie

Nice :-) Need to patent the broom tool ;-)

I guess you solved the central locking problem, right? - blue/white wire.

moppit

yes correct. I had actually fixed this wire, then shrinkwrapped it... BUT because it's so thin it broke under the strain but stayed attached under the shrink sleeve - drove me mad for a while until I wriggled all the wires and it fell apart. I came VERY close to spending £248 on a new diversity unit thinking I had blown it up at some point.

It's a shame there is not a more robust solution - these wires are sooo thin yet move around a lot with the tailgate opening and closing.

I have a feeling I'll be going back in there again. I've just used fabric loom tape - is there something else that will withstand regular movement? I've ditched the metal guides but am worried the wires might catch in the hinge.

paulie

When I exchanged the wires, I used teflon coated wires. A set is available on Amazon. The cables are different as opposed to the original ones - more flexible. Then the cables were longer so, the sleeve is longer and less prone to stretching due to opening and closing of the booth. But, ask me in few years :-)

Edit: Added links to the cables:

Lotus99

Link to them, so we know exactly which?

paulie

Added the links.