E90 boot open console notification

_juju_

Member
Car: BMW E90 330i (2005, thus pre LCI).

I have a problem that I'm a little in the dark about. I get the boot open notification on the console, but the boot is opening/closing/locking/unlocking normally.

It can't be a fuse since if the fuse was blown I would have to open it manually with the key.

I searched here and online (youtube) for something but without luck, just people having trouble with locks not opening and such.

In my ignorance, I bought a new lock from the dealers and replaced it myself (saved about R1200 in labour :=): ). Nobody tells you that the new lock comes with unthreaded bolt locations, what a drag to detach everything again and tap some thread.

So with the lock replaced, I took the car for a spin, only to get the notification popping up again. It does so everytime you pull away, slow down (at low speed) and accelerate (at low speed). Quite irritating.

Any ideas?

The next thing on the list is to replace the handle open actuator, not an expensive item but I'd hate to carry on blindly replacing things that may not be the problem.

Interestingly, some of lights in the boot-lid are also dead (another notification irritating me), I've replaced some but came up short with the bulbs somehow so will be replacing the rest shortly (those little mist lights are cray expensive, but they're done now).
 

minh

New member
The vehicle I am purchasing this week had that problem when I test drove it, I asked the dealership to fix it before I take delivery. When I pick it up I will ask them what they did to fix it and let you know.
 

Lizzard

Active member
OP, I drive the exact same model as you.

There are 2 other options you need to look at also. But what I have learned is dont just replace things, you will end up with a massive bill and the problem will still be there. Try and get someone to read you the error codes so you can take it from there.

1st
There is a thing called FRM which controls a few things but it controls both the lights, all of them as well as the door locks, central locking etc. If this units start going then you will end up with weird notifications of things being open but they not. I had an incident where the car icon with a door open will come on the dash, weird as I was driving and the door was definitely locked. It happened a few times and ended up being the FRM that was busy going. It will start small, like a door open icon every now and then. After it will display another door and so it will start doing extra problems. Maybe look at this FRM, best bet will be to contact @Ratslaaf, Gert on the forum. He is the GURU of all guru's on this type of thing. He also sells them at a bargain.

2nd
In the boot there is this string of wires that come in, bottom right at the back window. If you remove that boot and pull the wires slowly you can see if the wires is broken or not. In my case the wires was broken off and will make contact here and there. This caused the car to indicate brake lights, reverse lights etc not working. Inspect the wires here as you may have some broken ones, especially the brown wires.

Hope this helps.
 

_juju_

Member
Lizzard said:
OP, I drive the exact same model as you.

There are 2 other options you need to look at also. But what I have learned is dont just replace things, you will end up with a massive bill and the problem will still be there. Try and get someone to read you the error codes so you can take it from there.

1st
There is a thing called FRM which controls a few things but it controls both the lights, all of them as well as the door locks, central locking etc. If this units start going then you will end up with weird notifications of things being open but they not. I had an incident where the car icon with a door open will come on the dash, weird as I was driving and the door was definitely locked. It happened a few times and ended up being the FRM that was busy going. It will start small, like a door open icon every now and then. After it will display another door and so it will start doing extra problems. Maybe look at this FRM, best bet will be to contact @Ratslaaf, Gert on the forum. He is the GURU of all guru's on this type of thing. He also sells them at a bargain.

2nd
In the boot there is this string of wires that come in, bottom right at the back window. If you remove that boot and pull the wires slowly you can see if the wires is broken or not. In my case the wires was broken off and will make contact here and there. This caused the car to indicate brake lights, reverse lights etc not working. Inspect the wires here as you may have some broken ones, especially the brown wires.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for the input, I'll have to take a look then into the two options mentioned.

This is starting to sound like an expensive problem if it is the wiring loom, unless you can replace sections thereof.
 

supey

Member
I have the exact same problem, but haven't had the time to look into it yet. All I do is walk back, and open and bang it closed again.

When closing the lid, there's a motor sound that seems to be pulling the boot further into a locked position. I am assuming that the lock might not pull the boot closed properly, so there's still that clearance that makes it think that it's unlocked. If I get a chance this weekend, then I'll have a look, and check in here ...
 

SubLoaded

Resident Derailer
Staff member
Had this issue on my E90 and it happened occasionally as well with my current vehicle. I noticed that in cold weather - upon unlocking/opening the boot with the key, it would make a strange sound (like a double unlock sound) and wouldn't unlock on the first try. Second try would be fine.

It also wouldn't close without unlocking/'opening' the boot (via the key whilst the boot was already opened).

Seems like the pin that does the locking doesn't like cold weather as it gets 'stuck'. Haven't had the issue recently though but will record a video if I can catch it again.
 

Lizzard

Active member
My friends E90 had the boot issue where it will only open with the key, ended up being the harness that goes to the boot and was broken off in the section where that strip is from boot lid to rear window.
 

graan13

Active member
Not sure if this may help but I had a similar issue but it also included the boot not opening via the remote. I found the problem after much frustration fiddling with the locking mechanism which it wasn't. The problem was in the wiring harness that ran through the boot arm on the right side below rear parcel shelf into boot. There were 4 wire that had broken but made intermittent contact giving the intermittent fault of Boot open or not releasing via remote and also blowing number plate light bulbs. I would strongly suggest having a look there before buying "expensive" items. I am not sure if the e90 wiring harness runs into the boot in a similar fashion to the e60 but its well worth having a look. If it does run into the arm of the boot lid, just be gentle when pulling as much of the harness out, probably only get about an inch or so to play with and you will need to remove the terribly sticky black tape from the wire to see other than using a multi-meter to check wire continuity from the lock/release through to the closest connector on the other end. Pics of my issue below......

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/uploads/user/11743/20170906_101221_6691863797.jpg
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/uploads/user/11743/20170906_101231_2846679538.jpg
 
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