318i Touring boot hatch wont open

Hi, first post so I thank you all in advance for any help offered.

I have just bought a 2001 318i Touring, lovely motor but.... I can't get the glass hatch in the boot lid to open, I think this is called a convenience window, this wouldn't be an issue other than I need to access the rear sprayer to reconnect the pipe...

I have had a look through the fuses and all seems in order, short of taking out the entire boot locking mech what should I do...

Or.... am I just being a muppet and missing something obvious.

stick you key in the trunk, turn and open.

I guess that would work.... if there were a key hole....

doesn't help really does it, I need to open the window to access the sprayer mech. Thanks anyway.... I think, maybe...not.

Originally Posted by Bythesea

I guess that would work.... if there were a key hole....

doesn't help really does it, I need to open the window to access the sprayer mech. Thanks anyway.... I think, maybe...not.

The little bit of sarcasm at the end doesn't help. We're not that familiar with touring vehicles and according RealOEM, it seems to be sold in Europe only.

Is this what your vehicle is? To clarify, which part are you having problems opening? The window or the entire trunk lid? The glass window is sealed in.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...61&hg=41&fg=60

Originally Posted by ckleung100

The little bit of sarcasm at the end doesn't help. We're not that familiar with touring vehicles and according RealOEM, it seems to be sold in Europe only.

Is this what your vehicle is? To clarify, which part are you having problems opening? The window or the entire trunk lid? The glass window is sealed in.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...61&hg=41&fg=60

Actually, Touring is BMW speak for wagon. They were sold in the states.

OP- do you have the diamond shaped key with the two unlock buttons on it? The upper button, above the BMW logo, is the hatch release. Does it not open when you push it? If you have two keys, try both. Also, how about the hatch release under the dash? On left hand drive cars, it's next to the door, look next to the right door on your car.

Does the remote unlock work for your doors? I know it sounds simple, but I like to start with easy stuff. I would make sure the key works properly before going more in depth.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

Actually, Touring is BMW speak for wagon. They were sold in the states.

OP- do you have the diamond shaped key with the two unlock buttons on it? The upper button, above the BMW logo, is the hatch release. Does it not open when you push it? If you have two keys, try both. Also, how about the hatch release under the dash? On left hand drive cars, it's next to the door, look next to the right door on your car.

Does the remote unlock work for your doors? I know it sounds simple, but I like to start with easy stuff. I would make sure the key works properly before going more in depth.

To add to this, all the doors are unlocked, open and close the rear hatch securely. Then try to open the glass with the button underneath the small handle next to the wiper arm. If that doesn't work, it's possible that the mechanism is jammed.

Originally Posted by ckleung100

The little bit of sarcasm at the end doesn't help.

And stick the key in the lock wasn't sarcastic?

Just replying like with like....

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

OP- do you have the diamond shaped key with the two unlock buttons on it? The upper button, above the BMW logo, is the hatch release. Does it not open when you push it? If you have two keys, try both. Also, how about the hatch release under the dash? On left hand drive cars, it's next to the door, look next to the right door on your car.

Does the remote unlock work for your doors? I know it sounds simple, but I like to start with easy stuff. I would make sure the key works properly before going more in depth.

Thanks, yes it is that key. The doors open, the boot opens, the windows go up and down if I hold the button, the only thing that doesn't open is the hatch. I have looked for an internal mech to no avail, using your directions I shall have another look. Thanks...

I only have the one key so no option re trying an alternative.

Originally Posted by ffej

If that doesn't work, it's possible that the mechanism is jammed.

I fear this may be the case, it is no big deal but I would like to get to the rear spray hose and reconnect it, it seems an impossible task without opening the rear hatch window

Originally Posted by ckleung100

Is this what your vehicle is? To clarify, which part are you having problems opening? The window or the entire trunk lid? The glass window is sealed in.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...61&hg=41&fg=60

Thanks, that is a useful link for the future. It is the window that does not open, it is classed as a convenience window and opens outwards for ease of dropping things in the boot, ergo the window is not sealed in but is a separate piece in its own right.

I had the opposite problem with my Touring; the glass popped open all the time by itself. I played around with the window lock mechanism, adjusting the striker, etc., but it turned out to be a short in the button under the wiper.

With the opposite condition, a window lock failed closed, I don't see how you can get to it to replace it if you had to.

Here's the page from TIS Spaghetticoder on removing the window lock:
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/05/56/18

Piece of cake...but it says to first remove the trim panel inside the hatch:
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/05/45/68

You can't do Step #1 because it's covered by the stuck-closed glass. I suppose you could hack a hole in the plastic trim panel to access the window lock mechanism, but there has to be a better way if you have a known bad lock. This situation has to have happened before.

Obviously, non-destructively searching for electrical gremlins is the first thing, as others have mentioned. Perhaps there's a point down below the D pillar where you can access an electrical connector and see if the car's lock module is sending +12V to release the window lock when it's supposed to.

Hi not sure if you have found a solution, i came across your post as i also have had the same problem for over a year and have searched the internet on all forums and had found no solution. I have even thought about breaking the glass.

Anyway, i hit the jackpot last night and came across this (thinking about it all of my google searches were for e46...possibly to specific)

http://forums.5series.net/e61-tourin...r-98217/page3/

I thought it only right to share my find to many e46's who are still praying for a sollution.

Follow this link, it explains how their is a manual over ride that if you have a long tool you can access and it pops the glass section open

Going to try it on mine, just waiting on replacement part to come in first.

Good luck.