Trunk Lid Switch

[das boots]

2287322874The trunk lid switch is possibly going kaput. It is very fickle minded. I thought it would be a straight shot to just replace the micro switch inside. But it did not turn out the way I like. The trunk lid grip has 4 torx screws. I figure that would be able to just pull out the grip. But the grip would not budge. So I opened and investigated from underside by removing the felt cover. And nothing under that holds the grip aside from a plastic bracket. I have removed the license plate lights and the plates just to make sure. Still would not budge. Any trick to remove this? RealOEM points there is a micro switch inside. Anybody know the way to remove the grip? Thanks.

[ELCID86]

The whole mechanism with the lights and switch comes out. I found instructions somewhere and a few pics are in my red car project thread.


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[ELCID86]

Try this and the links within

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=832269


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[Vas]

You have to remove the complete assembly (lights and switch)

However the wife's car had a similar issue and I found out it was the wiring that was pinched that goes into the trunk in the right corner.

[das boots]

Then it is the trunk lid grip that I am having a hard time removing. It is stuck in place.

[ELCID86]

Then it is the trunk lid grip that I am having a hard time removing. It is stuck in place.

There is a gasket that has some stickiness to it o believe. Try a non-marring pry tool.


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[rguti153]

Nice plate lol
22881

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[das boots]

Got it removed when exposed to direct sunlight heat. Gasket gave way. But still directly hooked up electrically. Sort of an umbilical cod with electrical wires. How to disconnect? Is there a quick disconnect plug somewhere?

Same plate...same color. Twin brothers. One from Commie Republik of Kalifornia, the other the free and secession state of Texas. LOL.

[anandoc]

Figure 3 is where they show you how to remove the electrical connector from the inside of the trunk

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E46/78-BODY-Remove_and_Replace_Your_Trunk_Release_Button/78-BODY-Remove_and_Replace_Your_Trunk_Release_Button.htm

[das boots]

Dang. WTH. I have to buy the whole trunk grip just for the switch?????

[ELCID86]

Dang. WTH. I have to buy the whole trunk grip just for the switch?????

Sucks. Or salvage it from somewhere. Ice never found a seller of just the handle though. Everyone wants to sell the whole trunk lid too.


Tumbs, fone, TaT. ;-)

[Johnmadd]

Dang. WTH. I have to buy the whole trunk grip just for the switch?????

Yes. I managed to put my old painted cover back on, very carefully, it's a 9 out of 10 fit and looks 10 out of 10.

[das boots]

What causes the switch to go kaput? Weather? Constant use? Factory issue?

[Vas]

Gasket usually. Water gets in and corrosion happens

[anandoc]

I share your pain. My passenger side license plate light holder has corroded quite bad and now the light won't turn on. I sanded and cleaned the contacts but the damage is extensive. I will try to hack something together. Sure, I might cause an electrical fire but I ain't buying the whole handle assembly for $90 + S&H + painting.

[slater]

What causes the switch to go kaput? Weather? Constant use? Factory issue?

are you sure it's the switch?

like vas mentioned earlier, i also had this issue on my first ZHP (coupe). it was a broken wire in the portion of the harness that is in the bellows visible when the trunk is opened. pull back or slice open the bellows and inspect.

is your light for the trunk illuminated on the gauge cluster?

[das boots]

are you sure it's the switch?

like vas mentioned earlier, i also had this issue on my first ZHP (coupe). it was a broken wire in the portion of the harness that is in the bellows visible when the trunk is opened. pull back or slice open the bellows and inspect.

is your light for the trunk illuminated on the gauge cluster?

Let me put it this way. When I try to open the trunk, it has a finicky mind. When I push up to the rubber plate, sometimes it will work, sometimes not. I had to play with it by pushing hard on a specific area in the rubber plate.

Will the whole assembly come out through the rubber plate if I was to push in the wire bundle that came from the trunk? I figure this was the way they assembled and run the bundle through and do the final hook up in the trunk lid. I still think it is the micro switch.

No rust from snow (would be nice in SoCal) or other weather damage aside from rain or car wash and dust. Garaged or under Noah car cover.

Negative. Trunk light does not indicate open on the cluster.