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Forum Lockedhow to open E39 tail gate without power??

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UweM3 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 14-February-2008 at 20:07
I do like my E39 touring. But sometimes it's a little bit testing my nerves....

How on earth does the tailgate open with a flat battery?? Had a drained battery today (own fault, nothing wrong) and thought HaHa, no problem have got the jump leads under the false floor.
.....try to lift that lid with the tailgate close

Next thing. Can anybody tell me please where the brake fluid cannister is?? Was changing rear pads at the weekend and could find the bugger!

On a good note, my battery drain problem seems to have gone. I change the blower motor resistor pack (£30 ish from C3BMW) and didn't have a problem since.
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kbannon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-February-2008 at 20:27
Can you not open the tailgate with a key?

As for the brake fluid, its under the pollen filter housing on the drivers side.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote UweM3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-February-2008 at 20:35
Originally posted by kbannon kbannon wrote:

Can you not open the tailgate with a key?As for the brake fluid, its under the pollen filter housing on the drivers side.


There's NO lock

Will have a look under the pollen filter, thanks.

Edited by UweM3
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Exharper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-February-2008 at 21:01

Cant you jump start the engine from under the bonnet!! I do....

Just of interest, is the rear discs and pads any harder to change than the front??

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote UweM3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-February-2008 at 21:32
Originally posted by Exharper Exharper wrote:

Cant you jump start the engine from under the bonnet!! I do....


Just of interest, is the rear discs and pads any harder to change than the front??



yes jump start from under the bonnet.
Rear pads are the same as fronts.

I needed to get my jump leads out of the boot!
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeemaBoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2008 at 07:20

I dont have an E39, but does it say anything in the manual about an automatic overide?

I thought the same thing on my E38, because the boot release is electronic and the battery is in the boot. Turns out that you keep turning the key past the resistance point until it pops the lock... There must be a way...BMW would never leave you without a way to get into the boot! There could possibly be some sort of manual release under the back seat or something?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeemaBoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2008 at 07:39

Wait...I do have an E39 manual

If you do, look on page 38 and 39 or read below...

Manual release

If an electrical defect occurs, you can

operate the tailgate manually.

Saloon:

Insert a master key into the luggage

compartment lid lock and turn fully to

the left . the lid will open slightly.

The luggage compartment is locked

again as soon as its lid is closed.

touring:

1. Working from the load area, open

and take out the two side flaps

(arrow)

392de778

2. In the tailgate, open the two quick-

release fasteners for the toolkit cover

and raise the cover

3. Take out the plastic plug (arrow) and

pull towards the interior of the car to

release the tailgate

4. Open the tailgate, press the plug

back in and close the cover with the

quick-release fasteners

5. Insert and close the two side flaps.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2008 at 08:26
Originally posted by Exharper Exharper wrote:

Just of interest, is the rear discs and pads any harder to change than the front??

You will need to slacken off the handbrake shoes to allow the disc to be removed.  Up to that point it is the same as front discs on an E39.

7mm Allen Key for the calliper guide pins and then a socket to undo the calliper cradle bolts, disc then unscrews with either a 5mm Allen key or a pozidrive screw.

 

Back to post, so did you get the tailgate open?

Andrew

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jetsetwilly2000 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2008 at 15:15
If not I think my brother knows a trick.  Let me know and I'll pass it on privately.

PS He's a mechanic, not a car thief.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote UweM3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-February-2008 at 09:26
Originally posted by BeemaBoy BeemaBoy wrote:

Wait...I do have an E39 manual


If you do, look on page 38 and 39 or read below...

<FONT face=T16 size=2>

Manual release

<FONT face=T4 size=1>

If an electrical defect occurs, you can


operate the tailgate manually.


Saloon:


Insert a master key into the luggage


compartment lid lock and turn fully to


the left . the lid will open slightly.


The luggage compartment is locked


again as soon as its lid is closed.

<FONT face=T4 size=1>

touring:


1. Working from the load area, open


and take out the two side flaps


(arrow)

<FONT face=T20 color=#b4b4b4 size=1>

392de778

<FONT face=T4 size=1>

2. In the tailgate, open the two quick-


release fasteners for the toolkit cover


and raise the cover


3. Take out the plastic plug (arrow) and


pull towards the interior of the car to


release the tailgate


4. Open the tailgate, press the plug


back in and close the cover with the


quick-release fasteners


5. Insert and close the two side flaps.



Woohoo! Thanks a bunch mate. I do not have a manual, otherwise I would have read it.
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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