[maq440]

Hi

I would appreciate some help.
I have a 2018 F36 (440i). Inside the trunk there are two buttons to power close the trunk. The button that closes the trunk and locks the doors at the same time intermittently stops working (and pushing the button does nothing).
The other button that just closes the trunk (without locking the doors) always works normally.

I first thought it may have been a switch issue and changed it. This has made no difference.

If anyone knows how to solve this or has had similar issues please let me know.

Thanks.

[kjx]

The close and lock button won't respond if it thinks it can't guarantee that it can lock the car (for example, if one of the doors is open / not closed tightly). What you'd need to check is if one of the sensors for those additional conditions are malfunctioning intermittently.

[ian332isport]

Is it possible that it thinks the key fob is in the car?

Where is the fob when this happens, and how close are you standing when you press the button?

[maq440]

Thanks for the replies. Since i’ve noticed the issue i’ve been sure to have the key fob in my hand when i’ve pushed the button to ensure its in range.

The doors are all properly closed and pressing the lock button on the key will centrally lock all the doors even when the trunk button has not worked.

[ian332isport]

Originally Posted by maq440

Thanks for the replies. Since i’ve noticed the issue i’ve been sure to have the key fob in my hand when i’ve pushed the button to ensure its in range.

I think you misunderstand. I’m wondering if the fob is too close and the car isn’t locking because it thinks you’ve left the fob in the car.

Try with the fob further away.

[kjx]

Originally Posted by maq440

Thanks for the replies. Since i’ve noticed the issue i’ve been sure to have the key fob in my hand when i’ve pushed the button to ensure its in range.

The doors are all properly closed and pressing the lock button on the key will centrally lock all the doors even when the trunk button has not worked.

If you're able to lock all the doors using the fob and the lock+close button still doesn't work, it's not likely to be a door sensor.

Here's some info on how it's supposed to work based on trying on my own F36:
1. Key lock for all doors and trunk lock+close for all doors will work even if any door (except the drivers door) is ajar when the operation is performed.
2. If the driver's door is open, neither the key, not the trunk lock+close operations will work.

Seeing this is the case, your issue may not have to do with door close sensors.

How about the theory that the trunk thinks the key is inside? Well the trunk shouldn't allow the basic 'close' operation in that case either.

So I'd lean towards it being the switch itself or wiring to the switch. It's also possible you're experiencing an electronics glitch of some sort. You may need to see a service center for this. (I'd try hard-rebooting the iDrive head unit, just to try everything -- press and hold volume button for 30 seconds or so)

You may also check if there are any faults stored using Bimmerlink.

[njdangelo]

As someone who does not own a f36 I find it so interesting that it has a button to close the trunk and then another button that closes and locks the trunk

[maq440]

Originally Posted by ian332isport

I think you misunderstand. I’m wondering if the fob is too close and the car isn’t locking because it thinks you’ve left the fob in the car.

Try with the fob further away.

This solved it! Thanks kjx and ian332isport. I can’t believe it was so simple. I even took the car to the dealers, showed them a video and they couldn’t work it out.

I used to have the fob in the same hand I pushed the trunk button with so I guess sometimes it thought the fob was still inside and other times it was just far away enough to activate the trunk and central locking. Now I have the fob further away it works every time.

[ian332isport]

Excellent. Glad we got to the bottom of it.

[kjx]

Originally Posted by njdangelo

As someone who does not own a f36 I find it so interesting that it has a button to close the trunk and then another button that closes and locks the trunk

The other button closes the trunk, and locks the entire car (all doors). Both buttons “lock” the trunk.