2013 X5 35d tailgate comfort access stopped working

[motosport3]

The CA on my rear tailgate has stopped working. Does anyone have any ideas? All the doors CA works fine. TIA.

[jbash87]

Similar problem to my 2012. Had to replace the "trunk lid lock". Part number 51247308849.
Mine would sound like it was releasing but never actually lift. If you manually open the tailgate and actuate the lock/unlock you can narrow it down to the upper portion or the lower portion. The P/N I listed is for the upper.

[motosport3]

Thanks for the quick response. The unlock is what is not working. Before I could walk up with key in pocket press the tailgate button and hear the tailgate unlock and lift. Now it won’t unlock at all and I have to use the key fob to unlock the doors before pressing the tailgate button for it to lift. I will try out your suggestion.

[jbash87]

Have you ever noticed some water dripping from the upper locking mechanism as you're lifting the tailgate? Mine did, and there is some condensation in the taillights as well.
My theory is the taillight gaskets leak and let water collect in the lock mechanism. I have new gaskets to finish the fix off but haven't gotten around to installing them.

[wcs531]

Sounds like it would be an antenna issue considering the actual trunk functions as normal when the vehicle is already unlocked.

[motosport3]

Originally Posted by jbash87

Have you ever noticed some water dripping from the upper locking mechanism as you're lifting the tailgate? Mine did, and there is some condensation in the taillights as well.
My theory is the taillight gaskets leak and let water collect in the lock mechanism. I have new gaskets to finish the fix off but haven't gotten around to installing them.

I haven’t noticed that issue with the recent atmospheric rivers we’ve been having here.

That might have been a contributing factor but it does seem like a receiver issue for that latch. Is the antenna part of the locking mechanism?

[motosport3]

Originally Posted by wcs531

Sounds like it would be an antenna issue considering the actual trunk functions as normal when the vehicle is already unlocked.

Yes spot on everything works other then the comfort access unlock. Do you know the location of this antenna receiver.

[wcs531]

Originally Posted by motosport3

Yes spot on everything works other then the comfort access unlock. Do you know the location of this antenna receiver.

Not sure but my guess would be under that plastic tray where the battery is

[motosport3]

I did ask ecs about where the sensor for the tailgate would be for CA but couldn’t get confirmation. My key fob range has no problem so it is very likely the receiver/sensor that is the issue for the tailgate.

[motosport3]

I'm curious whether anyone can confirm if this control module is what contains the comfort access sensor.

https://www.fridayparts.com/trunk-li...BoCSrUQAvD_BwE

[wcs531]

Originally Posted by motosport3

I'm curious whether anyone can confirm if this control module is what contains the comfort access sensor.

Thats the control module, which does not contain the antennas.

Thinking about your issue a little more it does seem strange that a basic antenna would fail, so it could be a number of things from a faulty control module, wiring rubbing against something and shorting, or even a loose plug. I would strongly suggest getting BMW specific codes read via something like Bimmergeeks Protool, bimmerlink, or a dedicated reader like a foxwell (meant for BMW codes) to see if there are errors pointing to the issue.

As far as antenna locations if you google "e70 comfort access antenna locations" the first result should be something from bimmerfest which is just a PDF that is very in depth. Page 10 gives more detail on the antennas themselves and shows what an antenna looks like (but does not have an actual diagram showing locations).

Page 15 has a section about the upper tailgate (pasted below). A lot of information but something along that chain is broken for you.

[motosport3]

This is the exact detail I was looking for to start troubleshooting. Thank you so much!

This is the blurb from the pdf for others interested in this topic:

Passive Entry for Upper Tailgate
An authentication check also takes place before opening the upper tailgate. The junction
box control unit evaluates the status of the outside tailgate button. Pressing the outside
tailgate button changes its status.
The change in status is transmitted via the K-CAN.
The Comfort Access control unit prompts the ID transmitter to register and obtain
authentication from the vehicle. This prompt is sent by the antenna in the rear of the
vehicle.
After successful authentication, the tailgate can be unlocked and opened with the
outside tailgate button.

[motosport3]

Got around to scanning for codes and got the following. Sorry about the blurry pic. If anyone knows what "Aerail" means. I searched the forum and didn't see anyone report this word or code.

[jbash87]

Aerial in English translates to Antenne in German which translates back to antenna in English. So I'm guessing it means the bumper antenna has an error? Seems to be in line with what you and wcs531 have been thinking.

[motosport3]

I ended up getting the antenna replaced at my mechanics which fixed the problem.

Part number is 61356922212.

The antenna was accessible due to my vehicle having the trailer hitch otherwise it would have required removing the bumper.

[Gassyburger]

I have a similiar problem wihy my e70. It doesnt open the trunk when the car is locked, only when unlocked or when i press the tailgate button on my key. I dont belive that the problem is the bumper antena since the trunk opens when I bring the key closer to the actual antena on the bumper. I am getting the fault code A06B. Could it maybe be the antena inside the trunk under the carpet? If not then could it be due to K-CAN line faults (I have a couple of them). I fixed the corroded wires under the fuse box in the trunk, but it didnt fix the fault codes. What should I do next? Any suggestions?