How to open trunk with no battery connected

JJM335 · 11-01-2011, 09:01 PM

I have done the same thing to my '08. The key hole next to the trunk opener button does indeed work. It takes a LOT of force, but it will open.

raiste · 11-02-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

I'm glad someone else took the time to tell us how you did it

Thanks a bunch raiste you are the man ... good thinking

No problem.

.

kyleb350 · 11-02-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

So the key works?

Yep... oiling it a bit helps, but it was still a b*tch

luis_m3 · 11-02-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwm3nyc

My M5 has a cable that is under the back seat. Just lift up the lower part of the seat and pull the cable and that releases the trunk. Since the M5 has no trunk keyhole either. I would think the M3 would be similar since it has no keyhole either.

Has anyone been able to check this out?

tom @ eas · 11-02-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luis_m3

Has anyone been able to check this out?

We've removed the back seats (cage install), without a trace of this cable being seen.

luis_m3 · 11-02-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

We've removed the back seats (cage install), without a trace of this cable being seen.

Thanks Tom! It would have been nice though...

Z K · 11-02-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Yep... oiling it a bit helps, but it was still a b*tch

It's probably because it's never used so it gets seized up... I wonder if the door keyhole is the same.

mkoesel · 11-02-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJM335

I have done the same thing to my '08. The key hole next to the trunk opener button does indeed work. It takes a LOT of force, but it will open.

Yep, just tried mine and it and it worked. Unlike yourself and some others here, mine took very little effort. I guess I got lucky.

jonasaurus · 11-03-2011, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Not for the E92 like the OP has - its standard, and there is no non-folding back seat option. But yes, for the E90 it is an option.

Really? I'm pretty sure people have used it. I'll check it out on my '08 e93.

Yep sorry for the confusion, only those with the E90 like myself had to pay for something that should have been standard (the question I was answering had made reference to the E90)

JCtx · 11-03-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yep, just tried mine and it and it worked.

That's the first time I hear it works. Which direction it opened? Clockwise or counterclockwise? By the way, my car has only seen rain once, so it doesn't matter not being used before. And I lubed it with plenty of silicon spray. My key only moved 45º to the right, if I remember correctly, but it was solid hard after that... as well as to the left. Just curious which side it should open, in case one of these days I feel like taking the damn thing apart. But to be honest, that's at the bottom of my priority list since I'll never use it anyway. The concensus a couple of years ago was it was inoperable. I learned something new today

. Good day folks.

mkoesel · 11-04-2011, 02:18 PM

I just twisted it to the left, so that's clockwise if you are looking down toward the location of the lock cylinder from above the decklid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

That's the first time I hear it works. Which direction it opened? Clockwise or counterclockwise? By the way, my car has only seen rain once, so it doesn't matter not being used before. And I lubed it with plenty of silicon spray. My key only moved 45º to the right, if I remember correctly, but it was solid hard after that... as well as to the left. Just curious which side it should open, in case one of these days I feel like taking the damn thing apart. But to be honest, that's at the bottom of my priority list since I'll never use it anyway. The concensus a couple of years ago was it was inoperable. I learned something new today

. Good day folks.

JCtx · 11-04-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I just twisted it to the left

Yep, it's counterclockwise if you're looking at the cylinder lock with the trunk open. Mine turns about 45º and then hits a stop, just like if I try to turn it clockwise. No sense in trying to force it any more

. Even with the trunk open it feels the same; it's not connected to anything. By the way, what's the build date on your car? Mine was one of the last '08s, with a 06/08 build. Maybe that's why.

How much do you have to turn your key to open the trunk? And does the key open the trunk mechanically, or just activates the electric trunk opener?

All I know is I'm not going to tear my trunk open just for that. Removed the black cover on top of the cylinder lock to see if I saw anything, but no. Thanks man.

jqsmooth · 03-06-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT4me

2 options, ZK is correct about the keyhole hidden on the underside of the lip by the pad, or you can obtain power by hooking up a battery to the engine area where there is a specially marked + sign and negative to any grounded metal in the hood. Also note, the FOB has a hidden key that can be manipulated out of the FOB itself to use in the keyhole. Hope this helps

Thanks mate! My battery was drained for some reason and I had to jump my M3. I did a quick search on the forum and your post helped. Hope I don't have to get a new battery. Arghhhh...

DavidZ · 12-20-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiste

Otherwise, I would connect a 12V power source to the power socket or open the hood and connect it to the battery jumper points.

Is this going to work if the battery in the trunk is disconnected (as the OP stated)? I thought maybe the trunk battery negative terminal would need grounded to the chassis to complete the entire car's electrical circuit.

FVM3 · 12-20-2012, 03:55 PM

you can unlock it by your key

DavidZ · 12-20-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

you can unlock it by your key

If your '10 E92 has a keyhole for the trunk, you're special.

Haywood · 10-12-2013, 01:37 PM

So, I just did the dumbass move today! Installing M performance steering wheel and closed the trunk. Fortunately, my neighbor still has little kids. I had his 3 year old climb through the opening and pull the cable. He liked it so much, he wanted to do it again!

M3PO · 10-14-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haywood

So, I just did the dumbass move today! Installing M performance steering wheel and closed the trunk. Fortunately, my neighbor still has little kids. I had his 3 year old climb through the opening and pull the cable. He liked it so much, he wanted to do it again!

lol that's awesome! Kids ARE good for something it turns out!

mdosu · 10-14-2013, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haywood

So, I just did the dumbass move today! Installing M performance steering wheel and closed the trunk. Fortunately, my neighbor still has little kids. I had his 3 year old climb through the opening and pull the cable. He liked it so much, he wanted to do it again!

i suppose it beats smashing your own widow to access the trunk...

Haywood · 10-15-2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

i suppose it beats smashing your own widow to access the trunk...

True, but how would that allow me to gain access to the trunk?

i001947 · 10-15-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haywood

True, but how would that allow me to gain access to the trunk?

Try using a wire hanger through the back seat opening.

EvenSteven · 10-15-2013, 09:26 AM

Crowbar.

11-01-2011, 09:01 PM	#23
JJM335 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	I have done the same thing to my '08. The key hole next to the trunk opener button does indeed work. It takes a LOT of force, but it will open.
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12-20-2012, 03:55 PM	#37
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	you can unlock it by your key
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10-12-2013, 01:37 PM	#39
Haywood I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2... 3101 Rep 3,470 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Coupe, e39 M5, i3s Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (11) Garage List 2003 BMW e39 M5 [0.00] 1997 BMW e36 M3 [0.00]	So, I just did the dumbass move today! Installing M performance steering wheel and closed the trunk. Fortunately, my neighbor still has little kids. I had his 3 year old climb through the opening and pull the cable. He liked it so much, he wanted to do it again! Attached Images __________________ 2019 Imperial Blue Metallic i3s BEV 2003 Le Mans Blue e39 M5 Dinan S1 1997 Alpine White e36 M3 (the old gal) 2013 Mineral White e92 M3 (sold ) 2014 Carbon Black 650i M-sport (sold)
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10-15-2013, 09:26 AM	#44
EvenSteven Banned 17 Rep 394 Posts Drives: '11 m3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Crowbar.
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