First problem (hooray!) - boot slightly ajar for no reason

[Chanceschmerr]

Morning all! Looked out my window this morning and noticed that my boot lid was slightly ajar, I hadn't realized it wasnt closed all the way when I opened/closed it last night.

Tried to push it down and then open/close it this morning, to no avail. It latches...but isnt closed all the way. I've scoured the boot for any blockage, none seen. Roof wont open...because it says the boot isnt closed.

Anyone come across this issue before?

 

[Chanceschmerr]

 

[bigwinn]

Can you read codes?

I’d suggest it may be the boot mech issue that come have posted on here recently

 

[Chanceschmerr]

Can you read codes?

I’d suggest it may be the boot mech issue that come have posted on here recently

Thanks mate, I do have an OBDII reader, I'll give that a go.

I couldnt find the boot mech issue mentioned in recent posts - do you recall who posted it?

 

[bigwinn]

I’ll have a look

 

[bigwinn]

F

Thread 'Boot soft close failure-Fixed'

Oct 28, 2016

Well set about fixing today.

• flybobbie
• Replies: 89
• Forum: E89 problems

 

[RMB]

Get that fixed asap, I don’t think you want water getting in the boot with all the electrics.

 

[Chanceschmerr]

There we go. Green wire on left side of the mechanism is disconnected.

Guess its time i learn how to use a soldering gun - or find someone who knows!

 

[Chanceschmerr]

I can see that its been repaired/soldered previously - but now its broken below the solder, right above where it goes in.

Is this repairable at this point? I dont know if there's enough wire to even repair....

 

[matsmith749]

Common failure & thankfully an easy fix. Looks like someone has been in there before from the size of that solder blob!

I would look to replace that wire section & refix to the connector rather than try & re-solder, do all 3 wires (not just the broken one), replace with nice flexible insulated wire.

It's a known weak point.

 

[Chanceschmerr]

Common failure & thankfully an easy fix. Looks like someone has been in there before from the size of that solder blob!

I dont know if its easy, I'm not sure i have enough space for a soldering repair.

Also, I've never soldered before

 

[matsmith749]

Luckily a soldering iron is cheap from amazon, and plenty of 10 minute 'learn to solder' guides on youtube.

It's a valuable skill to pick up

 

[Chanceschmerr]

I managed to remove it from the housing. Going to go get a Soldering Iron from B&Q and give it a go. What could go wrong?

I think I'd prefer replacing all three wires as you suggest, but I have no idea how to do that. Electrics were never my strong suit...we'll start today with learning to solder!

I appreciate the guidance, mates!

 

[peeblezZ4]

Couldn't you get a part number and get a price for replacing the full piece?

 

[matsmith749]

I managed to remove it from the housing. Going to go get a Soldering Iron from B&Q and give it a go. What could go wrong?

I think I'd prefer replacing all three wires as you suggest, but I have no idea how to do that. Electrics were never my strong suit...we'll start today with learning to solder!

I appreciate the guidance, mates!

First time solderer?

I would bet you a pint you will (i) burn your finger in a nasty way & (ii) burn / melt something when you put the soldering iron down.

Both rights of passage IMHO.

 

[Chanceschmerr]

First time solderer?

I would bet you a pint you will (i) burn your finger in a nasty way & (ii) burn / melt something when you put the soldering iron down.

Both rights of passage IMHO.

So far slight burn on finger. Not melted anything yet.

Other than that, its not going well. I was stupid to think i could solder wires with like 0.2mm of wire to work with

 

[Pondy]

So far slight burn on finger. Not melted anything yet.

Other than that, its not going well. I was stupid to think i could solder wires with like 0.2mm of wire to work with

View attachment 291898

TBH you picked THE most difficult thing to solder as your first attempt. Even if you managed to solder there, it would break very quickly anyway.
Get a new microswitch, it will come with tails on. Looks like all three wires have been repaired before, as the orange heatshrink isn't BMW spec!

In fact I would get one for the other side too, as that probably won't be in much better shape.

 

[Chanceschmerr]

TBH you picked THE most difficult thing to solder as your first attempt. Even if you managed to solder there, it would break very quickly anyway.
Get a new microswitch, it will come with tails on. Looks like all three wires have been repaired before, as the orange heatshrink isn't BMW spec!

In fact I would get one for the other side too, as that probably won't be in much better shape.

Agreed fully..

Other side was the original wiring, funny enough. Something about that left side....

 

[matsmith749]

New connector always the best bet.

But that looks very solderable to me - I can see from the state of the wire that you have 'gone in dry' with the solder.

You need to use flux (not the same as flux cored solder). It looks like a dirty brown semi solid / waxy paste & would be sold right next to wherever you picked up the soldering iron.

Trim the wire so only about 8-10mm is exposed from the insulation. Twist it in you fingers to make the stands form a solid section (not a bunch of loose strands).

Dip the wire in the flux first, then apply heat to the wire. After a few seconds, touch the solder to the hot wire.

It will flow, with a smooth a shiny appearance - the wire will look like it has turned from copper to silver. No lumps. No blobs.

Do the same on both ends of the wire you are trying to join, then touch them tigether & apply heat again - they will merge into a solid connection.

 

[Chanceschmerr]

New connector always the best bet.

But that looks very solderable to me - I can see from the state of the wire that you have 'gone in dry' with the solder.

You need to use flux (not the same as flux cored solder). It looks like a dirty brown semi solid / waxy paste & would be sold right next to wherever you picked up the soldering iron.

Dip the wire in the flux first, then apply heat to the wire. After a few seconds, touch the solder to the hot wire.

It will flow, with a smooth a shiny appearance - the wire will look like it has turned from copper to silver. No lumps. No blobs.

Do the same on both ends of the wire you are trying to join, then touch them tigether & apply heat again - they will merge into a solid connection.

Thanks mate - the embarrassing thing is that I did use Flux! Brushed it on and tried to heat the wire for a minute or two and it just never actually heated the solder, only when the solder directly contacted the iron did it melt and become workable.

I'm sure its lack of experience. Also probably my solder iron is only 25W so probably too weak to heat up properly. I'll get a 60W one next time.

Ive got plenty of throwaway wire to practice on. In the meantime, I did finish a dodgy solder repair in the end, put it back in and everything works for now. I'm now trying to source a replacement mechanism to have on hand for when this fails again....at the base...preventing any soldering.