2002 C 320 trunk lid latch replacement

Hi Jeff,
I was going to say, check fuse/ jump the load side of relay Good post.

When the rear compartment lid release switch is pushed, the rear compartment lid release signal circuit to the body control module (BCM) is grounded. BCM then grounds the coil side of the trunk release relay through the trunk release relay control circuit. With this voltage is applied to the rear compartment lid release actuator, opening the rear compartment.
Rear Compartment Lid Release Relay

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the trunk relay.
2. Test for 65-90 ohms of resistance between terminals 85 and 86.
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If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the trunk relay.

3. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
?€¢
30 and 86



?€¢
30 and 87



?€¢
30 and 85



?€¢
85 and 87



?‡'
If less than infinite resistance, replace the relay.


4. Install a 10-amp fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Measure for less than 2 ohms of resistance between terminals 30 and 87.

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If greater than 2 ohms, replace the relay.

Rear Compartment Lid Release Relay Malfunction

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the trunk relay.
2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the coil side B+ circuit of the trunk relay and ground.
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If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the voltage control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the trunk relay.

3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the switch side B+ circuit of the trunk relay and ground.
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If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.

4. Disconnect the harness connector at the rear compartment lid latch.
5. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohm of resistance between the rear compartment lid latch ground circuit and ground.
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If greater than the specifed range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

6. Connect a test lamp between the trunk release relay control circuit and the coil side B+ circuit of the trunk relay.
7. Command the trunk release solenoid ON and OFF with a scan tool.
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If the test lamp remains ON all the time, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.



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If the test lamp remains OFF all the time, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.


8. Connect the harness connector at the rear compartment lid latch.
9. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the switch side B+ circuit of the trunk relay and the voltage control circuit of the lid latch. Verify that the lid latch activates.
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If the lid latch does not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the rear compartment lid latch.

10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the trunk relay.

Component Testing
Rear Compartment Lid Release Switch

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the rear compartment lid release switch.
2. Test for infinite resistance between the trunk release switch supply voltage and ground terminals with the switch in the open position.
?‡'
If less than infinite resistance, replace the rear compartment lid release switch.

3. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the trunk release switch supply voltage and ground terminals with the switch in the closed position.
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If greater than 2 ohms, replace the rear compartment lid release switch.

4. Test for infinite resistance between each terminal and the lid release switch housing/case.

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If less than infinite resistance, replace the rear compartment lid release switch.

Could be the relay , could be the switch , could be a problem with the BCM !

if the trunk opens by the internal switch it will be the button gone down common problem easy to fix just remove trunk lid liner exterior finisher you can test by latching trunk latch with screwdriver and shorting out the two wires in the connector going to the trunk wiring from the button also the wiring is prone to breaking around the trunk hinge

Remove the bulb if you think it runs the battery down. the switch is part of the latch assembly of the trunk.

TRUNK LID ELECTRIC LATCH NOT WORKING MORE LIKELY ITS BROKEN.YOU HAVE TO USE KEY THE OPEN THE TRUNK LID, IF TRUNK LID GETTING POWER, THE ELECTRIC LATCH HAS TO BE REPLACED.

Most likely, the plastic snap on the end of the hooked link that runs from the button mechanism down to the latch has popped out of its hole in the latch. Common problem on cars of this age.
If you have fold down rear seats, crawl in the trunk and pop up the plastic snaps that hold the trunk liner in place (if you break some, no worries, they are cheap), and pull up the liner and reach inside and release the trunk latch. Then you can replace the plastic snap on the link, or just secure it to the lock with a zip tie. We bought a new snap and still had to secure it with a zip tie.
If you don't have fold down rear seats, you will need to remove the license plate and drill a hole so you can reach in with a wire hook and release the trunk latch. You need to find a rubber body plug an inch or so in diameter and then drill a hole to fit your rubber plug. This will be easier if you know someone else with an e36 who will let you pull off their trunk lid lining and see what it looks like so you can select the best spot to drill the hole and know just how to grab and pull the trunk latch to release it.

TO REMOVE TRUNK LATCH YOU HAVE TO DISCONNECT TRUNK LATCH CABLE FROM LOCK CYLINDER END.THEN YOU MARK TRUNK LATCH RELATIONSHIP TO THE TRUNK LID AND DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE TRUNK LATCH.REMOVE THE LATCH RETAINING BOLTS AND REMOVE THE LATCH.PUT EVERY THING BACK VISA VERSA.

Replace thr pulldown switch .

hi mj
dave here

open your trunk and check that the connector on the lid latch has not come undone. try unplugging it and plugging it back in