Trunk won't open

[JimD]

I went out to get my tool roll out of the bimmer to use them at an oil change event at church. Trunk wouldn't open. It is in the garage and has been for a couple weeks due to some rennovations on the house clogging up the driveway. Normally it gets driven every two to three days. I'm hoping it's just the battery is run down some. I haven't put it on the charger but will try to remember to do it tomorrow, any other ideas?

I tried the key fob and the interior button. The key fob will lock and unlock the doors. The windows were also rolled down which is not the way I left it. I was able to roll them up without starting the car so the battery is not dead.

I wish I just had a key lock on the trunk (and a dipstick).

[pick333]

check the valet switch in the glove box.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by JimD

I wish I just had a key lock on the trunk (and a dipstick).

+1.

When you press either the key fob or the interior release, do you hear the release mechanism actuate?

If not, maybe that solenoid or motor has failed? Or maybe there's a separate fuse for the trunk mechanism?

Sorta dopey of BMW to not have a way to get into the trunk if the mechanism fails, since the folding rear seat release is in the trunk itself.

[dcaron9999]

I ran into this a few times on 2011 135i.

Could not believe the stupidity of this design flaw.

I cant remember but I recall either a couple of engine restarts, or a reset of the ECU via my Cobb AP3 device, got the trunk mechanism operational again...

Not able to reproduce it but will mention it to my dealership next time I visit them as car is still under warranty until May 2015.

[bimmer74]

Same thing happened to me yesterday. Neither the remote nor the button in the car would open the trunk. I was glad the '09 has the trunk key lock. Anyways, everything worked again this morning and I hope it will stay that way but something may be on the way out.

[JimD]

I resolved this yesterday. I checked the valet button earlier and it wasn't the problem. The problem was that the car thought the top wasn't up all the way. I didn't figure it out until the driveway got unblocked and I started the car. The top buttons were blinking and I pushed the up one a couple seconds until it went out. Then I tried the trunk and it was fine. I discovered another way to mess up. Happy the car is fine.

[ptack]

Here's another odd one - make sure the glove box is closed.

[dcaron9999]

Reported this ongoing issue with my 2011 135i to my dealer during my VANOS Bolt recall today, and they could not reproduce or seek DTC error in the car.