Boot open when turn on lights

[champion]

Hi guys, this is rather strange, only yesterday just as i turned my headlights on, the boot will automatically triggered to open(well its relatively like pressing the open boot button from inside). It happens intermittently. I suppose 'short' 'short' on the electric circuit. :stupid:Anyone experience this before ?

 

[astroboy]

U better cut down on alcohol... u start to hallucinate.. :35:

If what u saying is true, your headlights should be on when you open your boot.. such thing should work both way.. while u are at it, u better check your kitchen stove as well.. maybe its on the same circuit..

 

[champion]

Yesterday didnt drink la, waiting for CNY.

...unfortunately, no both ways. When open boot, lights not on. Only when turning the headlight knob, lights on and boot open...knn !!

 

[astroboy]

haha... real knn! U how long didn't go Tokong?! or did u ask for 4D from the supernatural and after strike, never return the favour?! Don't play play..

 

[king82]

haha... real knn! U how long didn't go Tokong?!

hahah...you cannot stop teasing him huh?

must be some wiring problem...quite a hassle and not to mention dangerous too if you boot opens automatically after the lights are turned on...

 

[bimmerholic]

champ, only happens once and that's that or does it happen everytime you turnt he light's knob.?

 

[jarance]

champion, any of your light on HID?

 

[champion]

I dont even know how to begin googling it....adoi !

It happens intermittently. Sometimes the boot opens, sometimes dont. I think i suspect is the wiring at the boot area.

My headlamps are HIDs. Changed few months back, no issue. The boot even opens when i turn the headlamp to level 1(HID not even turn on yet)

 

[jarance]

I dont even know how to begin googling it....adoi !

It happens intermittently. Sometimes the boot opens, sometimes dont. I think i suspect is the wiring at the boot area.

My headlamps are HIDs. Changed few months back, no issue. The boot even opens when i turn the headlamp to level 1(HID not even turn on yet)

do you have the same problem before you retrofit the HID?

BTW, what brand of HID did you install in your car?

You may try to install a RC circuit (surge suppressor) in your car. say a 47 ohm resistor and a 47micro farad capacitor at the boot actuator.

 

[champion]

Hi Jarance, korean made HIDs (will look at the brand later).
No problem before or after fitting the HID. Only started yesterday.

 

[jarance]

Hi Jarance, korean made HIDs (will look at the brand later).
No problem before or after fitting the HID. Only started yesterday.

The HID ballast is basically consist of an ignitor and inverter circuit. When it first turn on, it will created a high voltage to ignite the gas in the arc chamber of the HID bulb. This high voltage will sometime will be induced back to the DC of the battery system causing some of the digital circuit in the electronic to go haywired.

Due to aging of electronic component cause by heat or moisture, some of the filtering circuit in the ballast may not be effective in filtering this spike.

I am only speculating that the spike is causing this. I can only confirm this if I hook up the battery supply to an oscilloscope.

but, like what you say, your boot also open when turn to "1".

It is very difficult to determine the root cause when the problem is intermittent.. you have any interesting problem. Please do let us know of the outcome.

 

[champion]

The HID ballast is basically consist of an ignitor and inverter circuit. When it first turn on, it will created a high voltage to ignite the gas in the arc chamber of the HID bulb. This high voltage will sometime will be induced back to the DC of the battery system causing some of the digital circuit in the electronic to go haywired.

Due to aging of electronic component cause by heat or moisture, some of the filtering circuit in the ballast may not be effective in filtering this spike.

I am only speculating that the spike is causing this. I can only confirm this if I hook up the battery supply to an oscilloscope.

but, like what you say, your boot also open when turn to "1".

It is very difficult to determine the root cause when the problem is intermittent.. you have any interesting problem. Please do let us know of the outcome.

Nevertheless, thanks for all the help....and you too AB !! :love:
Will keep you guys posted.

Cheers !

 

[astroboy]

If what Jarance says is correct (he usually is ), then the mysterious boot opening is not the end of the story. The spike in your electrical system might have caused other unexpected behavior to the car's electronics and may even shorten the life span of your spark plugs or other sensitive sensors which is not visible to u until its too late. Pasang the capacitor or resistor at the boot latch actuator will only protect the boot latch actuator while the rest of the car's components are all still at risk..

I say install a voltage stabilizer temporary to test Jarance's inference.. :smokin:

 

[champion]

When it happen again yesterday evening, i got up from my car to close my boot, and i realize each time when i swing the boot, either up or down, the actuators actually 'engage' (i heard the mechanism sound). And this happen only when the headlamp issue exist. Other good day, no issue at all. Could it be the boot actuator giving problem ?

 

[astroboy]

Suspect actuator? Take it out and do a swap with another willing E39 kaki here and test your inference.. :wink:

Now u know why going to Official TT is so important..

 

[jarance]

When it happen again yesterday evening, i got up from my car to close my boot, and i realize each time when i swing the boot, either up or down, the actuators actually 'engage' (i heard the mechanism sound). And this happen only when the headlamp issue exist. Other good day, no issue at all. Could it be the boot actuator giving problem ?

check the wiring for the number plate light and the actuator. There seem to be a cross wiring or shorting. Most probably cause by water ingress.

Note: Number plate light turn on when you turn light to position "1". This give 12V supply to the boot number plate. Push button Switch for boot actuator is located near the number plate light.

when you move or swing the boot, you are disturbing the wiring from the internal of the boot to the boot cover.
Look for damage insulation of the wiring..


btw, champ, the above is a very good observation. it does help to solve the mystery.

 

[champion]

check the wiring for the number plate light and the actuator. There seem to be a cross wiring or shorting. Most probably cause by water ingress.

Note: Number plate light turn on when you turn light to position "1". This give 12V supply to the boot number plate. Push button Switch for boot actuator is located near the number plate light.

when you move or swing the boot, you are disturbing the wiring from the internal of the boot to the boot cover.
Look for damage insulation of the wiring..


btw, champ, the above is a very good observation. it does help to solve the mystery.

Thanks, will lift up the number plate light and check the wirings.

Cheers !

 

[initialM]

Where did u install the HID. Dont just go to any accesories shop. BMW electronics are complicated.

 

[jarance]

Where did u install the HID. Dont just go to any accesories shop. BMW electronics are complicated.

IM, he already state his HID is korean made lar..

 

[champion]

Where did u install the HID. Dont just go to any accesories shop. BMW electronics are complicated.

I had my HID installed in one of the reputable shop in pj, they are well known for electronics and stuff. The dilemma is, it happens after few months of HID installation. Anyway, we suspect it has nothing to do with the HIDs. Thanks and will keep you guys posted.

Cheers !