BMW E36 boot lock wont engage - new boot!?!!

My boot lock wont engage. Even if I slam it or put my 220lbs plus frame on
it. However it does click if I push it using a hard object to simulate the
lower pin.

The chap in tne BMW spares place suggests I need a new boot lid because it
has a hairline crack near where the upper catch is bolted on to the boot.
He siad the same thing happened to him. He tried to weld it but it didnt
work right.

2nd hand boot lid 40 GBP
Fitting 40 GBP
Painting 100 GBP

1994 E36 Coupe. Looks like its time to find it a new owner ...

Any short term fixes? I think if I could put some tape or solder on the
upper pin or under the catch ? I reckon this is less than 1 mm. Causing the
problem.



--
Lordy

Lordy wrote:
> My boot lock wont engage. Even if I slam it or put my 220lbs plus
> frame on it. However it does click if I push it using a hard object
> to simulate the lower pin.
>

Is the catch not adjustable?

Si

"Mungo \"two sheds\" Toadfoot" > wrote in
:

> Lordy wrote:
>> My boot lock wont engage. Even if I slam it or put my 220lbs plus
>> frame on it. However it does click if I push it using a hard object
>> to simulate the lower pin.
>>
>
> Is the catch not adjustable?
>
> Si
>
Doesnt look so. I'll have a play....


--
Lordy

Lordy wrote:
> "Mungo \"two sheds\" Toadfoot" > wrote in
> :
>
>> Lordy wrote:
>>> My boot lock wont engage. Even if I slam it or put my 220lbs plus
>>> frame on it. However it does click if I push it using a hard object
>>> to simulate the lower pin.
>>>
>>
>> Is the catch not adjustable?
>>
>> Si
>>
> Doesnt look so. I'll have a play....

They usually are but perhaps BMWs are better built than the cars I've owned


Si

"Mungo \"two sheds\" Toadfoot" > wrote in
:

> Lordy wrote:
>> "Mungo \"two sheds\" Toadfoot" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>> Lordy wrote:
>>>> My boot lock wont engage. Even if I slam it or put my 220lbs plus
>>>> frame on it. However it does click if I push it using a hard object
>>>> to simulate the lower pin.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Is the catch not adjustable?
>>>
>>> Si
>>>
>> Doesnt look so. I'll have a play....
>
> They usually are but perhaps BMWs are better built than the cars I've
> owned
>
>
> Si

AMC in Wandsworth (SW London) sorted it out in 20 minutes (pushing, pulling
& bending) and didnt charge me!
They did say it was a known issue, and the official fix is a new boot lid,
however they can tweak severe cases using washers etc..

Phew - saved 180 GBP.

AMC Are not usually cheap but they do know their stuff. In this case, cheap
too! ( http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/garages_seng.html )

Note AMC in Lee (SE London and around the corner from me) said I needed a
new locking mechanism which was entirely wrong!

--
Lordy

Wow!

There are adjustable cushions that set the striker distance. Perhaps you
need to 1.) adjust the cushions, and 2.) stop slamming the lid so damn hard.

I have seen pictures of the cracks in the area of the latch, so I know what
you are talking about, but by looking at my car, I can't see how those
cracks can get there unless the cushions are maladjusted, and/or the latch
is abused by slamming the lid way too hard.





"Lordy" > wrote in message
45...
> "Mungo \"two sheds\" Toadfoot" > wrote in
> :
>
> > Lordy wrote:
> >> "Mungo \"two sheds\" Toadfoot" > wrote in
> >> :
> >>
> >>> Lordy wrote:
> >>>> My boot lock wont engage. Even if I slam it or put my 220lbs plus
> >>>> frame on it. However it does click if I push it using a hard object
> >>>> to simulate the lower pin.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> Is the catch not adjustable?
> >>>
> >>> Si
> >>>
> >> Doesnt look so. I'll have a play....
> >
> > They usually are but perhaps BMWs are better built than the cars I've
> > owned
> >
> >
> > Si
>
> AMC in Wandsworth (SW London) sorted it out in 20 minutes (pushing,
pulling
> & bending) and didnt charge me!
> They did say it was a known issue, and the official fix is a new boot lid,
> however they can tweak severe cases using washers etc..
>
> Phew - saved 180 GBP.
>
> AMC Are not usually cheap but they do know their stuff. In this case,
cheap
> too! ( http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/garages_seng.html )
>
> Note AMC in Lee (SE London and around the corner from me) said I needed a
> new locking mechanism which was entirely wrong!
>
> --
> Lordy

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in
:

> Wow!
>
> There are adjustable cushions that set the striker distance. Perhaps
> you need to 1.) adjust the cushions, and 2.) stop slamming the lid so
> damn hard.
>
> I have seen pictures of the cracks in the area of the latch, so I know
> what you are talking about, but by looking at my car, I can't see how
> those cracks can get there unless the cushions are maladjusted, and/or
> the latch is abused by slamming the lid way too hard.
>

All I can say is it is a known fault over time with this age Bimmers, (10
years +) Both BMW "specialists" I went to were aware of it. I usually let
the lid "drop" with a slight bit of momentum but one it became faulty I was
body slamming of £$"%$""% !!!

--
Lordy

In article >,
Lordy > wrote:
> AMC Are not usually cheap but they do know their stuff. In this case,
> cheap too!

Yes. I've use them a few times and they've been fine. They also have a
waiting room which overlooks the workshop - sort of reassuring.

They failed when I asked them about changing the exterior door handle on
an E39, though. Said the door would have to be stripped out.

--
*The statement above is false

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Lordy" > wrote in message
45...
> "Jeff Strickland" > wrote in
> :
>
>> Wow!
>>
>> There are adjustable cushions that set the striker distance. Perhaps
>> you need to 1.) adjust the cushions, and 2.) stop slamming the lid so
>> damn hard.
>>
>> I have seen pictures of the cracks in the area of the latch, so I know
>> what you are talking about, but by looking at my car, I can't see how
>> those cracks can get there unless the cushions are maladjusted, and/or
>> the latch is abused by slamming the lid way too hard.
>>
>
> All I can say is it is a known fault over time with this age Bimmers, (10
> years +) Both BMW "specialists" I went to were aware of it. I usually let
> the lid "drop" with a slight bit of momentum but one it became faulty I
> was
> body slamming of £$"%$""% !!!
>
> --
> Lordy

The catch bolts onto the metalwork, probably with a torx bolt.

You should be able to take it off insert a couple of washers (or a blank you
cut out yourself) and then you will have made up the couple of mm required.