Well, first of all, you should know that the booster may be connected under the hood - you just need to use the special terminals there. Secondly, there are three ways to open your trunk when there is no power or even no battery at all in your BMW. In this article, I will explain to you how to do it and what you need for this.
No-power problems highlights
- Level of urgency:high
- DIY inspection:possible but complicated
- DIY repairs:possible but often complicated
- Can you drive?no
- Price of repairs:$50 - $250
- If ignored:no-start, nothing works
- Ways to fix:check the battery, connections, fuses
How can you open the trunk of your BMW with no power?
Well, as I've already said, there are three common ways you can do it. And some of them may be not good for your car because BMW changes its vehicles from time to time and takes some features from them that were available in earlier models. For example, some earlier cars had a keyhole in their trunk lids, so that you could just easily open the trunk without reading the manual or the articles like this one.
But technologies get more challenging for people and we badly need to study manual when we buy something new.
So, here are the three ways to open the BMW trunk with a dead battery in the car:
1. Keyhole in your trunk
I couldn't find the information about the model year when BMW stopped installing the keyholes in their trunk lids. Obviously, all new models don't have this thing which would make your life much easier.
In an older BMW, you can try to find such a keyhole and use the metal key to open the trunk. If you have keyless access, the metal key is still hidden in the fob. Read the manual or watch a video to learn how to take it out.
Usually, the keyhole in the BMW trunk is located right above the license plate. It faces the bumper, so it's not visible if you look from above. Bend down and see if your car has one.
2. Get into the trunk from inside
Now, if you have an X5 or any other SUV, this task will be extremely easy for you. Just fold your seats and you can easily get into the trunk. Then, you may open the trunk lid by pulling the special latch. In newer BMW X-Series vehicles, there may not be a latch, so again, you will need to address the manual and read the section about opening the trunk from inside.
In sedan cars, it will be much more challenging. You can open only the central part of the backseat, so you will have very limited access to the trunk. If you can't get into the trunk, you may use something to reach the white plastic thing called the trunk latch and pull it down to open the trunk.
After that, you can have access to the battery compartment and to your trunk for whatever reasons you were trying to open it.
3. Use the booster or jumper cables
Although you can't open the trunk lid by just pulling some mechanical lever in the BMW interior, you can do this with your hood. Open the hood by pulling the lever twice and taking the hood up. Then, you may spot two terminals - the red one is plus and it's covered by the red plastic cover. The black one is usually closer to the radiator and is the minus.
You may use these terminals to charge the battery or boost it, jump-start your car, etc. Also, you may connect a booster or another car's battery and use your key fob to open the hood. This will power your car's electrical system and you will have access to all the needed features.
If you have the booster, you will be able to easily open the hood. But be careful - first, connect the positive, then the negative terminals. When disconnecting, take off the negative clap first, then the positive one.
Final thoughts
So, now you know how to open the BMW trunk if the battery is dead or absent. Don't forget to do something that will prevent the trunk lid from closing once again after you open it. You may use a towel and put it on the lower part of the latch.
Unfortunately, new vehicles tend to send us to the dealership once something happens. Luckily, we have some brains to overcome the difficulties and avoid paying hundreds of bucks for something a car owner should always be able to do on their own.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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