Hi,

My 2003 R53 has a bad electric hatch lock actuator and doesn't have a hatchback release cable. How can I get the hatch open?

 

Here you go,, check under rear seat, pre 2002 did not have them.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...80#51247069310

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ch-issues.html

 

I removed the back seat bottom from my 2003 R53 and it definitely doesn't have a release although it does have the stop for it.





I managed to get into the boot/trunk by jamming my hand in between the parcel shelf and the seat back and pulling the seat back latch.

In order to open the hatch I removed the trim piece that covers the lock. I could then use a screwdriver in the slot to move the little plastic thingie over to unlock the hatch.

I swapped out the lock, but I still don't hear or feel anything when I'm listening to and touching the latch while I have an assistant lock and unlock the car. I suspect that the switch on the hatch is bad but I don't understand how this system works. Do both the lock and hatch release switches have to be opened at the same time? It seems like it's an all electronic system. There's nothing mechanical to it. Also there was no sign of an emergency release cable ever having been installed on the car on the hatch latch either.

 

The manual boot release wasn't fitted at the factory until October 2002 builds ...

https://www.mini2.com/threads/chrono.../#post-1780230

 

Yep, you must be before that oct 2002 build. Only thing i can think of it to get into that lock latch by going though the trunk and under the trim panel, which you will have to drill into or break/pry up/

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_4468

#2 in the diagram

 

I retrofitted the manual boot release in my May 2002 build R53.

 

Once I removed the trim panel I was able to push a little plastic piece over through a semi circular slot in the lock and get it to release.

 

Good,

Time for the retrofit. #31, 32, 29, 30, 36

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=41_1380

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/51247119986/

 

One end of the cable is under the seat. Where does the other end go? Is it one of the covered recesses for accessing the tail lights?