Tailgate window opening automatically on '01 325 touring

Anyone heard of this problem ?
Any suggestions ?

The tailgate window solenoid is triggering automatically and releasing the window (not the whole tailgate just the glass, which is hinged seperately).

It does this when the car is in park and locked.

Wack.. its haunted

Originally Posted by budman

Wack.. its haunted

Maybe, anyways I found a picture of you. Check it out http://www.militarycarsales.org/gallery/gallery.html Scroll down about the 40th picture down

I've found I sometimes hit the "glass/trunk open" button on my key by accident while putting them in my pocket.

Originally Posted by schosports

I've found I sometimes hit the "glass/trunk open" button on my key by accident while putting them in my pocket.

I checked all that. When I dropped the car off the keys were on the tech advisors office and we walked out of the building past my car so she can give me my loaner, the tailgate window opened again. I closed it and then it did it again 3 or four times before I just gave up closing it. So I know it aint the keys and the button is not stuck. Plus the car has been at the dealership for 3 days now and the tech guy is still trying to figure it out because it has happened to him.

I have to resurrect this thread, I am having almost the same issue though mine pops open when the car is unlocked, not locked.

Did you fix it?

I can hear the latch for the tailgate glass clicking multiple times when it's open. Is there a relay or something that could be stuck and where would it be?

I'm in the same boat here. Just started experiencing this random glass hatch release. Any good diagnosis out there?

Thanks,
James A.
Portland, OR

02 325xit

Another one here. Any updates?

Originally Posted by Rbz5416

Another one here. Any updates?

The problem was the whole glass needed to be replaced. There was a short in it. Once it was replaced I've had no problems since and it's been three years.

My problem magically fixed itself, hasn't happened since.

The first time this fault accord on my 02' Touring it was the switch on the tailgate window.

Now, two years later it's much more complicated (expensive) now I have to change the main unit (basic unit) under the glove compartment AND the tailgate window.

This fault is only on the Touring model from 2000 to May 2002...!

Thanks for the updates guys. My heater elements are shot anyway so I'll get the screen replaced & see what happens.

Originally Posted by Tele

The first time this fault accord on my 02' Touring it was the switch on the tailgate window.

Now, two years later it's much more complicated (expensive) now I have to change the main unit (basic unit) under the glove compartment AND the tailgate window.

This fault is only on the Touring model from 2000 to May 2002...!

Maybe you could live with my temporary solution & pull fuse 58 (UK)? You can't open the window at all then so have to open the whole tailgate but it's MUCH cheaper!

My touring has been doing the same thing for the past few weeks. I spent some time on it today and found the problem and it should be a lot cheaper than replacing the rear glass. The button under the handle at the center of the wiper is shorted internally. It's not a dead short, just enough corrosion or water to cause problems at 5VDC logic levels.

I could not detect a short with the digital multi-meter. After partially disassembling and doing some diagnostic work with a DMM, I finally popped the cap off the little handle and found water in there. The small connector underneath has 5VDC at pin 3 so I imagine that the water and/or corrosion on or near the ribbon cable or membrane switch passes enough current to trigger the input on whatever controller fires the solenoid. After unplugging that connector, the release solenoid no longer popped on its own but the button on my remote still worked. I'm ordering a new button and gasket and installing them ASAP. Unfortunately, I'll have to hold the glass shut with tape because I mangled the old button during its removal. I did not understand how it went together and destroyed the button.

Photos and details will follow this week.

I hope you're able to score a new button assembly. Mine shorted out last year, where the wire bundle passes through the notch in the glass. Probably could have fixed it, but I decided just to get a new button assembly. Tried many online OEM parts places: "Yes, we have it!" followed by "Hmmmm...I guess we don't" a few days later. Had no luck until Tischer located a dusty one under the old P/N. Don't know whether the current P/N is NLA or just backordered.

They should still be available since it looks like it was used on the e91 touring through 2011. The part number has been superseded twice.

Details will be in the thread in the DIY forum.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=946593