Cargo Light switch ?

[DerbyCity]

My cargo light flickers when going down the road. Where's the switch?

[1996 328ti]

It is on the bottom left of the hatch.

[DerbyCity]

Thanks, I'll check tommorrow to see why its sticking.

[1996 328ti]

Could also be that the hatch is not closing all the way.

[318tibimmer]

Mine was doing the same thing actually was the Plastic down where the button presses, the plastic is worn away, either fill up the wear mark with something or replace the plasic molding. It is like $30-50 from BMW.

[H3_2.1-ti]

Hey guys,
I had the same problem when my alarm started going off for no apparent reason. The switch itself was the culprit. It's a very easy swap. The switch itself isn't expensive. I'll get you the part # first chance I get.

Cheers,

[montjuic]

Sorry if I'm adding further worry, but I had the same thing happen to
me last year. Lighting came on over rough roads and the alarm would
go off sometimes while parked. Cause: hatch was moving while closed.
Cause: the latch was pulling out of the rivets in the hatch door itself.
This isn't pretty. There's nothing like fresh metal for rivets--versus re-welds
or doing some body work. So, a new hatch frame was the solution.

Im hope it's not that. As a side note, be very careful when you adjust
the rubber stops on the ends of the hatch. I think this caused weird
movement and stress on the hatch.

-B

[cali-ti]

did you get a new hatch or a used one? what did you pay?

[montjuic]

Got a new hatch and bumper....some idot rear-ended me just enough to
force the latch completely out. Ironically, I was on my way to a body shop!
Yeah, that was a decent day.

-B

[cali-ti]

any idea what you (or the idiot's insurance) had to pay for the hatch replacement? was it literally brand new from the dealer/supplier? mine is rusting and i wanted to get a ballpark on a brand shiny new one

[lkwd318ti]

Hey I kinda have that same problem too (the alarm one).
Sometimes when i park my car and close the trunk, the alarm will chirp 3 times (as if something was open). and...when it actually locks (with the alarm chirping once), it sometimes just goes off for no apparent reason.
What I do is close the trunk and push down a little hard via license plate and then lock the truck with my key (turn clockwise until horizontal and take key out in horizontal position). Then after that, activate the alarm and it should chirp once. I haven't had a problem with the alarm going off when I do this. I hope my advice helps somebody.
-Randy

[H3_2.1-ti]

Sorry it took so long,
I was swamped at work. Here's the part # 61 31 8 360 464 (cargo light switch).

Cheers,

[cali-ti]

thanks for the PN H3, makes finding it in the ETK a lot easier! i need one of those too.

[aznlonewolf135]

An easy fix that I did for the trunk latch is I repalced the original bolts and used two over sized (in diameter) washers. It's a little hard to line everything up by your self but definitely do able. I just have to replace my switch now...

[BMW_Hatchback]

Originally Posted by 318tibimmer

Mine was doing the same thing actually was the Plastic down where the button presses, the plastic is worn away, either fill up the wear mark with something or replace the plasic molding. It is like $30-50 from BMW.

Originally Posted by H3_2.1-ti

Hey guys,
I had the same problem when my alarm started going off for no apparent reason. The switch itself was the culprit. It's a very easy swap. The switch itself isn't expensive. I'll get you the part # first chance I get.

Cheers,

Many years later but here I am as well! I'm going to order a new switch, and see how worn the plastic is that the button sets on.

I don't think anything is wrong with the hatch itself, that would be overkill

If anyone is looking for the tail trim plastic piece, check here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_2163