Tailgate; Tailgate Lock System - BMW 5251 Service Manual

400-5
Body-General
Tailgate
The
E39
Sporl Wagon tailgate is large with a low sill for easy
cargo loading. The tailgate opens to an angle of 88" mea-
sured from the rear roof pillar (D-pillar) and to a height of 2029
mm (79.8 in) measured from the ground to the upper edge of
the raised tailgate.
The rear window is bonded to a load bearing frame and can
be opened separately from the main tailgate. Tailgatesupport
gas springs are recessed into cavities in the roof.
Tailgate lock system
A mechanical tailgate lock cylinder is not used; the tailgate is
opened by the unlock pad above the license plate, the remote
tailgate switch located in the drivers kick panel, or via FZV
(Iteyless entry) control.
4
An emergency release mechanism is incorporated into the
latch assembly to open the hatch from the vehicle interior if a
malfunction occurs.
The tailgate lock assembly includes an automatic soft close
(SCA) feature. The electrical operation of SCA is a function of
central body electronics (ZKE Ill). The SCA actuator is locat-
ed in the rear cowl panel below the tailgate. The actuator is
controlled by a load relay in the General Module. A locking
cam is mounted on an eccentric that is driven by the actuator.
4
The SCA cam always turns in the same direction to open or
close the tailgate. The cam turns
180"
to open or to close.
When the cam turns in the up direction the notch in the cam
SCA actuator
pushes on a lever on the back of the latch in the tailgate. This
mechanically unlocks the latch. The tailgate is raised up and
can be opened.