[SRG]

My wife's 2001 325 wagon has some issue w/ the tailgate. It won't open. Until recently it worked normally. The glass hatch works fine. I've tried jiggling/pushing/pulling on the tailgate while operating the release button and looked at the fuses marked "Touring Only" in the glove compartment mounted fuse box (they were all fine). Operating the release button (above the license plate) makes no sound - I think it did when it was working. Any ideas on what's wrong here or what else to do or check? Thanks.

[mlytle]

ahhh, the joys of owning a POS E46.

BTDT with my 2002 wagon. some lock expensive lock control module was the issue.

but then it could be the common wiring harness issue. the bazzillion wires that go from the body to the hatch chafe through and cause all sorts of issues with the excessive electrical parts in the hatch.

be careful trying to get the inner hatch panel off to get to the lock, the attachment points break off 90% of the time and new panels are not cheap.

did i mention how poorly made the e46's were?

(i just finished replacing most of the cheap plastic cooling system parts......yet again)

[SRG]

Update - Took it to my indy mechanic. He showed me the tailgate release button just above the hood release lever (I didn't know it had one). Pushing it will release the tailgate, so the lock actuator in the tailgate is fine and the problem is the button/switch above the (rear) license plate.