BMW i3 Tailgate Sensor Fix: Expert Tips & Solutions

I had a similar issue with my 2014 BMW i8 Hybrid about 6 months ago. The tailgate started acting up out of nowhere, sometimes not responding at all, other times only partially opening. After taking it to the garage, they found it was indeed a faulty hall sensor, but the main culprit was actually damaged wiring in the tailgate harness. The cables had worn down from constant movement, causing intermittent connection issues. The mechanic spotted several worn spots in the wiring loom where it flexes near the hinge. The fix required replacing both the sensor and the wiring harness. It wasn't a major mechanical issue, but it needed proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact problem. Make sure whoever works on it has experience with BMW electronics and can properly test the circuit before replacing parts. In your case, I'd suggest having them specifically check the wiring condition first, as it's a common wear point in these models. When they test it, ask them to verify the voltage readings at the sensor while operating the tailgate, this will confirm if it's a wiring or sensor issue.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience with the i8! Since it's been 6 months, just wondering, did your fix hold up well? Would you mind sharing how much it ended up costing you? I'm trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at price-wise. Also curious if you've had any other electrical gremlins pop up since then? Really appreciate your detailed explanation about the wiring harness, that's super helpful info!

Hey there! Absolutely happy to update you on how things turned out. The fix has been working perfectly since I got it sorted, no more tailgate troubles at all! I actually got pretty lucky because it turned out to be simpler than what I initially had with my i8. The mechanic found it was just a dodgy cable connection to the hall sensor that needed fixing, not the whole wiring harness like I'd feared. Only ended up costing me 95 € which was a massive relief compared to what I was expecting! And nope, haven't had any other electrical issues pop up since then. The car's been running like a dream. It's funny because when these things first happen, you worry it's going to be some massive expensive repair, but sometimes it's just these little connections that need sorting out. Really glad my earlier explanation about the wiring helped you out! Just make sure whoever looks at yours does a proper diagnostic check before replacing any parts. Sometimes these BMWs just need a bit of TLC in the right spot rather than major surgery!

Thanks so much for the follow-up! Just got back from the mechanic today and wanted to let you know how it went. You were right about getting a proper diagnostic check first! Turned out my issue was actually pretty similar to yours, just a loose connection that needed fixing. The mechanic showed me how some of the wiring had worked itself loose over time. Total bill came to about 120 bucks, which wasn't bad at all. The guy spent a good hour testing everything to make sure it wasn't something more serious. Really glad I didn't jump straight into replacing the whole sensor or harness like I was tempted to do. The tailgate's working perfectly now, opens and closes like new. What a relief! Think I've found myself a decent mechanic too, which is a bonus after all those sketchy experiences. Thanks again for sharing your story, it really helped me know what to look out for when I took it in.