BMW X5 Tailgate Malfunction: Hall Sensor or Something Else?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2012 BMW X3 last year. The tailgate was acting up just like yours, intermittent operation and error messages. After taking it to the garage, they found it was indeed the hall sensor, but the main problem was actually corroded wiring connections near the tailgate hinge. They had to replace the entire wiring harness for the tailgate and recalibrate the system. The job took about 4 hours, but it wasn't as serious as I initially feared. Since the repair, my tailgate's been working perfectly. Based on the symptoms you're describing, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. Make sure whoever works on it checks both the sensor and the wiring, sometimes it's not just one component causing the problem. Best of luck with the repair.

Hey! Thanks for sharing your experience. That's really helpful info about the wiring harness being the culprit. Do you remember roughly how much the whole repair set you back? Just trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise. Also, has everything stayed working properly since then, or have you had any other little issues pop up with the tailgate?

Hey again! Great news, I actually just got my X3 back from the mechanic last week for this exact issue. The total bill came to 95 € which was way less than I expected after my previous repair. Turns out it was just a faulty cable connection to the hall sensor that needed fixing. Much simpler than when they had to replace the entire wiring harness last time! And you'll be happy to hear that since this latest fix, the tailgate's working perfectly, no more error messages or weird behavior. Opens and closes like a dream now. This repair was honestly much more straightforward than my previous experience that I told you about. Just make sure whoever looks at yours checks those connections first before jumping into replacing bigger components. Could save you some serious cash if it's a similar simple fix like mine turned out to be. Let me know how you get on with yours!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! I finally got my X5 checked out today. You were spot on about getting the connections checked first, saved me a bunch of money! The mechanic found a loose connection and some minor corrosion. Total repair was much cheaper than I'd feared. Funny thing is, while I was at the shop, another BMW owner came in with the exact same issue. The mechanic mentioned it's pretty common with these models. The whole thing took about an hour and a half, and my tailgate's working perfectly now. No more error messages or struggles with opening and closing. Really grateful for your advice about checking the simple stuff first. Definitely helped me avoid getting talked into unnecessary replacements. Think I've found my new go-to mechanic too, they were super transparent about everything. Thanks again for helping me sort this out!

Hello, I have a similar problem with the x5 E70 tailgate, error A2B8. My question is where is the Hall sensor located? Regards

(Translated from Polish)

The Hall sensor for the tailgate on a BMW X5 E70 is typically located near the tailgate motor or latch mechanism. It's often integrated into the motor assembly itself. To access it, you may need to remove the interior trim panel of the tailgate. Make sure to check the wiring connections for any signs of corrosion or loose connections, as these can also cause issues. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, it might be best to have a professional mechanic take a look. Let me know if you have any further questions!