Hi guys hope someone can offer some advice please. My E53 boot outside release button (between registration lights) does not work. No click on the bottom when pressed. In fact there's no feel of anything when pressed like the button going in. The only ways to release the boot is via the remote or on the center console. Problem is I cannot find a button online. Millions of interior buttons but not the external hatch button. Does anyone know if its just likely to be a failed button or something more costly. Also if anyone could link me to a reasonably priced button that would great. Cheers. 

Morning Steve

Sadly the rear boot release switches tend to suffer water ingress and deteriorate (well fall to bits) 

My first repair was to take off the switch and re-solder  the connections inside that worked for about 18 months before failing again. I used www.realoem.com to get the part number and searched for a replacement, when I looked there were several used on Ebay but I brought new from BMW they gave a good discount as my E53 is an oldie now.

No issues in the last 7 years (tempting fate now) though I have had recently had a couple of spurious bulb failure warnings from the rear, so rear light clusters may be suffering with all the rain. If it stops I will take a look

Dave

The bulb problems I've had at the rear always seem to to be loose connections or a connection popping off. 

I'll check at site for a replacement switch

I've been through the section for my car and viewed the exploded pic of the boot hatch but couldn't see anything on the list for the switch

How weird is that realoem shows this for mine

29

Actuation unit, trunk lid

1

09/2001

51137004532

$3.00

Hope it helps

Dave

Took a bit of going backwards and forwards checking but it turned out was number 29 on my list but I cannot see her where to purchase it. 

Talk to your local BMW dealer parts guy/girl if they don't have it they should be able to order it. I brought mine from Cotswold BMW who also gave a discount due to the cars age

Take care as my local Dealer wanted to sell the complete assembly

Dave