[bimmerdriver2]

Here are the parts to make the plug to close off the connector on the actuator:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=61138364614

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=12527549033

[PurePulse64]

Has anybody else used the Bimmerlink app to do this Mod?
ventjock I see you have, does it stay open all the time or do you need to keep opening/closing via the app?

[Proper]

Originally Posted by PurePulse64

Has anybody else used the Bimmerlink app to do this Mod?
ventjock I see you have, does it stay open all the time or do you need to keep opening/closing via the app?

If you are doing it via the app you will have to open it each time the car is shut off. My recommendation is to open it via the app than pull the connector at the actuator on the flap.

[PurePulse64]

Originally Posted by Proper

If you are doing it via the app you will have to open it each time the car is shut off. My recommendation is to open it via the app than pull the connector at the actuator on the flap.

Awesome. Thanks for the info!

[CRuben09]

Sorry to revive this old thread. I just bought a 2019 X1 S28i for my wife, and was looking through the forum how to get the flap in the open position. I own another BMW SAV and in my case I just put the car in Sport Plus and the flap opens and stay like that as long sport plus is active.

In the x1 case it doesn't work like that (as mentioned in previous posts). So I turned off the vehicle, got a flat screwdriver and some electrical tape. I went under the rear muffler, and pry open the flap manually with the screwdriver (manipulating the C clamp under the actuator), don't get nervous by applying some force to it, then disconnect the actuator plug, wrap the end with electrical tape, and put it on again (it won't make contact, and the cable would not be loose) and voila! Exhaust flap open under 3 minutes. Let me know if you have any doubts. So far 20 miles and no issues

[kavatski]

I did something similar but also zip-tied the plug in place, since I found after some driving it would work itself loose even though it seemed like it was jammed in there when wrapped with electrical tape.

Haven't noticed any difference except a little louder on a cold start, and, of course, exhaust coming out of both pipes - which just looks better and means I don't have one pipe black with soot and the other weirdly clean.

[bimmerdriver2]

Originally Posted by CRuben09

Sorry to revive this old thread. I just bought a 2019 X1 S28i for my wife, and was looking through the forum how to get the flap in the open position. I own another BMW SAV and in my case I just put the car in Sport Plus and the flap opens and stay like that as long sport plus is active.

In the x1 case it doesn't work like that (as mentioned in previous posts). So I turned off the vehicle, got a flat screwdriver and some electrical tape. I went under the rear muffler, and pry open the flap manually with the screwdriver (manipulating the C clamp under the actuator), don't get nervous by applying some force to it, then disconnect the actuator plug, wrap the end with electrical tape, and put it on again (it won't make contact, and the cable would not be loose) and voila! Exhaust flap open under 3 minutes. Let me know if you have any doubts. So far 20 miles and no issues

After you pried the flap open, did you try reconnecting it to see if it works properly? Does it hold whatever position it's open to?

[CRuben09]

Originally Posted by bimmerdriver2

After you pried the flap open, did you try reconnecting it to see if it works properly? Does it hold whatever position it's open to?

If you connect it back, it will reset and go to the default position.

[bimmerdriver2]

Originally Posted by CRuben09

If you connect it back, it will reset and go to the default position.

Are you speculating or did you actually try it yourself?

[CRuben09]

Originally Posted by bimmerdriver2

Are you speculating or did you actually try it yourself?

Yes. Once plugged back in, it will close the flap.

[bimmerdriver2]

Originally Posted by CRuben09

Yes. Once plugged back in, it will close the flap.

Thank you for the reply.

[dvno]

Originally Posted by CRuben09

Sorry to revive this old thread. I just bought a 2019 X1 S28i for my wife, and was looking through the forum how to get the flap in the open position. I own another BMW SAV and in my case I just put the car in Sport Plus and the flap opens and stay like that as long sport plus is active.

In the x1 case it doesn't work like that (as mentioned in previous posts). So I turned off the vehicle, got a flat screwdriver and some electrical tape. I went under the rear muffler, and pry open the flap manually with the screwdriver (manipulating the C clamp under the actuator), don't get nervous by applying some force to it, then disconnect the actuator plug, wrap the end with electrical tape, and put it on again (it won't make contact, and the cable would not be loose) and voila! Exhaust flap open under 3 minutes. Let me know if you have any doubts. So far 20 miles and no issues

This was perfect thanks! Took me about 10 minutes after thinking I was gonna break something!

Worked like a champ and cold start is slightly more "masculine". Haven't driven it yet, though!

[CRuben09]

Originally Posted by dvno

This was perfect thanks! Took me about 10 minutes after thinking I was gonna break something!

Worked like a champ and cold start is slightly more "masculine". Haven't driven it yet, though!

I'm glad it work great for you. The sound difference alone is totally worth it, specially on low rpms. You'll see the difference.

I got nervous too when applying some force, it gets a bit tight due to the actuator.

[CRuben09]

Originally Posted by dvno

This was perfect thanks! Took me about 10 minutes after thinking I was gonna break something!

Worked like a champ and cold start is slightly more "masculine". Haven't driven it yet, though!

I'm glad it work great for you. The sound difference alone is totally worth it, specially on low rpms. You'll see the difference.

I got nervous too when applying some force, it gets a bit tight due to the actuator.

[bimmerdriver2]

I finally got around to installing the dummy plugs. I tried to force open the flap with the actuator mounted on the vehicle, but I ended up removing it and rotating the shaft off the vehicle. I held the actuator in my hand and pried on the shaft with a large flat-blade screwdriver. I applied pressure gradually and noticed there eventually was some play in the shaft, as if a coupling was flexing. I kept prying on and off then it finally gave and rotated approximately 15 degrees. I applied force again and it did the same thing. I repeated that until the shaft was oriented 90 degrees from the original position. Without opening the unit up, it's hard to tell what's going on, but I think the shaft was skipping on a flexible coupling rather than the actuator turning. I doubt this is very good for it, but it's open. When I put the actuator back on the vehicle, it lined up perfectly.

After all that, it unfortunately didn't seem much louder than before at idle. Hopefully it will sound a bit louder when I'm driving.

[CRuben09]

Originally Posted by bimmerdriver2

I finally got around to installing the dummy plugs. I tried to force open the flap with the actuator mounted on the vehicle, but I ended up removing it and rotating the shaft off the vehicle. I held the actuator in my hand and pried on the shaft with a large flat-blade screwdriver. I applied pressure gradually and noticed there eventually was some play in the shaft, as if a coupling was flexing. I kept prying on and off then it finally gave and rotated approximately 15 degrees. I applied force again and it did the same thing. I repeated that until the shaft was oriented 90 degrees from the original position. Without opening the unit up, it's hard to tell what's going on, but I think the shaft was skipping on a flexible coupling rather than the actuator turning. I doubt this is very good for it, but it's open. When I put the actuator back on the vehicle, it lined up perfectly.

After all that, it unfortunately didn't seem much louder than before at idle. Hopefully it will sound a bit louder when I'm driving.

It will never be more loud. It will be a more deeper sound on low RPMs.

[bimmerdriver2]

Originally Posted by CRuben09

It will never be more loud. It will be a more deeper sound on low RPMs.

I drove it today. It is slightly deeper at low RPM, as you describe.