Door Pops Open while Driving! Central Locking? Help!!!

[eMPHAsis]

Hey guys. I've had my e30 for about a month now.

Ever since I bought the car, i've been having some issues with the doors.

Symptoms:
-Master Key won't open or lock driver's side door...At all. (key hole is stuck sideways instead of vertically/straight up)

-The passenger door can be locked and unlocked with the key, but it feels really stiff. Almost as if one of these days I'ma be locked out

-Trunk seems to locks and unlocks with keys properly.

Engine is turn key. I had BMW send me a copy of the original key, since my copy was kind of worn. So we can rule that out.


Moreover recently: My driver side door flings open on hard rights and over bumps. This happens really sporadically.
It's hard to predict which bumps or turns will set it off.


Luckily it's on my driver's side, so I can slam it shut when it happens.
Still not very convenient though.


I'm not completely sure if the door will fly open at highway speeds, or just remain open.

It looks like if i keep the door locked, it won't fly open completely, just stays slightly ajar... But I don't want to risk a crash or injury.


I'm planning on taking it to the e30 specialist today, but was hoping to get some input on this one first...

[eMPHAsis]

Also, agaisn't my wishes, my dad added some wd40 inside the key holes, this weekend.

The door had never swung open before that.

Wondering if the wd40 could have something to to with the door opening while driving
...-___-

[Lord Vader]

WD-40 in the key hole itself wouldnt effect the door. You need to look at the door latch, and door striker as those are what hold the door on. Something with the latch mechanism is not working, or releasing when it clearly shouldnt. You will have to take off the door panel to remove it.

On the plus side, a new door catch isnt very expensive, but replacing them is difficult as its quite cramped inside the door.

[eMPHAsis]

Thanks for the response. I was wondering if maybe there was a link/tut. on how to remove the door panels without breaking the clips?

This will be my first time removing the door panels.

I was thinking of just going to the junk yard to practice on one of their cars lol

[Lord Vader]

Their are a few tutorials out their, just good E30 door panel removal DIY. It's not that complicated, but it's recommended you pick up a trim removal tool so that you don't scratch the paint. I bought one one recently for this purpose because their made of plastic. Honestly of you break a clip don't worry to much. 20 year old bits of plastic tend to do that, and their are replacements available.

Do you have a coupe or sedan?

[eMPHAsis]

Thanks a bunch. I'll look into the tool kit and vidoes today!

Ive got a sedan

[Lord Vader]

Stupid auto correct i meabt to say Google, not goiod, sorry.

I picked up a 5 peice trim removal set for $15 so their not expensive. Most major auto parts stores carry them.

I asked because sedan and coupe doors are actually different. The process is pretty much the same, the but the dimensions of the door are different.