Can't open my doors - BMW Forum

maci4life · 08-23-2004, 03:34 PM

New to the board. hi to all.

here the issue. i have a 1990 525i, with an alarm. I've been riding my bike for 5 weeks straight and now when i tried to get into the car the doors won't open, and the alarm light is off ( normally flashing ). I would assume that it's a dead battery. The problem is that the door locks are all power so when you try to unlock the car you get no doors opening. I can open the trunk but not the rest of the locks. I can't boost the car, cause i can't open the doors. What was BMW thinking with this one. Usually atleast one lock from cars with power door locks can be physically opened with a key ( probably for issues just like these) on other car companies. Is there another way of opening the doors?? or will i have to try to break into the car??

BeelZibub · 08-23-2004, 04:35 PM

I can't for the life of me think why you can't open the door with the key - if this wasn't meant to be possible why would there be a key hole?

Has the car had the door locks or ignition barrel changed in the past for some reason? (ie. they don't match the key - I've never bothered putting the key in the hole so I just assume mine works)

I don't know about your e34 model but the e39 battery is in the boot anyway.

Hope you get it sorted and when you do post the solution I'm intrigued.

Bear · 08-23-2004, 04:40 PM

No fun but try this. open trunk and access the license plate light wiring and apply 12v (donor battery ) to the wiring and see if that works. I have a 1988 750 and I have attached a piece of wire from the hood opening cable (right at the locking jaw under hood) and run the cable out through the grill adjacent to the headlight so if this occurs I can just yank the wire and pop the hood. Another thought is to jack her up and put a jumper cable positive lead from a loaner battery to the starter cable bolt on starter (the big fat one) and other cable to ground.

maci4life · 08-23-2004, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bear@Aug 23 2004, 04:20 PM
No fun but try this. open trunk and access the license plate light wiring and apply 12v (donor battery ) to the wiring and see if that works. I have a 1988 750 and I have attached a piece of wire from the hood opening cable (right at the locking jaw under hood) and run the cable out through the grill adjacent to the headlight so if this occurs I can just yank the wire and pop the hood. Another thought is to jack her up and put a jumper cable positive lead from a loaner battery to the starter cable bolt on starter (the big fat one) and other cable to ground.

those are some good ideas. I can open the trunk so id' just have to get to an electrical source and give it some juice from a battery?? wouldn't the electricity damage the system??

"I can't for the life of me think why you can't open the door with the key - if this wasn't meant to be possible why would there be a key hole?"

I don't know either. the lock on these cars seems to need electricity to open the locks. i've turned them right over ( opening and closing) not a movement at all. I can tell there's no juice because of the alarm being off.

i was thinking to just get to the trunk, take off the liner and turn the lock from the inside, but there's no power so it's won't open the locks.

I can add a voltage to the system through a light. the question is, will the voltage going through the system damage anything ( cause you're obviously bypassing fuses by connecting it his way). the starter idea could work though.

LOS · 08-23-2004, 06:28 PM

try this....

Go to the front passanger door (OR IS IT THE DRIVER'S SIDE??), lift the handle and turn the key while holding the handle up... it should work

LOS

maci4life · 08-23-2004, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOS@Aug 23 2004, 06:08 PM
try this....

Go to the front passanger door (OR IS IT THE DRIVER'S SIDE??), lift the handle and turn the key while holding the handle up... it should work

LOS

I'll try both thanx.

numberthree_ · 08-23-2004, 08:11 PM

yep.. passenger side door.. if lifted on the handle and the key turned (not sure which way so play around with it) it should open right up.. i dont see why the driver's side doesnt open up at all.. thats weird.. mine opens it without power. well at least one of the doors.

sp0rky · 08-23-2004, 11:27 PM

yep yep.. passenger side door while holding the handle up is the manual release.

the key wont open the doors because the locks are electronic. the e39 is the same way. So when the battery dies, the electronics can't function. Having a key hole doesnt mean its a manual lock.

BeelZibub · 08-24-2004, 04:28 AM

No but every other car I've owned with central locking, still undo without power for this very reason. Maybe there are differences between euro and US systems, I know there is on other security features (immobiliser/alarm etc.), In fact I think I remember reading there is a difference in the locking.

maci4life · 08-24-2004, 05:05 PM

Tried it on the passenger door and it worked!! thanx for the help.

finally a site that has knowlegable people about the cars, and not posts about who or what they spotted on the highway, or where to meet and pose.