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Car Forum / BMW Cars / January 2006

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89 BMW 325ic key won't open lock

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rnewhouse@mcg.net - 23 Jan 2006 17:23 GMT
I locked my 325ic with a key tonight and when it turned to the lock
position, it then went one step further to the far right. Now it is
locked in that position and my key can't unlock it. Someone told me
it's an automatic deadbolt lock and I tried lifting the door handle
as I turned the key but to no avail. Does anybody know how to unlock
it? I called one dealership and they said it doesn't have a deadbolt
system. The other said it did and to lift up on the handle. Another
said to somehow open the hood and disconnect the battery. Another said
to kick the front bumper simulating an accident and all locks would
open. Does anybody know if this has a deadbolt that I can override or
is it just broken?  
Thanks for any help
Robert C (rnewhouse@mcg.net)
Fred W - 23 Jan 2006 17:26 GMT
> I locked my 325ic with a key tonight and when it turned to the lock
> position, it then went one step further to the far right. Now it is
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks for any help
> Robert C (rnewhouse@mcg.net)

The deadbolt they are talking about is called "double locking" but your
key should be able to undo it.

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-Fred W

rnewhouse@mcg.net - 23 Jan 2006 17:42 GMT
Fred,
If the key doesn't open it normally, do you know any "tricks" to open
it?
Josh Assing - 23 Jan 2006 18:12 GMT
The "lift the handle" trick only works on the passenger side door --- AFAIK

>Fred,
>If the key doesn't open it normally, do you know any "tricks" to open
>it?

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Fred W - 23 Jan 2006 18:24 GMT
> The "lift the handle" trick only works on the passenger side door --- AFAIK
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
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Yes, I recall that too.

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-Fred W

Fred W - 23 Jan 2006 18:33 GMT
>> The "lift the handle" trick only works on the passenger side door ---
>> AFAIK
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Yes, I recall that too.

Here's a link to an E30 central locking troubleshooting FAQ

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e30/interior/door_locks/e30_central_lock_faq.html

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-Fred W

rnewhouse@mcg.net - 23 Jan 2006 20:24 GMT
That's a great link and I should find an answer in there somewhere. My
only problem is if I have to remove the door panel to get at the lock
cylinder, how do I get inside the car in the first place?  Right now
the only thing I can think of is to break the passenger window and
crawl through? Before I do that I'll check and see if the fuse is good.
(I got the hood opened from the outside) Thanks Fred
Fred W - 23 Jan 2006 18:23 GMT
> Fred,
> If the key doesn't open it normally, do you know any "tricks" to open
> it?

Have you tried the passenger door?

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-Fred W

rnewhouse@mcg.net - 23 Jan 2006 20:27 GMT
I tried the passenger door trick and it didn't work either. Hmmm.Since
I bought this car used I wonder if the key I have may be the valet key
(except it opens the trunk and locks it just fine, but opening the
trunck with that key does not unlock the doors)
Josh Assing - 23 Jan 2006 20:53 GMT
if your doors are double locked; the valet key will do nothing.


>I tried the passenger door trick and it didn't work either. Hmmm.Since
>I bought this car used I wonder if the key I have may be the valet key
>(except it opens the trunk and locks it just fine, but opening the
>trunck with that key does not unlock the doors)

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Lemuel Johnson - 23 Jan 2006 21:16 GMT
> I tried the passenger door trick and it didn't work either. Hmmm.Since
> I bought this car used I wonder if the key I have may be the valet key
> (except it opens the trunk and locks it just fine, but opening the
> trunck with that key does not unlock the doors)

I was able to unlock the doors on my 88 325iS from the trunk lock using
the master key.  I assume this would be true for an 89 IF you really
have the master key AND your battery isn't kaput.  Have you checked the
voltage at the "jump" terminal under the hood?

Lemuel Johnson
dave - 23 Jan 2006 23:52 GMT
ive gotten in my 88 325is by using a triangular wooden "wedge" to pry
the door open enough to get a coat hanger through and pop the lock
knob(won't say which idiot locked the keys in it lol)...gl...dave

> I tried the passenger door trick and it didn't work either. Hmmm.Since
> I bought this car used I wonder if the key I have may be the valet key
> (except it opens the trunk and locks it just fine, but opening the
> trunck with that key does not unlock the doors)
rnewhouse@mcg.net - 24 Jan 2006 00:12 GMT
Well, my battery is good, fuse is good and key still cannot unlock the
door. I called one dealership and the service guy said BMW's didn't
have a double lock system. The parts dept at the other BMW dealer said
a "slimjim" would easily work to open the door. He said the 325 BMW is
the easiest car on the road to break into. Other guys say he doesn't
know what he's talking about. I'm amazed at the variety of conflicting
info I get from those guys.

I'm willing to try your suggestion but I'm not sure I fully understand
it. The wedge goes where? Between the window and the outside panel OR
between the door and the rear fender? Where is the "lock knob" located
and just how does one pop it? Thanks for helping.

I've got my brick ready and am about to break a window so at least I
can get in it, but I'm hoping to avoid that - I live in Minnesota and
it's winter !
Josh Assing - 24 Jan 2006 01:00 GMT
>door. I called one dealership and the service guy said BMW's didn't
>have a double lock system. The parts dept at the other BMW dealer said
>a "slimjim" would easily work to open the door. He said the 325 BMW is

Just so we know to steer clear of these two dealerships -- who were they?

>I've got my brick ready and am about to break a window so at least I

Price the window first before you break it...   If you're really going to go
that route -- get a window repair man there & repalce your windshield -- some
insurance companys pay for it if there's a "ding" in teh windshield (hint: check
with your insurance before you put a ding in it)

When the glass guy pulls the windshield off; climb in; get your owners manual;
read it; and realize you do have a double lock system & then open the door from
the inside.

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rnewhouse@mcg.net - 24 Jan 2006 04:50 GMT
The first was Motorworks in Bloomington. (I've had diagnostic problems
with them before)
The other was the parts dept at Sears Import. These are the only two
BMW dealerships I know of in the Minneapolis area.

If I could get inside, should I be able to pull the handle and open the
door or does the double locking system prevent even that? Just curious.
Josh Assing - 24 Jan 2006 12:27 GMT
>The first was Motorworks in Bloomington. (I've had diagnostic problems
>with them before)
>The other was the parts dept at Sears Import. These are the only two
>BMW dealerships I know of in the Minneapolis area.

Those in Minneapolis area -- take note.

>If I could get inside, should I be able to pull the handle and open the
>door or does the double locking system prevent even that? Just curious.

I think the drivers door will open; but I'm not 100% sure -- and it's too early
to go to the car to lock myself in ;-)

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Fred W - 24 Jan 2006 12:50 GMT
> The first was Motorworks in Bloomington. (I've had diagnostic problems
> with them before)
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> If I could get inside, should I be able to pull the handle and open the
> door or does the double locking system prevent even that? Just curious.

Yes, the double locking prevents the doors from being opened from the
inside, so breaking the glass does nothing unless you want to climb
through the broken window...

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-Fred W

rnewhouse@mcg.net - 24 Jan 2006 15:45 GMT
Thanks for helping me avoid the pain of broken glass imbedded in my
legs. So, right now the only option I can come up with is that the
tumblers have broken inside the lock cylinder. If I drill out the lock
cylinder and the tumblers fall apart, will the door then open by
lifting up on the handle from the outside?
Fred W - 24 Jan 2006 18:39 GMT
> Thanks for helping me avoid the pain of broken glass imbedded in my
> legs. So, right now the only option I can come up with is that the
> tumblers have broken inside the lock cylinder. If I drill out the lock
> cylinder and the tumblers fall apart, will the door then open by
> lifting up on the handle from the outside?

I don't know for sure...  Let's go over all the info from the
Troubleshooting FAQ again...

"If the car is double-locked, the passengers' door double-lock motor
prevents the key lock from being rotated so the car can only be unlocked
from the driver's door. "

"Unlocking a double-locked car: This action can only be initiated from
the driver's door key lock. When the key is rotated CCW from its
double-locked position, it releases the ground connection of the unlock
inhibit microswitch. (Actually, once this is done, the trunk key lock
can also be used to unlock the car.) "

Since you cannot move the drivers lock at all, you will never be able to
get out of the "double lock" mode.  Also, since you used your key to put
the car into double-lock, the same key should be capable of undoing it.
 You are using the same key, right?  The part of the key that engages
the double lock is the tip.  Is the key worn at all?

One thing that you could try is to get a new key made from the
dealership from scratch.  That would certainly be worth a shot.

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-Fred W

Psycho - 24 Jan 2006 20:09 GMT
>Thanks for helping me avoid the pain of broken glass imbedded in my
>legs. So, right now the only option I can come up with is that the
>tumblers have broken inside the lock cylinder. If I drill out the lock
>cylinder and the tumblers fall apart, will the door then open by
>lifting up on the handle from the outside?

 There is a lever on the back of the lock cylinder that actually
binds the mechanism in the door. Another part of that lever assembly
closes a switch that locks the central locking controller. If you can
drill out the lock, you can dislodge these components and then unlock
the doors from the trunk. The switch is what keeps the door(s) other
than the drivers door from unlocking. My son's 87 325is driver's side
lock is only there for looks, the lever assembly broke and therefore
the whole lock is useless. He just locks the car from the trunk.
Fred W - 24 Jan 2006 02:10 GMT
> Well, my battery is good, fuse is good and key still cannot unlock the
> door. I called one dealership and the service guy said BMW's didn't
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> can get in it, but I'm hoping to avoid that - I live in Minnesota and
> it's winter !

Any BMW dealership that said BMW never had a double lock system is just
stupid and does not deserve a single dime of your hard earned money.
The link I provided describes exactly the features of the E30 central
locking and mechanical locking and there most certainly is double locking...

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-Fred W

 
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