Temperamental Central Locking!?

[BlueNGT]

I've owned my E46 320d (sport of it makes any difference) for a few weeks now and notice the remote central locking doesnt always work.

The car locks OK every time but its the unlocking that doesnt always work - not convenient as you can imagine. It tends to work if I press the centre button to lock the car again and then the unlock button it straight away. Also find that the button inside the car is a bit hit and miss too!

anybody experienced similar and have any remedy?

Thanks in advance

[anonymous-user]

I picked up a 330ci the other week. Lovely car but it also has few electrical 'gremlins'. Try removing the negative off the battery for 15 mins or so - this resets all the electrics on the car and can sort out niggles....

[BlueNGT]

Will try that. Its only just started happening, did think for a bit that maybe the Key wasnt charged up as I havent done many miles in it...but have done 200 miles in it today and still got the problem.

[BlueNGT]

Havent been able to disconnect the battery yet but have read on other threads that it can be a Central Locking system failure which requires Main Dealer only parts (new Keys) and work!?

Anybody had to do the same?

[french]

Had this on another car ,turned out it was the C\locking solenoid ?

[Polar]

I've also got this problem on another car (Chrysler Voyager) and it's driving me insane, I even managed to lock the keys in the car... luckily it was on the drive at home.

[Speed addicted]

My E46 had the same problem, it was the lock solinoid in the door.

[bazking69]

Mine does exactly the same thing too intermittently. You have to lock it again and unlock it quickly and the interior button pops up second time around.
Doesn't really bother me as it works more often than not.

[acquiescence]

I had this on my old 330 too. It is definately the door actuator. About £80 from BMW I think I recall.

[BlueNGT]

acquiescence said:

I had this on my old 330 too. It is definately the door actuator. About £80 from BMW I think I recall.

This sounds about right as the Key must deactivate the Alarm as the interior light comes on but the doors just dont unlock!

Is it something that a Main Dealer has to do or can any garage do the work?

[acquiescence]

BlueNGT said:

acquiescence said:

I had this on my old 330 too. It is definately the door actuator. About £80 from BMW I think I recall.

This sounds about right as the Key must deactivate the Alarm as the interior light comes on but the doors just dont unlock!

Is it something that a Main Dealer has to do or can any garage do the work?

Yes, any garage can do it. Indeed you can do it yourself. Need to take out the inner door upholstery and remove (about 5 allen heads) the actuator. Unhooking mechanical links for lock to handles etc and just reverse this process to refit.

Edited by acquiescence on Friday 24th October 11:38