E34 535i questions - central locking and clutch

[mat1227]

I picked up my first BMW yesterday, a 1988 535i and so far I love it. I have a couple of questions if I may rack the brains of the PH collective?

- first off, the passenger's side door won't stay locked? Is there anything I can do to override the central locking and secure the car in lieu of a more lasting solution? The previous owner used some sort of trick involving the handle and a couple of key turns either way to get into the door when the battery went flat and he couldn't get in due to central locking, I wonder if this caused my issues?

- also, the clutch is rather noisy when the pedal is depressed, the noise changes with engine revs - a mechanical friction noise that doesn't sound catastrophic but is noticable. The clutch behaves perfectly beyond this. Is this something terminal to worry about asap, or more something that will get gradually worse but doesn't need urgent attention? It's not bothering me but I thought I'd check it's nothing serious

Thanks guys! Other than that my first impressions of the big BM are very positive, handles brilliantly and I love the torque of the engine. Comfy too

some pics - a fine line, but I think it's just the right side of chav..

[Ean218]

To sort out the central locking look at the following page:

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/Locked.htm

You probably just need to synchronise the locks.
Despite what it says this only works on the front passenger door.

No idea about the clutch but I find the info here very helpful:

http://www.e38.org/e34/

[mat1227]

Thanks ean - just spent ages trying every combination described on the link with no joy. The little knob (for want of a better word) goes up and down with the central locking as it should, and the mechanics sound like they are working within the offending passenger door but whatever I use the outside handle it opens the door regardless.

Is there any way I can override the central locking and secure the door? It's driving me nuts I just want to get it in state where no-one can get in

[Ean218]

Plan B

You will have to get inside the door and find the offending part.
This should help to see how it all works.

http://evansweb.info/articles/2003/01/18/door-lock...

[mat1227]

Thanks for that, much appreciated. Looks rather involved for a cackhanded chap such as myself..