3 Series Flat Battery - Cannot Get Into Car
Discussion
I think late 98' cars had the battery in the boot (sorry - I know you know where your battery is..)if so can you open the boot with the key?
I hear holding the key to the left in the door lock then swiftly the other way may open the door (no experience, just read it somewhere).
I hear holding the key to the left in the door lock then swiftly the other way may open the door (no experience, just read it somewhere).
Edited by chrisx666 on Friday 4th January 10:18
E34s do this too and the standard trick is:
1. Open boot with key
2. remove one of the boot courtesy light bulbs (because these are switched directly off a live feed)
3. Connect a trickle charger to the terminals - a voltmeter will soon tell you which way round.
After about 5-10mins the battery should pick up enough charge to unlock the doors.
HTH.
1. Open boot with key
2. remove one of the boot courtesy light bulbs (because these are switched directly off a live feed)
3. Connect a trickle charger to the terminals - a voltmeter will soon tell you which way round.
After about 5-10mins the battery should pick up enough charge to unlock the doors.
HTH.
Sorted - thank you.
Battery is under the bonnet so opening the boot wasnt much use although I did find a bottle of Baileys I bought before Christmas & had forgotten about.....
Couldn't get into the car at all as the key wouldn't pop the lock. Thankfully I have a helpful mechanic who got the door opened within seconds.
Not sure how he did it so decided best not to ask. I know he didn't use the key as I had it in my hand when he opened the door!
Charged now & all seems ok. However tomorrow morning, when I leave for work at 5.30am, will be interesting!
Battery is under the bonnet so opening the boot wasnt much use although I did find a bottle of Baileys I bought before Christmas & had forgotten about.....
Couldn't get into the car at all as the key wouldn't pop the lock. Thankfully I have a helpful mechanic who got the door opened within seconds.
Not sure how he did it so decided best not to ask. I know he didn't use the key as I had it in my hand when he opened the door!
Charged now & all seems ok. However tomorrow morning, when I leave for work at 5.30am, will be interesting!
RoverP6B said:
Sorry for necroposting, but I have this same issue with my E66 760Li luxo-shítbox. Cannot get the key to turn either lock barrel (driver's door, bootlid). Battery completely flat. The thing has been laid up for a while owing to the pandemic and a misfire on all twelve...
You'll be able to get to the charging points under the engine IIRC; attach power to those to at least let you use the electrics to open the door etc..This is a trick used on the E39s and I'm sure it's the same for the E6x range too
d_a_n1979 said:
RoverP6B said:
Sorry for necroposting, but I have this same issue with my E66 760Li luxo-shítbox. Cannot get the key to turn either lock barrel (driver's door, bootlid). Battery completely flat. The thing has been laid up for a while owing to the pandemic and a misfire on all twelve...
You'll be able to get to the charging points under the engine IIRC; attach power to those to at least let you use the electrics to open the door etc..This is a trick used on the E39s and I'm sure it's the same for the E6x range too
naturalaspiration said:
d_a_n1979 said:
RoverP6B said:
Sorry for necroposting, but I have this same issue with my E66 760Li luxo-shítbox. Cannot get the key to turn either lock barrel (driver's door, bootlid). Battery completely flat. The thing has been laid up for a while owing to the pandemic and a misfire on all twelve...
You'll be able to get to the charging points under the engine IIRC; attach power to those to at least let you use the electrics to open the door etc..This is a trick used on the E39s and I'm sure it's the same for the E6x range too
So used to having no lock access on my E39 touring!However, if the battery is absolutely flat; from memory, this'll stop any locks working, so it'll still need power
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Monday 26th April 10:18
I am quite certain that the locks failing to turn is an electrical rather than mechanical issue. There are a few degrees of play, as you would expect, but they then stop dead at the point of engagement.
With a Touring, I suppose BMW expect you to go in from the driver's door, the boot being open to the cabin, whereas BMW saloons usually have a solid steel rear bulkhead. Both mine do, anyway.
With a Touring, I suppose BMW expect you to go in from the driver's door, the boot being open to the cabin, whereas BMW saloons usually have a solid steel rear bulkhead. Both mine do, anyway.
RoverP6B said:
I am quite certain that the locks failing to turn is an electrical rather than mechanical issue. There are a few degrees of play, as you would expect, but they then stop dead at the point of engagement.
With a Touring, I suppose BMW expect you to go in from the driver's door, the boot being open to the cabin, whereas BMW saloons usually have a solid steel rear bulkhead. Both mine do, anyway.
Yes; the tourings usually have a pull cord in the tailgate section, so you can open it from the inside...With a Touring, I suppose BMW expect you to go in from the driver's door, the boot being open to the cabin, whereas BMW saloons usually have a solid steel rear bulkhead. Both mine do, anyway.
But like you said; if the battery is absolutely dead, power is still needed from an external source etc...
d_a_n1979 said:
Completely forgot that re my E65 So used to having no lock access on my E39 touring!
However, if the battery is absolutely flat; from memory, this'll stop any locks working, so it'll still need power
Thankfully the boot lock works on the key even with the battery disconnected. Door should too but don't recall trying that. So used to having no lock access on my E39 touring!However, if the battery is absolutely flat; from memory, this'll stop any locks working, so it'll still need power
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Monday 26th April 10:18
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