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Subject: E30 / E28 central locking FAQ Author: ambishop as Martin : member since December, 2003 : 3238 posts Posted on: 2005-01-13 21:40:10

E30 / E28 central locking FAQ
Prepared by Christopher A. Pawlowicz (chrisp@doe.carleton.ca)

(If you'd like this emailed to you via within minutes, send a blank email to centrallock@mesaperformance.com)



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This FAQ covers central locking on E30 (3 series '84-'91) and E28 (5 series '82-'88) cars. It also seems to apply to E24 (6 series '76-'89) and maybe other.



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1.0 Introduction

2.0 Functional Overview

3.0 Common Problems and how to fix them

4.0 4.0 Related Accessories

5.0 Door Lock Repair Kit Instructions

6.0 Central locking troubleshooting guide (by Jim Conforti)



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1.0 Introduction

Lock system/ production years/ models:

Central locking was standard, but early models ( upper lower

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drivers door White Red

passenger Red Red

rear doors Red White

trunk White Red




Central locking works but unlocks a second or two later.

If you lock the doors and they unlock again almost immediately it is because there is a problem. A motor is dead or something is jammed. The central locking is telling you that everything is not locking properly.

Find out if all motors work, make sure there are no bent rods or things jamming the mechanism.




Getting inside a door and removing the door lock cylinder

remove arm rest ( 2 screws )

remove power mirror control (pull out) and remove screw in behind

remove door lock button

remove door latch trim piece (push to the right or left and it should pop off)

pull panel away from door sides and bottom. I use my fingers. It will pop out plastic snaps. Lift panel up to detach lip from top of door.

peel back sticky plastic barrier

now, a 2 door has much more room inside than a 4 door. either way, if you remove the bottom nut on the window channel you can move the channel around to get it out of the way.

Outside the door undo the screws holding the handle on. Inside the door undo the two bolts holding the handle mechanism to the door. Wiggle and swear until you remove the mechanism.

You then have free access to the door lock cylinder. There is a 'clip' which pulls off to the right. Once that is off, the cylinder can be removed from outside of the door.

Many people have then found that the cylinder mechanism has

a) a bent arm - they bent it straight and it worked fine after that

b) a cracked arm - replace cylinder assembly

c) weak springs (put key in and try out the mechanism)

d) something else broken.

You can also check your latch mechanism still inside the door - it should work freely with no binding.



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4.0 Related Accessories


Alarm

BMW Factory alarm consists of hood sensor, trunk sensor, door sensors, ultrasonic motion sensor. It arms when the double lock is activated. It includes an ignition kill, flashes the lights, and honks the horn when triggered.


Door lock heater

Often disconnected, broken, or stuck in the 'on' position leading to possible fire. When pulling up on drivers side door latch, a ground connection is made at the heater module. This signals the central locking to send 12V to a resistor mounted in the clip holding the lock cylinder to the car. To operate: lift and hold latch.


Interior light with delay

Mounted in place of door lock heater. When handle is lifted for entry to car, a timer is set to keep interior lights on for a short amount of time.




Door Lock Repair Kit Instructions

Remove door lock cylinder as previously described. BMW instructions are as follows:

Before assembling, fill the lock channels of the key cylinder with the enclosed lubricant.

Insert the lock and the lock springs corresponding to the code list or the key in question.

Build the lock cylinder according to the drawing.

Hints:

To make assembly easier, grease the roller and the accompanying 'N'.

Lead the 'N' into the leading ring.

Pay attention to the lock in the cylinder.

Carefully with light hammer blows, lead it in.

Put the dead-point-spring in place and tighten.




Central locking troubleshooting guide (by Jim Conforti)

Start with doors unlocked and all windows open

NOTE: NEVER CONNECT OR DISCONNECT THE CONTROL UNIT UNLESS BATTERY POWER IS REMOVED!!

Operation Response Action



1. DDL to lock All doors lock Goto OP #2

Some doors Lock R/R suspect Door Lock Motor ckt.

No doors Lock Goto OP #4



2. DDL to deadbolt All doors double lock Goto OP #3

Drivers and SOME others dbl lock R/R suspect Door Lock Motor

Drivers ONLY dbl locks Perform TEST B

Drivers does NOT dbl lock Mechanical Problem



3. DDL to unlock All doors unlock Goto OP #4

Some doors unlock R/R suspect Door Lock Motor ckt.

No doors unlock Goto OP #5



4. PDL to lock All doors lock If doors did not lock in OP #1 R/R

DD lock switch

else Goto OP #5

Some doors lock R/R suspect Door Lock Motor ckt

No doors lock If doors locked in OP #1 R/R PD microswitch

If doors did not lock in OP #1 perform TEST A



5. PDL to lock All doors unlock If doors did not unlock in OP #3 R/R DD lock switch

else Goto OP #6

Some doors unlock R/R suspect Door Lock Motor No doors unlock If

doors unlocked in OP #3 R/R PD Lock Switch

if doors did not unlock in OP #3 perform TEST C



6. Get in car, close/lock all Doors remain locked Goto OP #7

doors, IGN to RUN Doors Unlock R/R Central Locking control unit



7. Get out, DDL to lock All doors can be unlocked Goto OP #8

Unlock each door by All doors remain secure Disconnect connector from

control unit and check pulling up button for short to ground at terminal #11

if short, find it!, if not R/R Control Unit



8. Trunk lock to LOCK Trunk Locks Goto OP #9

Trunk does not lock If doors lock, R/R Trunk lock motor and/or circuit

If doors do not lock R/R Trunck lock switch

R/R Control Unit if switch and circuit are OK



9. Trunk lock to UNLOCK Trunk unlocks Goto OP #10

Trunk does not unlock If doors unlock, R/R Trunk lock motor and/or circuit

If doors do not unlock, R/R Trunk lock switch

R/R Control Unit if switch and circuit are OK



10. Turn key back to LOCK Gas filler locks Goto OP #11

Gas filler does not lock R/R Gas Filler Motor ckt.



11. Turn key to unlock Gas filler unlocks Done, No faults!

Gas filler does not unlock R/R Gas Filler Motor ckt.




TEST A.



Measure Voltage at Control Unit Connector w/ Control Unit Connected

Term 3 and Ground should be battery, else check wire to Term 3 for open

Term 3 & 4 should be battery, else check wire from Term 4 for open to

ground



Jumper between Term 7 and ground, if doors lock R/R switches and related

wiring else ...



Disc. battery, remove Control Unit and reconnect Batt. jumper 1 & 3

together, now jumper 2 & 4 together if doors lock, R/R Control unit, else

check wires on Term. 1 & 3 for opens (see schematic)




TEST B.

With Control Unit connected, jumper between 10 & ground doors should double

lock, if not, check wires to Term. 11 for opens and R/R Control Unit if no

opens found. If doors DO double lock, check wires to Term 10 for open and

R/R Unlock Inhibit Switch if wire OK.




TEST C



With Control Unit connected, Jumper 6 & ground. If doors unlock, R/R

switches and related wiring (see schematic) if doors do NOT unlock R/R

Control Unit.


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• E30 / E28 central locking FAQ - Martin 2005-01-13 21:40:10 (8818 views)