Random Door Unlock Issue, Central Locking Button Not Working?

[Len]

Hi,


I posted about this about a year ago but was not driving the e53 often at the time. Recently started daily driving it and starting to have issues. I have a passenger on my morning commute and bags go in the rear so all doors get opened. When getting into the car I've started having issues with the rear doors not unlocking half the time, and it's getting worse. Interestingly I also noticed the central locking button won't work when this happens. A bunch of lock/unlocks later and they finally open. Worried that I'm wearing out the front actuators trying to get the rears to unlock. I don't think it's the rear actuators since both fail at the same time. I read on other threads that it could be the general module but surprised that door locks would be the only noticeable issue caused by this? Also wanted to mention I use the I-BUS app and had a battery drain issue due to it around 8 or 9 months ago which was solved by resetting the app. I don't think it's likely but maybe the app is causing issues again?


Another issue I had today was my passenger couldn't open the door and pulled the handle about 5-7 times before it randomly opened. I'm not 100% sure that this was not user error (lol) but if it happens again I'll make sure to update the thread. IIRC the door lock indicator was up but months ago I did have issues with the passenger door lock which I think is the actuator.



Would really appreciate the help if anyone knows what's going on with the rear doors!


Thanks!

[Len]

Update: Just realized that the central locking button doesn't seem to work if any of the doors are open. I had the driver door open when I checked earlier and just got the same result with passenger door open so assuming this is normal operation and not related to the issue.

[andrewwynn]

Motors in the lock actuators are worn out.

They are about $230@ or $12 and 90 minutes to rebuild with new motors.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Len

Update: Just realized that the central locking button doesn't seem to work if any of the doors are open. I had the driver door open when I checked earlier and just got the same result with passenger door open so assuming this is normal operation and not related to the issue.

That is correct. You cannot lock when door is open


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Effduration]

Not sure its your issue, but the hazard flasher/central locking button often fails. the bottom literally breaks off.. Do your hazards work? If not, pull it out and re-glue the bottom with super glue, supported with duct or elect tape.

[andrewwynn]

Do a little more investigation; can you open the door from the inside when the door won't open from the outside? (Roll down the window to test). You can determine if the door actuator is getting the command to remove the double lock.

Auto locking doors will break the lock motors much faster than if you don't. Wife's car killed all four before it was 17 years old and mine is 20+ and one works 80-90% of the time the rest all still work.

[Len]

Originally Posted by Effduration

Not sure its your issue, but the hazard flasher/central locking button often fails. the bottom literally breaks off.. Do your hazards work? If not, pull it out and re-glue the bottom with super glue, supported with duct or elect tape.

Actually I checked last night by coincidence and the hazards work fine. Thanks for the suggestion though !

[Len]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Do a little more investigation; can you open the door from the inside when the door won't open from the outside? (Roll down the window to test). You can determine if the door actuator is getting the command to remove the double lock.

Auto locking doors will break the lock motors much faster than if you don't. Wife's car killed all four before it was 17 years old and mine is 20+ and one works 80-90% of the time the rest all still work.

I went out to investigate last night but of course everything decided to work perfectly. Unlocked and locked about 5 times over 10-15 mins and it worked every time lol. Thanks for the help. I’ll make sure to check next time it happens. Could it still be the actuators even though it is consistently both rear that fail to unlock and then unlock after a few lock/unlock cycles? Seems odd that they would both act the same way despite being separate parts.

[andrewwynn]

It is a little strange but part of why I said to try to open from inside when can't from outside. Also make sure child lock is not engaged. Makes it hell to get into the door for repair.