Key randomly locks doors

[paramax55]

This is really just information to help people who don't know...

I have a 2001 X5. The key has randomly started to lock the doors. What led me to confirm that it is the key was I tried to get in the car and the doors were locked - with the key on the inside (luckily I was home and I have more than one vehicle). I bought it used (of course) and I only have the one key (of course) but that doesn't matter because I don't lock my keys in the car and I don't lose my keys.

Several days later I was working on the car and I let the battery get pretty low. I stored the key outside the car this time and it locked the car on me again. No big deal this time - just push the button, right? The battery was dead and the locks wouldn't work. That's OK, just put the key in and do it mechanically - except that's electronic, too, on these "fancy" cars. Luckily the hood was popped and I had access to the charging lug.

I've had this car for more than 5 years so it's not like I just got it and started discovering these problems. But it has come on, suddenly, with a vingeance. If I leave this key anywhere near the car overnight, it will be locked by morning. At the very least I am going to give myself access to the positive side of the electrical system from outside of the car. Hopefully this saves someone from the same trouble I had.

[Salty B.]

I've gotten to the point with these crappy locks and door handles where I don't even bother locking it anymore. I don't leave things in it and hey good luck getting it started without a key, much less knowing how to drive a manual. But if you want to steal it, be my guest.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by paramax55

...

I've had this car for more than 5 years so it's not like I just got it and started discovering these problems. But it has come on, suddenly, with a vingeance. If I leave this key anywhere near the car overnight, it will be locked by morning. At the very least I am going to give myself access to the positive side of the electrical system from outside of the car. Hopefully this saves someone from the same trouble I had.

I've had my '01 for 4.5 years, and have had (am having?) problems with my one and only OEM diamond key, too (key not registering with the EWS, unless I flip it over, sometimes) . My X is currently a lawn ornament, due to fuel system and key problems. I went to the dealer last week to order a valet key, so I can tear apart my diamond key, and replace the battery and see if the wire trace that broke inside the key (when I cut it open 4.5 years ago, and couldn't use it to unlock the door remotely, until I resoldered it) needs to be fixed. Still waiting.

Anyway, maybe your key has a similar problem? If you have a backup key (I have a remote-only fob, and soon, a valet key for the ignition), you could open up your faulty? key, and check for internal problems.

Having locked myself out of my X before, I rigged a method to supply power to the battery, if it was to go dead. I have a small gauge charging cable extension (like comes with a battery charger/maintainer or trickle charger) hooked to the underhood battery + & - posts, and the other end is just behind the grille. I can use another car, jumpbox, or battery to supply power, and I have a 9v battery with leads attached, in a plastic bag tied to my receiver hitch (undernesath, unseen). I haven't tried using the 9v battery yet (it's a 10-year battery), but the cables do work with a jump box.

[paramax55]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

I've gotten to the point with these crappy locks and door handles where I don't even bother locking it anymore. I don't leave things in it and hey good luck getting it started without a key, much less knowing how to drive a manual. But if you want to steal it, be my guest.

We must have the only two manual e53s on the planet.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by paramax55

We must have the only two manual e53s on the planet.

Heh, yeah I've still never seen another for real. I did walk by a manual 1st-gen X3 at Costco the other day.

There's a number of us here tho, there's even a registry thread.

[X5chemist]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

I don't leave things in it and hey good luck getting it started without a key, much less knowing how to drive a manual. But if you want to steal it, be my guest.

Sounds like a challenge. I know I can do it with a few items. I did it to mine.

I've only see one manual E53. Unfortunately, I didn't get to drive it. It was being picked up by an insurance towing company. Maybe, someday, I'll get an opportunity to drive a manual or V8 E53.

[rwilson]

I seem to remember someone maintaining a list of manual e53's.

My 2006 is still running strong at 206,000 miles