doors locked, wont unlock

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by weaksauce

nope, cant get the door open. its locked down tight.
even took a coat hanger and reached in and pulled the handle back in an attempt to unlock it from the inside and that didnt work either. just pulled back to the stop and never moved the lock plunger.

any other ideas before i take a brick to the window?

with that said, I am assuming the sunroof would be the easiest glass to replace, right? So if i can find a good used sunroof glass, it should be tinted already, and i wont have to worry about replacing the drivers glass which involves a lot more work.

Just call a locksmith that is familiar with BMW's, in the end that's what I had to do, took him all of 10 minutes to get in the car. Then go buy yourself a key, and send your old one off to the guy in the link below, he can repair them and then you'll have two working keys, that's what I did.

BMW General Module 5 (GMV, ZKE V)

[TerminatorX5]

General

A differentiation is made between locking and locking with arming with regard to the functions of the central locking system.
Locking without arming: The vehicle doors can be opened from the inside by pulling the door handle twice.
Locking with arming: The vehicle doors can be opened neither from the inside nor the inside.
”Locking with arming” is implemented when:

• Ignition lock is in position 0 and the vehicle key is removed
• The driver's or front passenger's door is opened after removing the key
• The driver's and front passenger's doors are closed
• The vehicle is locked via the door lock or remote control

The fuel filler flap is locked with the vehicle central arrest.

Emergency operation

In the event of electrical operation failing (e.g. discharged batteries) the door can be unlocked mechanically via the door lock.
Boot lid

Operation of the upper tailgate depends on the status of the central locking system.
When the vehicle is locked, the upper tailgate can only be unlocked by means of the pushbutton in the switch centre of the centre console.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Originally Posted by romeokc10

Just call a locksmith that is familiar with BMW's, in the end that's what I had to do, took him all of 10 minutes to get in the car. Then go buy yourself a key, and send your old one off to the guy in the link below, he can repair them and then you'll have two working keys, that's what I did.

BMW General Module 5 (GMV, ZKE V)

I don't think a locksmith is going to work. Its not that his key isn't turning in the tumbler, the actuators on the door are unable to send a signal to pop the locks open.

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

I don't think a locksmith is going to work. Its not that his key isn't turning in the tumbler, the actuators on the door are unable to send a signal to pop the locks open.

That's because the key cylinder/tumbler has broken inside, the cylinder/tumbler has a small rod with a four points that engages the acuator. The cylinder just spins but the rod doesn't turn the actuator, this is what happened to mine. If you search the forums you will see lots of threads about the cylinder failing. My locksmith used small airbags to pry the door open at the top corner just enough for him to insert a long metal but bendable rod inside the car to press the central unlocking button, took him all of 10-15 minutes and I was on my way home. I could be wrong but I'm sure this is what has happened to his car, he said the key turns 90 degrees left and right, it normally doesn't turn that far, that's a good sign right there that the cylinder has failed.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Hmmm, 90* is standard locking/unlocking isn't it? lol

Now I got to go see. I am intrigued. With my 01 and 04 I never used the cyl lock. I always used the remote.

[TerminatorX5]

on older ones (like my old E34), if the regular 60 degrees turn failed to unlock the doors, a slight pressure would turn the key to 90 degree position which would pop the plunger on the door... I guess, it is not the case any longer on the newer rides...

[weaksauce]

Originally Posted by weaksauce

also, like i said getting the door open enough to fit a coat hanger in isnt an issue. just cant do anything with it once i get it in there. pulling the door handle does no good, and it isn't stiff enough to push the central locking button anyhow.

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Hint, coat hanger.

hint, tried that.

[weaksauce]

Originally Posted by romeokc10

That's because the key cylinder/tumbler has broken inside, the cylinder/tumbler has a small rod with a four points that engages the acuator. The cylinder just spins but the rod doesn't turn the actuator, this is what happened to mine. If you search the forums you will see lots of threads about the cylinder failing. My locksmith used small airbags to pry the door open at the top corner just enough for him to insert a long metal but bendable rod inside the car to press the central unlocking button, took him all of 10-15 minutes and I was on my way home. I could be wrong but I'm sure this is what has happened to his car, he said the key turns 90 degrees left and right, it normally doesn't turn that far, that's a good sign right there that the cylinder has failed.

tried that this morning. got a strong rod in and pushed on teh central locking button and it didnt unlock.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Ah jesus!!!! I wouldn't blame you if you didn't take a brick through the window. Is there any power going to the X right now? I wonder if there is a complete failure of power. This is really strange and nothing I have ever heard about.

[weaksauce]

update:
i taped up the rear window and took a punch to it. knocked the glass out of it.
previously the regulator had failed and it was "rigged" in the up position.
climbed in the back seat and reached up front and put the key in and started the truck.
heard the doors un-double lock. pulled the handle and it opened.
climbed in and pulled it around to the garage

so, the central lock button is broken and falling out of the back of the casing. if i squeeze it the doors will lock and unlock fine.
so, it needs a central lock switch. problem #1

then i took the bolt out of the handle and pulled the lock cylinder out and found it was broken. a screwdriver test revealed the locks would all lock and unlock with the switch properly. so problem #2 is the lock cylinder.

so it got a replacement glass from the wrecking yard, a new regulator for that window to repair the previous failure point, a new central locking switch and a new door cylinder is on order from BMW and should be here mid week next week.

total cost:
glass $85
regulator $82
central locking switch $41
key cylinder pre-keyed $108
so cost of repair is $316 in parts. not as bad as it could have been.

Thanks for all the pointers guys. i really appreciate you guys trying to help!