Doors locked when battery died

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by wuzilla

Sorry to bring this one back from the dead after 8 years, but ...

So, in this scenario, where there is no possibility of power, and obviously no keys, are these cars just forever locked until they go to the crusher? Any ideas for getting these doors open (in case I encounter in the future)?

I hint/tip was given back in 2012 (post #18) that described how central locking works. From model year (MY) 2000-up...if the BMW has been double-locked...you can follow those instructions to UNLOCK the doors. But this also will require power to the jump start terminals in the engine bay...or if you can get at the battery in the back below the cargo floor. Why? The interior central locking button will not work without power...that's why you need to supply some power with a portable jump pack to at least power the interior central locking button to release the door actuators from their double-lock position (since you don't have a key to manually disengage the actuator from double-lock).

If the BMW has been single-locked prior to it being hauled away (doors locked manually, or from the inside)...then manual unlocking of the doors can be done from the inside by pulling twice on the interior door handles.


See the info below that explains the difference between double-lock & single-lock...which should help understand why the e53s you're finding at the yards are difficult to open: