'03 X5 stuck in parking lot - can't unlock
 

Hey guys, I just bought a '03 X5 for my wife and she's stuck in a parking lot and not able to open the drivers door. Both keys have dead batteries/dont' work so we can only use the manual feature of the key for the locks right now. Pretty sure there's not a lock cylinder on the passenger door or the tail gate, so are we screwed or is there a way we can get in and get her going?
Thanks in advance.
Having said that, ideas on best place to buy a new working key?

Welcome to the X5 support group! Sorry to hear that man.

There are ways to gain entry in that particular situation IIRC that have been posted somewhere here, sorry cant recall exactly. Someone will come along with that soon.

There is likely nothing wrong with your key, and the door cylinder is probably ok, but there are parts that break in the lock assembly that can be replaced. There are kits on Ebay with parts to repair the lock.

The remotes may just require re-syncing to work, there are instructions online and videos on youtube to do this.

All this is after you get the car open though. Good luck!

Replace the battery in them see if maybe they're already synced and hopefully they'll work with a fresh battery. Otherwise, you can't even break in the old fashioned way with a hanger cuz the door handle won't open from the inside, might have to break a window. Good luck.


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'03 X5 stuck in parking lot - can't unlock
 

You should be able to turn the key TWICE to unlock other doers. Also there is no replaceable battery on your SUV, look up how to reset your keys they should both work as remotes

I'm pretty sure the central locking shuts off and you can't unlock with the button. You can use traditional locksmith tricks like bending the door to get inside and pull the door handle on the opposite side.

Wear ear plugs you will set off the alarm unless you can turn the key in the door to disable the alarm.

When my door handle broke I had to use the window down trick for months (turn key to unlock position and hold) it will lower the windows and you can reach in and open from inside.

It is not clear why you can't get in: dead battery so auto down won't work? Door handle frozen/broken drivers door?

Follow up so we know.

You can only get new keys from dealer for about $200@. Try to reprogram them first.

If they are broken a guy will fix for $65 I think flat rate (more expensive if you tried to fix first)

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So, $208 later the car is home. I called a locksmith and he came out an used airbags to pry the door open a bit and then used a couple long rods to poke the unlock button on the center console to unlock the doors.
At this point I still need to figure out what to replace in the drivers door. Which part is the "carrier?" I'm assuming that is the problem, but not 100%. Just going off of how common I hear it is with the E53's. I did notice that when I put the key in the drivers door lock cylinder and turn it it feels as if something inside is disconnected, or like the lock is not operating the door lock inside the door mechanically, the key turns much easier than it did before.
A further note, I did notice when I pulled out the spare tire the other day to check the battery that the battery is less than a year old, obviously replaced by the previous owner. If the battery was replaced, is it likely that my keys just need to have the "resync" procedure to work? Also, I think step 1 of that is to lock and unlock the drivers door so if that's true, I cannot do the resync procedure until I fix the drivers door?
Sorry for so many questions guys, and I really appreciate all the answers an quick responses.

The carrier broken problem presents as can unlock can't open. It sounds more like your lock cylinder is broken.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9137ede1ec.png

See this part: there is a post out the back that does the magic. If that is broken off it will act like you describe.

Follow the YouTube videos showing how to replace the carrier and remove yours.

Once you get to the point of removing the lock cylinder it should be very clear if the lock cylinder is damaged.

If it is you can likely as I did for a spell use your pinky finger to lock/unlock the car while waiting for replacement parts.

Also: sync your keys and you have more options.


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Door lock cylinder removal

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EOfqu2h5DIs

Cylinder repair kit

http://m.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X3-E83-BMW...%257Ciid%253A2

Cylinder repair instructions

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tv2TK3fq10k

Pretty straightforward, shouldn't take you more than an hour for everything.


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Key reprogramming instructions

http://www.programyourkeys.com/BMW_X...ogramming.html

If that doesn't work, your battery is bad and you gotta cut the key open because it's glued together and unsolder the battery and resolver a new one. Not too difficult cutting the key open is pretty annoying though. Good luck with everything.


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Unused key will self discharge so make sure you exercise both before attempting to sync the keys. It takes an hour or two to get a useful charge on the keys. It's is not too difficult to cut open and solder in a new battery just make sure to use the proper rechargeable battery


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I'm sure he's been using his key everyday, if it hasn't charged by then…?


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