Stop Auto Door Locking and Steering Retraction
 

Have an '03 4.4 and wondering if there is a way to stop the doors from automatically locking upon reaching X mph, or a way to stop the steering wheel from going into the "parked" position when the ignition is turned off? Perhaps a fuse or service software function that disables either function? To me, these are both unnecessary actions that only increase the likelihood of failure of the door locks and/or the steering wheel parking motor. Would love to suppress either, and give thanks in advance for any advice!

Needs to be programmed. Usually the dealer will do this I think it's called something like comfort settings and is tied to a particular key. Eg wife's key lock the doors at 15mph, husband's key don't lock the door from speed.

Many people buy the windows software and interface cable I think called INPA to program their own car. BMW local club would likely have somebody that can help. There are dozens of settings that can be tweaked. I'm looking into iCarley device to program my and wife's cars.


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INPA is for servicing - NCSExpert is for coding options.

BMW Scanner 1.4.0 is the easiest way to change the door locking functions. I don't recall ever seeing a way to stop the steering column altering. The scan tool is available for download, well was when I was searching, or will come on a cd if you purchase the OBD - USB cable on eBay or similar. Takes some initial fiddling around with USB - com port config, but then its relatively idiot proof. It is useful for identifying fault codes as well as monitoring live data with lights and other coding options.

Stop Auto Door Locking and Steering Retraction
 

I have a way to stop the annoying steering column motion: move the steering wheel to the highest position and leave it there. I only move it down for long drives

I totally forgot that the car does that. It annoyed me early on and I discovered it won't move when already at the high limit.

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As short as I am the all the way up position is a no go.

Pa soft doesn't have anything for stopping it so its going to be via ncs expert. I just have to find out for sure which option it is... in german.

I spent several years in Germany when I was a child so I know some of the words but that only helps with 10% at the most of whats in there.

I WILL fix this one and it will be the next thing I do. It drives me up the wall.

I completely forgot about it when I was in there recently coding my highbeams to work with the bi-xenons or I would of tried then.

A thought: my wife's steering wheel doesn't move at all. I believe it has to do with the controller attached to the seat. You can look into the fuses related you could possibly find a way to disable. We can operate the seat manually but the memory doesn't work and the steering wheel is connected to the memory. Possible to disconnect the right wire and freeze the steering wheel.


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Responses make me hopeful
 

Thanks for so many responses, and your consideration.
Sounds like at least one, and maybe both, of these "features" can be messaged out of the vehicle with some software finesse.
I will watch for updates, while pursuing 1 or more of the software tools mentioned. Really appreciate it!

Ha, nice solution. Elegant. Unfortunately, I drive with the wheel totally down, I like it as vertical as possible, for who knows what reason. Always have. Can never see all my gauges....:-)

Look under
Module : IHKA


ELSV_EH_LAENGE -> aktiv -> nicht_aktiv

ELSV_EH_NEIGUNG -> aktiv -> nicht_aktiv

Click on the nicht_aktiv to deactivate the up and down and in and out of the steering wheel controls.