Key randomly locks doors
 

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.

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.

internal key problem?
 

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.

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.

:confused:
Sounds like a challenge. :bustingup I know I can do it with a few items. :wow: I did it to mine. :p:

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. :cool:

manual thread
 

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

My 2006 is still running strong at 206,000 miles