Central lock button inoperative
 

Our 06 has a new problem, the central locking will not work from the switch in the center console...need a new switch?
All key locking work
How hard is it to r/r console to replace the switch?

Try this
 

If you have the Bentely manual it will clearly outline where you need to pry the shifter trim up to get to the console trim. It basically comes up quite easily, then you tuck your hand underneath to push up on the console trim. Will take about 5 minutes or less. You'll want to inspect the the locking button itself to see if it is operable with the trim off before you order any part as they are typically not returnable (although BAVauto $45 was great in returning mine, but is not there policy to do so). The switch often will fail due to liquid spillage as to its location. However another cause is the actual housing it sits in can crack or break. When this occurs the button has no 'hold' when it is pressed down upon. That is, the button works but does not engage because the now cracked or broken housing allows the entire unit to push down. If this is the case you can repair it easily with what ever you have available to secure the housing to support the pressure of the button. If it is fried or damage due to liquid, order the part and it just snaps in.

good luck.

No need to remove the console. Look here for some pics.

http://www.xoutpost.com/894478-post36.html

Also, did you have any work done recently that required an extended battery disconnect? Locking might be set to manual only. You said all key locking works but does that include lock/unlock with the key fob button?

Read here: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...r-locking.html

This happened to me as well. I installed an aftermarket alarm and it fried my whole central locking system...

Hope yours is cheaper.

No aftermarket anything, I "hope" I can just change the switch, looks like about $20 for the part..and if what I am seeing from the above pix, it just "pops out" (yeah right, like it'll be that easy....not on a Bimmer)

Just be careful. Don't try to pry it by the top lip/edge. Get leverage lower on the switch. I think that's why the pick like tool worked better for me. The point was fine enough to go lower and also bite into the switch to pry it up.

Good luck!

If your looking to spend the least amount of money, take the shifter cover off then that switch has tabs that when you apply a small amount of pressure it should release then once its popped thru the bottom unhook the plug so it should maybe show that it seems broken, but not that badly, try holding some pressure against the switch and see if it now works, you should be able to make it work once again, so if that works, apply glue to those pieces then before you insert the switch apply a good amount of electrical tape to it so the switch does not split again, mine was pretty bad where bot the flasher and brake switches were fubar, so I have fixed mine now going on 3 plus years of glue and tape, and all is well, or spend around 60 dollars to just get a new one !! good luck !

Wholeo1955
So what you are saying is the you can get under the central lock/hazard switch from the shifter boot and pop it out?

Yes- I don't think I was clear in my first post when I spoke of center console trim. The Bentley manual describes the process as popping up the shifter trim at around 6 o'clock where there is a hidden insert area. Once that trim is carefully popped and propped up (should take about 1 to two minutes, I used an eyeglasses flathead screwdriver with tape on the end). Then you can cup your hand in the now exposed area of the shifter and you should easily be able to push up on the locking switch (It should readily push up and out of the console). You will then be able to examine the switch. It is encased in a plastic housing. A fair example would be the switch is like 52 playing cards, and the housing is the case for the cards. You will see what I mean when it pops out. Just like the card case that can fail over time due to overuse, or being pushed on, the housing often fails. The good news is that once you look at it it's a pretty easy McGyver fix; think superglue re-inforced with duct tape. Or, as mentioned you could buy a new switch. But, obviously it will be more fun, satisfying, and cheaper just to do the fix yourself, if in fact it is the housing surrounding the switch.