New owner... a little confused.
 

Hello, I just purchased an 03 x5 3.0l over the weekend. I feel even with the few problems I got a good deal. Problems were cd player not working and the lock issue. Now this is where I need a little assistance I have tried the search funtion also and come up with this. First the problem is the driveradoor lock doesn't open or lock with the keyless fob or the center console. Now from what I have found is that its either a bad gm3 or its in the transport mode. My interior lights cone on when the door is open and my wipers work fine. It seems like the bad gm3 stories the lights wouldnt come on either... But hey what do I know its my second day as a bmw owner! Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

congrats on the buy, and welcome to the board.

tell us more:

the locking system locks all 4 locks in all doors when you use the key into keyhole in driver'ss door? yes/no
the locking system unlocks driver's lock first and the other 3 locks when you use the key in the keyhole? yes/no
the locking system unlocks all 4 locks in all doors when you use the key in keyhole? yes/no
the locking system locks all 4 locks when you press the center button with BMW logo on your key? yes/no
the locking system unlocks driver's door when you press the button closer to the blade on the remote key? yes/no
the second push unlocks the other 3 doors? yes/no
the locking system unlock all 4 doors when pushing the button closer to the blade on the key? yes/no
the hatch unlocks when you push the the buttun closer to the outer edge of the key? yes/no
all doors lock/unlock when you press the lock button in the center console? yes/no

the locking system locks all 4 locks in all doors when you use the key into keyhole in driver'ss door? yes electrically locks all other doors extreme mechanical locks driver door.

the locking system unlocks driver's lock first and the other 3 locks when you use the key in the keyhole? no

the locking system unlocks all 4 locks in all doors when you use the key in keyhole? yes electrically 3 and extreme mechanical to unlock drivers door.

the locking system locks all 4 locks when you press the center button with BMW logo on your key? no drivers door doesn't lock electically.

the locking system unlocks driver's door when you press the button closer to the blade on the remote key? no

the second push unlocks the other 3 doors? yes maybe even on the first press of unlock button

the locking system unlock all 4 doors when pushing the button closer to the blade on the key? no

the hatch unlocks when you push the the buttun closer to the outer edge of the key? yes

all doors lock/unlock when you press the lock button in the center console? no [/QUOTE]

Basically the remote functions properly from the outside for everything except drivers door. Inside center consol lock switch has no function and the door indicator light doesnt come on in the dash bute dome lights function properly. Thank you for a quick response also!

hmm.... it seems that we might have two separate issues at hand: the driver's door lock being "lazy" and the center button not working...

Let's start from the simple and then rev up to more complex...

lets start with central button...
there are fuses located in the glove compartment - are you familiar with their location? couple of fuses are for central locking (the term used by BMW, nothing to do with location of the button).
How handy are you with OhmMeter? can you locate the fuse box, find the right fuse (there is a legend) and test if the fuse is good?

Yeah I checked the fuses in the front and and in the rear, all ok.

when you try the remote, can you hear anything inside the driver's door? any faint attempts inside that you could hear?

I am going to go and check all fusea and I think you can hear it but will double check for sure.

Ok so I checked the three fuses in the locking system and three fuses with the center console. All ok, but then I hit lock with the fob and all doors locked. I unlock all and try again and all doora locked. Of course naturally I got excited tried it again and only three went down. I go to unlock and noe of the three operating doors unlock. I tried locking and unlocking a xouple of cycles and now it seems back yo original symptoms. Weird!

tell us kid, if you will disturb/molest the fuses again, will the locks work again? The reason I am asking, you might have some corrosion there...

other option is, that lock assembly might need to be cleaned up/relubricated - you already established that the locks work.

and the last one is the battery - it is a long shot, as this gremlin may or may not qualify as the battery issue...

Well I just drove it and the doors locked I am not sure but I could of pressed close with the fob. Well as soon as i go to get out of the car, I couldnt. I was locked in, i actually had to put the window down and reach out with the key and unlock the door.