Actuator or GM5

F

fairzy

Member
Hello

I am trying to resolve an issue with my central locking and am unsure whether to replace the door lock actuator or get the GM5 repaired.

In short the passenger door intermittently doesn't unlock from the key fob (or the lock / unlock switch by the gearstick). It seems to be better in cold weather (indicating possible GM5?) but it sometimes requires several 'pumps' from the interior door handle to raise the pin and open the door (actuator??).

Is it possible to detect a GM5 fault by using a diagnostic scanner?

Any shared experience, or guidance on this would be really appreciated.
 
Looking forward to seeing what info you get on this, as mine has just started to do the same... it seems to 'stick' more when the car has been garaged in the warm weather (not that we've had much of that)...
 
Got some prices now - £40 to repair GM5 and £100 to replace door actuator... I just don't know which to do.
 
I have a similar problem.

My Z4 occasionally (once every couple of months) refuses to unlock anything with the keyfob. Strangely it will lock everything, but won’t unlock the doors, boot, fuel filler or centre console. It does however disable the alarm and turn on the courtesy light so it registers the keyfob signal is present.

When I get this error my locking button on the centre console also refuses to unlock the doors, boot etc, but again it does lock, just not unlock.

I also can't unlock the passenger door at all when I experience this issue, so have had to send the missus across the drivers seat on one occasion. The internal handle won't unlock the door at all but the drivers side does...

I was told it is probably the actuator but I have never got round to fixing it as it happens so rarely, I was also told to expect to pay 100 dabs.

The way I get around it is either run the reset procedure on the key (turn ignition to position 1 five times, then remove and hold lock button etc) or I have found if I press the internal locking button over a journey it can fix it after a few presses.

Given the fob disables the alarm and sets the courtesy light I assume the Actuator is a fair guess for my issue.

No idea if a code appears or not, I only bought my code reader last week and haven't had the issue for a while, although no codes were stored on my ECU when it was first plugged in except the expected misfire on #3, but that's another story.
 
Hi i would say its the GM5 Module as the same thing happened to my z4.
I wondered if it was the Actuater as the passenger door would lock but not unlock but as it would lock i though it must be ok as it was getting power to it to lock it but the the power to unlock it was not working.so i checked the fuses they were ok so i had a look around the net and found this website http://bmwgm5.info/index.html .
As you can see by reading on the site that it seems quite a common problem so i though i would give it a go and sent my GM5 off to have it repaired.
I got it back and after fitting it my door lock problem was solved.
I hope this helps :D
 
Thanks for your help - looks like I'll send the GM5 away - glad that it's the cheaper of the 2 options!

Just got to wait for the weather to sort itself out so I can be without windscreen wipers for a few days!!
 
If you drive your car without the GM5 bear in mine that the reversing sensors if you have them don't work with the GM5 taken out .
I realised went reverseing back in the garage,luckily i realised in time not to hit anything. :thumbsup:
 
fairzy said:
Thanks for your help - looks like I'll send the GM5 away - glad that it's the cheaper of the 2 options!

Just got to wait for the weather to sort itself out so I can be without windscreen wipers for a few days!!
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Can you let us know if getting the GM5 looked at fixes yours please?
 
Just a quick update on this, I finally got round to sending my GM5 module to the guys on eBay. It cost about £40 was returned in just a few days and has worked perfectly since.

Highly recommend getting this done! Now I don't need to lean across to let people in my car :-)
 
Good result! :thumbsup:

I'd say when in doubt, go ahead and repair the GM5, if it isn't the problem, it will be soon enough. :headbang:
 
fairzy said:
Just a quick update on this, I finally got round to sending my GM5 module to the guys on eBay. It cost about £40 was returned in just a few days and has worked perfectly since.

Highly recommend getting this done! Now I don't need to lean across to let people in my car :-)
Click to expand...

Cheers for that :thumbsup:
 
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